Choosing the right hot water system for your home can save you a substantial amount of money in the long run. The key is to establish which system suits your household’s needs while cutting your energy bills and lowering your carbon emissions. Here is what you need to consider before making a purchase.
The Amount of Water You Need
The most efficient hot water system Perth locals typically choose takes into account energy usage. On average, 32% of the energy used in WA homes is for heating water. To select the best system for your home, calculate the amount of water your family needs. It depends on the number of people living in the house and the amount of water used during specific times of the day. Typically, smaller households opt for solar hot water units, heat pump or instantaneous systems powered by gas or electricity. Larger families with access to gas usually choose hot water systems with a storage tank. However, some solutions, such as a combination of solar systems and instantaneous hot water units, work for both smaller and larger households.
Space You Have
While some hot water systems require very little space, others have large tanks. Consider how much space you have for your unit. If you have a tiny space, then an instantaneous hot water system is the perfect solution. Solar-powered systems are the most demanding because they come with heavy tanks, and you also need north-facing roof space. Moreover, keep in mind that hot water system installation is more complicated if your taps are far from the hot water unit. You might need certain enhancements, or you might even need separate systems for different parts of the house.
Sources of Power
Which type of a hot water unit is best suited for your household depends on available sources of energy. With plenty of sunshine throughout the year, the Perth climate is ideal for solar systems. However, natural gas is usually the most efficient and cost-effective type of fuel. Gas systems are also faster than their electric counterparts. If they come with a pilot light, they can work even during a blackout. The most important positives of an electric system are that it can produce hot water on demand and that the tank is easy to install. On the other hand, negatives include high monthly bills and environmental concerns.
The Size of Your Budget
If you have a small initial budget, then you can choose one of the hot water systems that are cheaper and easier to install. However, if you have more money to invest, it pays off to buy a more expensive option that can lower your monthly bills. Heat pumps and solar-powered systems are pricey, but they are environmentally friendly and significantly cut your costs in the future. They will quickly pay for themselves, especially because you can claim government rebates when you install them. You should also count in the hot water system service and maintenance when you are calculating the costs. Heat pumps and solar systems have long life spans and require fewer repairs and maintenance services per year.
