The Ultimate Hot Water System Buying Guide
30th October 2024
What you need to know when shopping for the best hot water system for your home.
Whether you’re facing a sudden breakdown or planning an upgrade, choosing the right hot water system is essential for ensuring comfort and efficiency in your home. From traditional storage tank heaters to modern tankless models, in this article, we'll guide you through the considerations to help you find the perfect fit for your household
Which is the best hot water system for your home?
Today, when it comes to choosing the right hot water system for your home, you have four main options to consider:
- Gas hot water system;
- Electric hot water system;
- Solar and instant hot water system;
- Heat pump hot water system.
Choosing the best hot water system for your home depends on several factors. Apart from your budget, you should also consider how your choice relates to energy consumption. Did you know that second only to space heating and cooling water heating accounts for one of the largest share of energy usage in households? It is also the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions (up to 25%) in the average Australian home. However, opting for a renewable energy source can reduce or even eliminate these emissions.
Now let’s explore the considerations of each option.
Hot water system buying considerations
When it comes to choosing the best hot water system for your home, try not to be too hasty. Take the time to carefully weigh up the pros and cons of each system, considering your specific requirements. The key factors to think about include:
- Tank capacity
- Energy Star rating
- Installation and running costs
1. Gas hot water systems
Gas hot water systems are usually installed outdoors due to venting requirements. There are two main types:
- Continuous flow (Instantaneous) systems: These systems provide almost instant hot water and save space.
- Storage systems: While gas storage systems have larger tank capacity options, they are particularly inefficient, especially in cold climates. They have very high heat loss because it’s not possible to insulate at the point where the gas flame is heating the tank.
Considerations:
- Ignition options: You may be able to choose between a gas pilot light and electric ignition option on your hot water system. The pilot light only uses a negligible amount of gas, while the electric ignition is more economical. But, you can lose your hot water supply during a blackout with the electric ignition option.
- Tank size: The size of your holding tank will depend on the size of your household. However, instantaneous systems provide almost instant hot water while saving space.
- Energy-efficiency: Gas hot water systems come with energy-efficiency star ratings. Opt for the highest rating system you can maximise your energy savings.
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2. Solar hot water systems
A solar hot water system harnesses energy from the sun to heat water. To maximise efficiency, it should be installed in the sunniest spot possible. Considerations include:
- Tank size: You may want to consider buying a larger tank for less sunny days or increased hot water use.
- Booster element: Most solar hot water systems are equipped with a gas or electric booster element to maintain heat during periods of low sunlight.
Over time, the low running costs of a well-chosen solar hot water system should make up for the time-consuming and comparatively expensive installation costs. A solar water system can provide up to 90% of your hot water needs, without generating any greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Electric hot water system
An electric hot water system is usually relatively cheap to buy and install. However, it can be expensive to run at a continuous rate. Larger hot water systems are usually configured to off-peak rates, which are cheaper than peak rates. The water will usually be heated overnight. Unless powered by a solar PV system, electric storage water heaters generate the most greenhouse gas emissions, among all water heater types.
4. Heat pump system
Heat pump hot water systems, are a relatively new technology. They extract heat from the air to heat water, resulting in significantly lower energy consumption, compared to electric systems that directly heat the water.
There are two main types of heat pumps:
- Integrated: The tank and compressor are combined.
- Split: The tank and compressor are separate.
Although heat pumps may have higher upfront costs for purchase and installation, they are inexpensive to run in the long term.
Best hot water system for energy saving
Your choice of a hot water system should align with your household’s specific hot water needs, including those of your bathroom, laundry, and general use. Factors such as the number of occupants in your home and available space should also be considered. Additionally, government rebates and assistance programs may influence your decision-making process.
Generally speaking, solar and heat pump hot water systems can cost more upfront but save you money in the long term. These systems both use renewable energy sources to heat water and do not necessarily require solar panels to function. If you have roof space with good solar access, high-performance solar hot water systems are low in greenhouse gas emissions, especially in sunny climates with good solar radiation.
The final word
Correctly calculating the size of your hot water heater based on your family’s hot water requirements is crucial for maintaining energy-efficiency in your home.
When shopping for a new hot water system, pay attention to the energy efficiency ratings on gas hot water systems, and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for electric hot water systems.
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References
- https://www.yourhome.gov.au/energy/hot-water-service
- https://www.yourhome.gov.au/energy/hot-water-systems
- https://www.energy.gov.au/households/hot-water-systems#:~:text=Water%20heating%20is%20the%20second,emissions%20are%20reduced%20or%20eliminated.
- https://www.energyrating.gov.au/label
- https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/energy-efficiency-and-reducing-emissions/save-energy-in-the-home/water-heating/choose-the-right-hot-water-system/heat-pump-water-heaters
- https://www.energyrating.gov.au/consumer-information/products/water-heating
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