Solar Hot Water Systems
Water heating accounts
for about 30 percent of an average household's total greenhouse
gas emissions and about the same proportion of total household
energy use. Installing a solar water heater can greatly
reduce your energy bills as it will use energy from the
sun to heat water at zero cost.
Using solar energy to heat water produces
no harmful greenhouse gas emissions. A solar water heater
can provide between 50 percent and 90 percent of your
total hot water requirements, depending on the climate
and the model of heater.
The upfront cost of a solar water heater
(including installation) is higher than electric or gas
water heaters but energy bill savings will compensate
for this over time. Also there are widely available government
rebates and incentives which can greatly reduce the cost
of installation.
Most solar hot water systems
use solar collectors or panels to absorb energy from the
sun. Water is heated by the sun as it passes through the
collectors. It then flows into an insulated storage tank
for later use.
Gas Boosted Solar Hot Water
Systems
-
The most energy
efficient hot water system
-
Emitting the
least green house gas
-
Save between
50 and 90% on your hot water utilities dependant on
usage
-
Available in
tank sizes from 160 to 480 litres
-
Systems supplied
with one to four solar panels
-
Available with
gas boosters ranging from 18 litres/min to 32 litres/minute
-
Gas booster
units never run out of hot water while there is gas
available
-
Supplied in
either a close coupled system where the panels and tank
are on the roof. The booster can be installed on the
roof but it is usual for the booster to be at ground
level. The other alternative is a split system where
panels are on the roof and the tank and booster are
at the ground level
-
Solar panels
and tank can be used as preheater to an existing tank
-
High supply
and installation costs
-
Lowest running
costs of all hot water systems
-
Current government
rebates of up to $3500 apply
-
Water pressure
medium to high
-
Warranties
from 5 to 10 years
