How Many Types of Hot Water Systems Are There?
There’s more than one way to heat water.
Of course, you probably knew that. What you don’t know is how many there are or which hot water system is the best choice for you. Before you decide which product to select, it is essential to learn more about the technical properties.
Also, check important features like efficiency, energy consumption, safety, average life expectancy, and more. Besides that, if you are planning to install a water heater in your home, you should hire an expert in case that you are not familiar with that process. If you need plumbing and gas services, check out nationalplumbingandgas.com.au.
Here are some of the most common options available in Australia.
Electric Heaters
By far, the most common type of hot water heater in Australia is the electric system. It is easy to install, simple to use, and the upfront costs are relatively low.
However, the running costs are relatively high. Over time, you’ll end up paying out what you saved on the installation costs and more.
One of the best ways to lower your running costs is to limit the time it runs to off-peak hours when the electricity tariff is lower. Of course, you’ll need a large tank to hold water so that you don’t run out throughout the day.
The main advantages are cheap and simple installation, convenience when it comes to usability, effectiveness, and compact size. On the other side, some models might require a longer time to fill the tank with hot water, it requires electricity, and it might significantly increase your bills.
There are two most versions of electric heaters, conventional and tankless models. The advantage of using the standard one is that it will fill the tank with water and heat it, so you don’t need to worry about the supply. However, the main problem is that it will constantly use the power to maintain the temperature.
On the other side, tankless is a great option if you live in a smaller family or alone. It will instantly heat the water, and there is no need to keep it in the tank. The downsides are limited supply and higher cost.
Gas Heaters
Gas heaters are rising in popularity as natural gas lines are being run through more neighborhoods in Australia. Natural gas is less expensive than electricity, plus it can heat up the same amount of water much faster. Rates also don’t vary throughout the day so you can let it run and heat water whenever you need it.
One thing to consider is that gas is still a fossil fuel. The price is low for now, but that may change in the future as people push toward using renewable energy sources instead.
Installation is relatively quick but the cost is higher than for installing an electric heater. It can be even more effective than the electric version. Also, you can use as much hot water as you need since there are no limitations. On the other hand, it can be quite expensive when it comes to installation. Besides that, it is crucial to hire someone with proper knowledge and experience since making a mistake while installing gas system can lead to serious problems.
Solar Panel Heaters
For really cheap running costs, look to solar panels. Energy is so cheap it is basically free when you have a large enough solar panel system to heat your water.
However, the upfronts cost present a big barrier to entry. You can offset some of these costs by taking advantage of various tax breaks and other government incentives, but you’ll still pay something out of pocket.
You’ll also have to have a secondary heat source or a large holding tank to accommodate days without sunshine. It became a trend that more people are becoming aware of the importance of ecology and finding reliable and self-sustaining methods that will produce electricity without making an impact on nature.
Depending on the size of the panels, it can be very expensive. However, when you make a long-term calculation, this is a much more cost-efficient option. It is especially good to have this in Australia since the weather there is perfect to get out the most out of solar panels.
Heat Pump
A heat pump is basically a more efficient type of electric system. It uses small amounts of electricity to extract heat from the air, which is then used to heat the water.
Because the system uses so much less electricity, the running costs are extremely low. It also heats the water quickly, making it ideal for large households.
You will need to install a good ventilation system to provide proper ambient for the heat pump to operate. It is perfect for an area with fewer sunny days, or in combination with solar panels. You will save a lot of money over time since you can avoid gas and standard electric models.
Your Perfect Hot Water System
Find out what type of hot water system works best for you by talking to the experts. Doing your own research is great, but advice from the experts is invaluable when it comes to making your choice.
You should consider various factors to be sure that you are making the right choice. For example, if the price of electricity is very high in your area, there is no reason to choose electric models especially if you can use gas instead, or some other alternative.
Also, it is always a good idea to choose solar panels since it can provide long-term benefits, and you want leave any impact on the environment. However, the problem is if you live in a area with lots of clouds and rainy days since this system won’t be so effective.
