Hot Water Guide
Selecting the Best Hot Water System
Six questions that determine the right system for your household. We'll walk you through each, then quote three options.
Six questions that determine the right system for your household. We'll walk you through each, then quote three options.
1. How many people in the household? (sizes the tank or flow rate). 2. How many bathrooms running simultaneously? (peak flow). 3. Gas, electric or both available? (rules out non-options). 4. Roof orientation and shading? (eligibility for solar). 5. Budget split between up-front and running cost? (heat pump payback or not). 6. How long will you live in the home? (longer = better case for solar/heat pump).
Annual operating cost over 15-year horizon, including all rebates. A unit with $1,500 higher up-front cost that saves $400/year in running costs is dramatically cheaper over its lifespan. We'll show you the all-in comparison for three options.
Storage: 50L per person (more if you have spas, bathtubs). Continuous-flow: 16 L/min for 1 bath, 20 L/min for 2 baths, 26 L/min for 3+ baths. Account for peak simultaneous use (showers + washing machine + dishwasher).
Solar thermal and heat pump systems qualify for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) — typically $1,000–$2,000 off install cost. State schemes (Victorian Energy Upgrades, NSW Energy Savings Scheme) add more. We handle all paperwork as part of the install.