PLAN FOR EFFICIENCY
It is easy to take instant hot water for granted, until that dreaded day comes where the hot water cylinder has broken, or you grew up with lots of siblings and remember being the last one to the bathroom only to find all of the hot water was gone! With this in mind, are you sure that you have been using the most efficient hot water system for your household? Hot water can often contribute 30% of your power bill so it is vital to consider your genuine needs and available energy sources.
If you are planning a new build, renovation or you’re simply fed up with your current system then it may be time to consider all of the options available to you. Consider the size of your family, where you live and the surrounding environment, climate and avaiable energy sources (solar, gas, electricity etc.), whether the system will be located inside or outside and finally your budget.
ELECTRICAL STORED WATER HEATERS
These are the most common type of water heating system in New Zealand and have developed a long way over the years. The water is stored in a cylinder and is heated via and electrical element. In the past a lot of heat was lost and it was typically used as a room to dry out damp washing as it radiated so much heat, advances in insulation has had a great effect and these are now much more efficient at retaining heat requiring far less energy to keep your water warm. If you think your hot water cylinder is still losing a lot of heat through the outer casing, you may want to consider upgrading your cylinder to a modern and energy efficient upgrade.
As well as changes to insulation over the years there were also changes in the pressure valves. This change means that when using multiple taps or appliances at once you won’t notice those pressure or temperature changes as you used to. (You can confidently flush the toilet without scolding someone using the shower!)
Unfortunately the cylinders still take up a lot of space, often having a cupboard designed to house it. Some people are now moving the cylinders outside of the house to free up space inside, however this system will always need a decent amount of storage space to heat your water.
ELECTRICAL HOT WATER HEAT PUMP SYSTEM
It is easy to take instant hot water for granted, until that dreaded day comes where the hot water cylinder has broken, or you grew up with lots of siblings and remember being the last one to the bathroom only to find all of the hot water was gone! With this in mind, are you sure that you have been using the most efficient hot water system for your household? Hot water can often contribute 30% of your power bill so it is vital to consider your genuine needs and available energy sources.
If you are planning a new build, renovation or you’re simply fed up with your current system then it may be time to consider all of the options available to you. Consider the size of your family, where you live and the surrounding environment, climate and avaiable energy sources (solar, gas, electricity etc.), whether the system will be located inside or outside and finally your budget.
Similarly to a heat pump installed to keep your home warm, a electrical hot water heat pump uses a heat exchanger within the water cylinder. This system is much more efficient and therefore economical than an electrical stored water heater. However for this system to work the compressor must be outside of the building which often requires the entire system to be outside. This isn’t necessarily a problem but if you live in a cold part of the country it does mean that the outside temperature can have an effect on the sytems efficiency. To avoid this becoming a problem the pumps are generally 250L or larger to ensure a large storage of available hot water.
GAS FLOW WATER HEATERS
The main advantage of this system is undeniable, constant access to instant hot water. Hot water is created on demand as the water passes through a heat exchanger which activates as soon as a tap is turned on. Modern systems have advanced technologically so that it is only heating the correct amount of water at the right time to deliver high efficiency saving energy and money.
They also solve the space issue of the electrical cylinders as they are very compact. A system is attached to an outside wall close to a bathroom or kitchen and takes up very little room. They are then fed by either gas lines from the street or you can get full size LPG bottles delivered to your property to supply the system. It works out to be incredibly economical and efficient, especially if you are already or planning to use gas in your kitchen as well.
GAS FLOW WATER HEATERS
A solar system is the ultimate way to reduce the carbon footprint of you and your household. Water is heated by solar systems placed on the roof of your property and is then stored in a cylinder within the property for future use. Solar technology is always advancing and adapting however at the moment it is not possible to create nough hot water for the average kiwi family with this system alone and a gas or elecrtic back up is often required, especially if you have limited access to sun. However the solar system can make a big difference to your power bill even if you do use a back up. The initial installation costs are currently the most expensive hot water system available however it is capable of saving you money in the long run, and with more technological advancements on the horizon solar heated water will become more and more efficient.
Talk to a professional to discuss your options and which would be the most appropriate system for you.