A hot water system can be an expensive part of your household's utility bills if not taken care of.
Having a home hot water system for you and your family is important, but knowing what to do to keep it working well will save you money in the long run.
Electric 50 Litre Hot Water Tank priced between $800 to $1500
Electric 315 Litre Hot Water Tank priced between $1,500 to $2,000
Indoor Gas 135 and 170 Litre priced between $1,500 to $2,500
Gas tankless (continuous flow) priced between $1,000 to $2,000
Keeping the temperature on your hot water tanks at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower will ensure that less energy is being used. It also makes sure that the tank itself has the longest life possible. Higher temperatures over 140 degrees could cause bacteria growth inside the tank that may result in clogs or leaks later on. By keeping the temperature lower, you are reducing levels of bacteria and thus, prolonging the life of your hot water tank or hot water installation and limiting the risk of leaks and other costly problems.
Insulated blankets can be purchased for your new hot water system, or hot water installation, or any of your hot water installations at most hardware stores to insulate it on top and prevent heat from escaping through convection. This will work especially well on those best hot water system tanks that sit outside or aren't completely covered with insulation. Make sure you do not cover the air vents of the heater as they need to be allowed to breathe during use.
Leaks are one of the greatest causes of higher energy costs in a home's hot water system because they force more warm water into a storage tank than necessary and increase heating costs accordingly. Hot water leaks can also cause damage to your home's floors and result in even higher repair costs. Always check around the bottom of your hot water tank for any signs of discolouration on the floor and look along with the valves for drips and wetness. A leak can occur right underneath your tank and you may not notice it without looking closely at the surface beneath it on a daily basis.
At least once every three months, drain out several gallons from your hot water tanks as this will help remove sediment build-up that could inhibit performance or produce leakage if left unattended. Simply turn off your heat source and open each of the taps to allow all the warm water inside to escape. Once finished, turn the heat source back on and refill the tank with cold water to see if there are any leaks or decreases in performance.
It is important not to drain your hot water system completely because this can damage your storage tanks due to overheating from the lack of cold water entering it. Pipes can also become clogged from sediment build-up, so always be sure you have a full storage tank before turning on your heat source again.
The average cost of a hot water system is around $1,000 for a conventional tank-style set up. If you opt in order to install an on-demand system instead, you could invest in one for around $2,000 to $3,000.
A new water heater will also require professional installation which might systems cost anywhere from $200 to $500 or more it varies widely depending on your area. Installation fees can vary so always ask a licensed plumber before work begins and get estimates beforehand to avoid sticker shock and blocked drain at the end of the job.The amount it costs to run your hot water system will depend on factors like the size of your tank, the technology you use (tank vs tankless) and how much you use. If you have an old-style tank heater, expect to pay between $30-$60 per month for household usage. Heaters that are larger or newer will cost less overall as they release more energy-efficient models into the market every year. They also typically last longer than older tanks which can save time and money in replacement costs down the road. Some manufacturers claim their tankless systems only cost $16-$24/month, however, this is because they don't factor in standby heat loss which occurs when a unit is not actively heating water. This could actually raise electricity bills, so the tankless systems are actually only slightly cheaper to use. With an average cost of $3,000, a tankless system will definitely have a large impact on your budget over time if being used daily for water heating. There may be rebates available for those who install these kinds of heaters as well as tax credits for using renewable energy sources which can help offset costs overall.
The installation of a hot water system involves connecting the gas or electric to the heater, tightening any piping connections and bringing power to it if using an electric unit. Installing a tankless hot water heater usually only requires 1-2 hours as there are no pipes to cut, venting required and electrical work involved. This makes them significantly easier to install which is reflected in the prices for this kind of technology. Tanking systems take longer and cost more due to needing larger tanks that must be properly vented and piped before they can be brought online. Electric units also need their power source installed prior to use and require an entire day's worth of labour because of these additional requirements.
They run using the same principles as your refrigerator does which is why they can be up to four times more efficient depending on your location. The only difference with a hot water system is that it draws heat from the air outside and transfers it inside where you need it most.
While your fridge uses the dense cold air as a cooling agent, your heat pump hot water system works by using the reverse process. It draws in warm air and forces it over a cold coil. This causes the heat to move into the coil and then into the water supply using a compressor, fan and pump system which transfers that heat to your hot water tank for storage. Heat pump hot water systems also require less maintenance than regular heating units but can be more expensive to run overall. However, depending on where you live they could use up 25% of the electricity required by conventional electric or gas-powered hot water heater systems.
They work by using panels similar to those on solar-powered homes that absorb the sun's rays and turn them into electricity which is then transferred directly onto your hot water usage heater tank. This process heats up your hot water unit supply so you can use it anytime during the day without worrying about running out of hot water.
Solar units are great for anyone who wants an environmentally friendly way to control their hot water heating costs.
How much it will cost to replace a hot water heater in Australia can depend on whether you choose to use electric boosted, solar system, water heaters, gas fitters, hot water unit, heat pump systems, gas hot water heaters, electric hot water systems, solar hot water system, solar water heaters, electric systems, heat pump water heaters, electric water heaters, solar or another renewable energy source exclusively.
There are costs associated with installation and ongoing costs as well as any additional service call desired such as tankless, electric counterparts, energy rating, electric power and instantaneous hot water heating systems which require unique technologies and special ventilation.
Installation costs and costs for replacing standard gas and electric systems, hot water heaters without those extra features typically range from $1,500 to $2,000. Those who would like to install hot water systems such as tankless heat water technology, gas water heaters should expect to pay $3,000 to $5,000 depending on the size as well as how long they plan to keep that system installed.For more information on hot water systems, take a look at energy.gov,au.