Comparison of Hot Water Systems

solarcomm — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 07:41:52 +0000

Electric hot water systems typically account for more than one-third of home energy use in New South Wales. That’s a huge chunk of your household budget!
To avoid wasting money on an expensive and unnecessary hot water system, before installing you first need to decide whether an instantaneous or storage system will work best for your home, and then consider your fuel options.

An instantaneous system heats water only as required, while a storage system stores the heated water in an insulated tank for use on demand.

Among the heating fuels to choose from are natural gas, solar, heat pumps, LPG (liquid petroleum gas), solid fuels and electricity.

If you are connected to natural gas, a high efficiency gas hot water system is one of the cheapest hot water options, but the most economic and environmentally friendly choice is a natural gas boosted solar system. Water heated by electricity – which in New South Wales is mostly generated from coal-fired power stations – causes the most carbon emissions, as well as costing the most.

The following table is a comparative guide on running costs for the most common fuel options.

Running costs

Household size	Energy source	Type	Annual cost ~
Small 1- 2 people 77 litres per day	Gas	Instantaneous	$215
	Gas	LPG	$529
	Electricity	Cont – DR^	$610
	Electricity	Off Peak	$357
	Solar	Gas boosted	$98
	Solar	Electric off peak boost	$125
Medium 3- 5 people 156 litres per day	Gas	Instantaneous	$360
	Gas	LPG	$901
	Electricity	Cont – DR^	$1111
	Electricity	Off Peak	$563
	Solar	Gas boosted	$183
	Solar	Electric off peak boost	$197
Large 6- 8 people 300 litres per day	Gas	Instantaneous	$497
	Gas	LPG	$1254
	Electricity	Cont – DR^	$1589
	Electricity	Off Peak	$759
	Solar	Gas boosted	$261
	Solar	Electric off peak boost	$266

~ Approximate per annum. Based on 32 cents/kWh and 2 cents/MJ

^ Continuous – Time of Use (TOU). It is assumed that TOU hot water usage is spread evenly between peak, shoulder and off peak periods.

Source: www.environment.nsw.gov.au

Welcome to our new website

solarcomm — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 07:22:59 +0000

We’re happy to announce the launch of Solarcomm’s new website!

If you have any questions about having a Stand-Alone Solar Power System designed and installed for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Next to launch will be our Facebook page where you can stay in touch with latest news on the renewable energy scene as well as simple everyday advice to help you become more environmentally sustainable and energy efficient.

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Comparison of Hot Water Systems

Running costs

Welcome to our new website