Energy-Efficient Hot Water

Hot water systems play a vital role in Australian households. The sizable portion of the energy used for heating water is a testament to this fact. The product is used in several parts of the home. The kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room are high on this list. For more information on this, you can visit: https://www.energy.gov.au/.

Considering how essential these systems are, using energy-inefficient options can be very costly. As a result, energy-efficient options should be explored. That is exactly what this article aims to do. So, keep reading to find out more.

Exploring the Options for Energy-Efficient Hot Water Systems

Several energy-efficient hot water systems are available for Australians. However, the best option for you and your household would be determined by factors including your household needs, climate, environmental impact, maintenance, durability, and cost. By and large, some of the available options include:

Gas Systems

They are fueled by natural gas and so they should be only considered in areas where natural gas is very accessible. They can either be storage or instantaneous systems. The instantaneous option is more energy efficient given how it heats water when needed. Generally speaking, one major problem with this option is its environmental impact. The natural gas used to fuel it leaves a significant carbon footprint.

Electric Instantaneous Water Heater

This option rules out the need for storage tanks. This is given how the water is instantly heated as it passes through the heater’s unit. This option is one of the best in terms of energy efficiency. However, this is usually as long as it is for small-scale needs. It is usually not the best for high-demand situations.

Electric Heat Pump

The use of electricity for heating is what this option has in common with the aforementioned option. But unlike the instantaneous heater, this one works with a storage tank. As a result, heating does not happen instantly. It works by transferring heat from the ground or even the air using electricity. It does not do badly in terms of energy efficiency. However, electric heat pumps are not as good as gas or solar systems in this regard.

Solar Systems

Beyond energy efficiency, these systems boast eco-friendliness as a prominent feature. However, they are heavily reliant on sunshine which makes them unrealistic for certain parts of the country that gets very little sunshine. There are two major types of solar systems and they are:

Flat Plate Collector

These are traditional panels. These panels absorb heat from the sun; which is eventually transferred for heating water. As a result, this type is very reliant on sunshine for its operations.

Evacuated Tube Collector

This option makes it possible for people in cooler areas to still make the most of solar power for this purpose. This is because it is designed to trap the sun’s heat with its glass tubes. Besides solely using solar hot water systems, it is also possible for solar to be integrated with several other systems. This is to make up for periods when sunshine is not forthcoming. Gas and electric boosters are usually the go-to options for these kinds of integration.

Heat Pump Systems

This option is very energy efficient. Its efficiency is such that it produces several times more heat than the consumed power. Furthermore, it is suitable for various kinds of climates. It works by heating with extracted heat gathered from the surrounding air.

Choosing an Energy-Efficient Hot Water System

Several systems can be considered as discussed above. However, it is of utmost importance that the right choice is made. The right choice would be influenced by factors such as:

Household Needs

Some of the options discussed early on are energy efficient as long as they are engaged for small demands. The same cannot be said for high-demand situations. Electric instantaneous water heaters are prime examples. This implies that you need to be aware of your needs before choosing any of the options.

Environmental Impact

How do you define energy efficiency? Does your definition include eco-friendly solutions? If it does (as it should), you should know that some of the discussed hot water systems are not eco-friendly. Gas systems are prime examples as they contribute significantly to the emission of greenhouse gases. So, they are not considered an ideal option by people who would only consider eco-friendly options. On the other hand, some systems are great when it comes to eco-friendliness. Solar systems in the form of flat plate or evacuated tube collectors are very high on this list.

Location & Climate

For example, solar systems are effective in areas that experience good-enough sunshine. This rules out parts of the country that do not fit this description. By and large, location is important in making the right choice. For example, you need to be certain that access to natural gas would not be a problem if you opt for gas systems.

Maintenance

You should not only think about the upfront cost of buying and installing the system. Operational costs including maintenance costs should be considered as well. This is important as some options are easier to maintain than others. Regardless of whichever system you end up with, proper maintenance should be seen as a priority and this requires the services of professionals. You can click here for more information on this professional maintenance service.

Durability

You should equally be interested in how long you are guaranteed to use the hot water solution system. This largely determines if it will be worth it or a waste of time and resources.

Cost

How affordable is the system? Are there flexible payment structures? Are there government incentives that cover a portion of the cost? Answers to these questions can influence your choice.

Conclusion

Getting hot water is essential essentially for households in Australia. As a result, quite a lot of consumed energy goes into heating water. Using energy-efficient water heating solutions will help a lot. To this end, quite a lot has been discussed on this subject. You should make the right water heating system choice by taking note of the several factors discussed here.