Everything You Need to Know About Solar Hot Water Systems

Why Choose a Solar Hot Water System?

Considering having a solar hot water system installed at your home? There are many financial and environmental benefits a solar option for your hot water system can offer over gas and electric options.

Solar Hot Water Systems:

1. Save you money on energy costs. Since they rely on free energy from the sun, solar hot water (SHW) systems will help you save on your energy or gas bill.

2. Are more efficient.SHW systems can help reduce water loss thanks to their high efficiency.

3. Reduce carbon emissions.If you want to do your part for the environment, installing a SHW system is a great way to reduce household emissions.

4. Come with all weather protection.All solar options that we recommend at iBreeze are designed to withstand harsh Australian climates.

5. Are available with booster options.Get hot water even during cloudy or rainy weather with electric or instantaneous gas boosting.

6. Are eligible for financial benefits.You can offset the cost of installing a SHWsystem thanks to government rebates.

7. Add value to your home. An efficient solar hw system can add value to your home, should you wish to sell it later on.

Solar vs Gas and Electric Hot Water Systems

With so many options available, it’s hard to know which system is better. Let’s take a look at how solar stacks up against gas and electric hot water system options.

1. Cost – Gas and Electric systems have lower upfront costs than solar options. However, solar systems are far cheaper to run and provide a better return for investment in the long run. What’s more, with SHW systems, you are eligible for generous rebates and subsidies from the government.

2. Efficiency – Gas systems are particularly inefficient and experience high heat loss, especially in cold climates. Systems run by solar power are very efficient in hot/warm climates which receive a lot of sun. In colder climates, a booster may be required.

3. Environmental Impact – SHWsystems have the lowest impact on the environment by far since they harness the clean energy of the sun.

How Roof-Mounted Solar Hot Water Systems Work

Solar HW systems harness sun energy to heat water for your home. They are particularly effective in places like Perth where we are blessed with many warm and sunny days throughout the year. For cloudy or rainy days, most SHW systems come with an electric or gas booster to ensure you still have access to hot water when you need it.

For roof mounted SHW systems, solar collectors are installed on the roof, facing a northerly direction in order to receive the most sunlight throughout the day. The water tank may also be located on the roof (flat plate systems) or on the ground (evacuated tube collectors).

The sun heats the water in the collector which then moves into the tank. The hot water naturally rises to the top of the tank and is then made available to the house through a gravity feed or a pump. The cold water at the bottom of the tank is fed into the collector so that it can heat up. This cycle continues, ensuring your home has hot water on demand.

Solar HW vs Solar PV Systems

They’re both solar systems that can help you save money and lower your energy consumption – so what’s the difference between a SHW system and a solar PV system? They are actually two very different types of technology. Solar hot water systems use the direct heat of the sun to heat up your water whereas solar photovoltaics (PV) converts sun energy into electricity.

SHW systems have a sole focus on heating up your water while PV systems can supply electricity to power your home’s appliances. PV systems are a great choice if you are already considering installing solar panels Mandurah to power the rest of your home. However, if you are simply looking to heat your water via solar, a SHW system will do the job well.

An Alternative Solution: iStore Heat Pumps

For an alternative solution that is kinder to the environment and will save you money on heating your water, consider iStore Heat Pump. This innovative technology converts air into hot water via the transfer of thermal energy and can reduce your energy consumption by two thirds from electric or gas systems.

How does it work? A fan draws air across the evaporator. The evaporator turns the liquid refrigerant into a gas and then the compressor heats it up. This hot gas heats the water inside the tank before the refrigerant reverts back into a liquid and the cycle continues.

How Much Do SHW Systems Cost?

Solar options can cost anywhere between $3000 and $7000 to purchase and install. The price depends on the type of system you purchase – flat plate, evacuated tube or heat pumps. A gas booster will cost more compared to an electric booster, and split systems will be more expensive than roof-mounted hot water storage tanks.

Looking for affordable solar hot water in Mandurah or Perth? Get in touch with the team at iBreeze! We would be happy to provide you with tailored, trustworthy advice and an obligation free quote. We offer deeply discounted prices on hot water equipment and only ever recommend the very best in heat pump and solar products. We can also arrange SHW installation throughout the Perth and Peel regions.