Did you feel that cold snap last week? With winter kicking in, its time to get warm and heat up. Here we review water heating system options so you can choose wisely for your needs.
Whether you’re choosing a new hot water system or using the one you already have, there are some easy ways to reduce your energy use without compromising on convenience.
About 30% of an average household’s energy use goes on water heating, but you may be using more energy than you need to get the hot water you want.Cutting out the hot water waste and choosing an efficient new system will lower your energy bills and your carbon footprint. When comparing water heating systems bear in mind some are more efficient than others, and efficiency can also vary between models of the same type.
Cylinders; Gas and Electric
Hot water cylinders are a traditional way of heating and storing hot water. They can be electric or gas and have an element that heats the water in an insulated tank to a temperature set by a thermostat. The upfront cost is relatively cheap, however running costs can be high and are less efficient than other water heating available. In situations where there is already an existing electric or gas powered cylinder, efficiency can be improved with insulating wrap, pipe lagging and other measures.
Hot Water Heat Pumps
Hot water heat pumps offer the most efficient electricity-based option. Heat pump water heaters use energy from ambient air temperatures (like ceiling space, under house, your garage or outdoors) to heat water, which is stored in an insulated hot water tank. A well-designed and installed system can reduce costs by up to 70%. They provide quicker returns on your investment.
Continuous Gas Heating Systems
Wetbacks are a good option if you intend having a fireplace as your primary space heater. The heated water can be stored for later use, either in a proprietary storage tank or plumbed to a hot water cylinder which means less energy is required to heat the water as it’s been “pre-heated”.
Solar Water Heating
Solar water heating systems capture heat from the sun, which is stored in an insulated hot water tank. It can also be connected to your existing hot water cylinder to “pre-heat” the water before it enters the cylinder. A well-designed and installed system will meet 50-75% of your hot water needs using the sun’s free energy. The remainder will come from your electric, gas or other booster.
Wetbacks
Wetbacks are a good option if you intend having a fireplace as your primary space heater. The heated water can be stored for later use, either in a proprietary storage tank or plumbed to a hot water cylinder which means less energy is required to heat the water as it’s been “pre-heated”.
What to look for and think about when looking at your next house
Knowing how your household uses hot water will help you make better choices about getting the best energy efficiency and value for money.
- How big is your household, now and in the future?
- How and when you use hot water?
- How much are you paying now? Check your bills from over the last 12 months.
- How close together are the parts of your house that need water? If building new or renovating, aim to have all areas which require hot water close together – your bathroom, kitchen, toilets and laundry.
- Upfront costs
- Ongoing running costs
If you’re house hunting and not sure of what water heating a property has, or what condition it is in, let the team at HomeBuyers Reports help you. We will provide a clear report about the defects and systems in the property and the potential cost of repairs. Check out our get a quote page.