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SOLAR HOT WATER
What do I need to know about solar hot water?
Hot water accounts for around a quarter of household energy costs and around 20 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar hot water systems use the power of the sun, collected from solar panels mounted on the roof of a house to heat water for use in the bathroom, laundry and kitchen. They produce much less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional gas or electric systems. In areas with gas reticulation, a solar water heater boosted with natural gas or a solar water heater that does not incorporate booster heating is required. Government rebates can dramatically reduce the upfront cost of a solar hot water system.
What is a solar hot water system?
Solar hot water systems consist of solar collector panels on the roof of a building and a storage tank. The sun's rays heat the water much the same as water in a hose left on the lawn on a hot day. Because they only generate hot water when the sun is shining, they are generally equipped with a gas or electric booster to ensure you don't run out.
Some systems have the storage tank and the solar collector panels on the roof. However, if you don't like the look of the storage tank on the roof or if your roof can't support the weight - you can choose a pumped system that has only the collector panels on the roof, while the tank is at ground level.
What solar hot water systems are compliant?
Solar hot water systems must achieve a minimum energy performance of 60 per cent solar gain as measured by the Australian Standard for solar hot water systems AS 4234-1994 "Solar water heaters - Domestic and heat pump - Calculation of energy consumption". It is worth looking at the electric and gas-boosted solar water heaters that achieve the performance set down in the standard.