The Hot Water Guide

So, it’s finally happened. Your hot water system, faithful for so many years, has filled its final tank and gone silent. If you’re lucky, you’ll have spotted the problem when washing your hands or filling the kettle. If you’re less lucky, you’ll be taking a much-needed shower after a long and bitterly-cold winter day and find yourself yelping with fright in a very compromising position.

Either way, your system is dead. Or maybe its showing signs of being on the way out, and you’re getting in early to avoid any unpleasant bath time surprises. Or maybe you’re wondering how you can reduce your household’s environmental impact. Or maybe your system is in good working order, but you caught a glance at the figure on your latest hot water bill and yelped with fright for a different reason.

There’s a bunch of reasons why people need to change their hot water system, but we can all agree that going through the process of browsing through systems, and looking at number after number, and being given endless pitches from salespeople with cartoon dollar signs in their eyes is tiring. It’s the kind of thing you want to get right at the first time of asking.

Take a look at our guide below to learn what kind of hot water system is right for your home:

Solar Hot Water:

Solar hot water systems are the ultimate option for homeowners looking to save money on their bills and significantly reduce their environmental impact. Solar hot water systems are installed on your roof, and work by absorbing the sun’s rays to heat your hot water tank. By using the sun to heat your water, you’re bypassing finite energy sources like gas and electricity – reducing your household’s environmental impact. Solar hot water can be harnessed by either a flat panel or evacuated tube system. Flat panel systems are customisable, meaning your tank can be installed at ground level or on your roof; depending on how much space you have and the look you prefer. Both systems work the same – they collect, store and harness energy from the sun – the only major differences being that evacuated tubes are a newer technology and have a greater surface area thanks to their unique round design, which allows them to collect energy from wherever the sun is sitting in the sky, rather than relying on the sun sitting at a particular angle, increasing their productivity and energy efficiency throughout the day.

Everybody! Solar hot water systems are a popular technology, and come in a range of colours, sizes and price points. Thanks to the option of installing the tank on your roof, even homes with smaller outdoor spaces can enjoy the benefits of solar hot water. A range of brands manufacture solar hot water systems, with many of them being aesthetically conscious and offering coloured systems that can blend into any roof. The sun is the best energy resource that we have. The sun is free, and the sun is infinite – the energy you produce today can be produced again tomorrow. And yes, solar hot water systems still produce energy on overcast days.

If you live in Victoria, you might be eligible for a $1,000 rebate if you install a new solar hot water system.

CLICK HERE TO SEE G-STORE’S RANGE OF SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEMS.

Gas instantaneous has long been one of the most popular hot water options on the market for homes and businesses alike. A gas system works by heating water as its needed when the tap is turned on, meaning it doesn’t burn energy when water isn’t required. A big advantage of gas instantaneous is that, unlike other systems, a gas system doesn’t store a reserve of water at a continually optimal temperature.

Because they don’t require a tank to operate, gas systems are great for the space-conscious home owner. These tankless units are wall mountable, and you can mount them outdoors with peace of mind thanks to their ability to thrive in extreme heat and extreme cold alike. Gas systems can run on propane or natural gas, meaning they’re adaptable to your energy source. By only producing hot water when needed, gas instantaneous systems are an environmentally friendly option. Gas instantaneous systems are energy efficient, and switching will save you money by cutting money from your bills. It’s worth noting that a gas instantaneous hot water system can cost more up front than an alternative system, but the consistent savings you’ll make every month ensure that the system should effectively pay itself off over the first handful of years.

If you’re in a position to spend a little extra up front so you can feel the financial and environmental savings as time goes by, a gas instantaneous system may be for you.

CLICK HERE TO SEE G-STORE’S RANGE OF GAS INSTANTANEOUS HOT WATER SYSTEMS.

Electric Hot Water:

Electric hot water units operate by heating water from the source. They’re a less popular option since the advance in solar hot water technology, but they’re relatively inexpensive hot water solution that can suit families on a budget that require a high demand for hot water.

CLICK HERE TO SEE G-STORE’S RANGE OF ELECTRIC HOT WATER SYSTEMS.

Hot water boosters are a great peace-of-mind addition to any household. Solar hot water will be at its most efficient on sunny days, and whilst they won’t lose functionality when the weather is cloudy or rainy, they may produce less water than they otherwise would. Whilst it’s unlikely you’ll ever run out with solar, having a gas booster on hand is great insurance if you’re having guests, just to make sure that freezing cold moment in the shower never happens.

CLICK HERE TO SEE G-STORE’S RANGE OF HOT WATER BOOSTERS.