Any one here had solar hot water or heat pump conected lattely? I'm looking at getting it done and after any opinions on type to get or efficient it is. I'm in Newcastle

Look at evacuated tube solar - it works at a lot more angles to the sun and is much lighter than flat panel solar, as there is even less water on the roof. We put one in about 18 months ago, and I don't think the booster heater has been turned on yet, although a lot of the time there is only Cathy at home, at the moment.

Heat pumps are OK, but can be noisy (although they are a lot better than they used to be), they are not quite as efficient, and have a lot more maintenance - mainly with the pump and compressor etc.

Lem me know if you want more info on brands etc, I have it at home and can get Cathy to bring it down to Newcastle on Saturday - she is coming to the Pit Stop Cruise with me.

I didn't get solar hot water, but solar panels, however I asked the installer about it and he was very confident that evacuated tubes are very efficient and work better than the traditional style solar hot water systems. He also said heat pumps work well also, but not as good as the evacuated tubes.

having had about 4 homes over the yrs with solar hws,i fnd it's the unit's position in relation to the taps ie the length (and insulation) of pipes the water must travel through!
esp around sthrn states as comprd to Qld etc. (nr of panels used also can change the outcome). trees can also obstruct sunlight!

check out reviews on the internet, heaps there, i think heat pumps had a bad wrap when i was looking, edwards was 1 of the best but they are all owned by 1 company now anyway

Gas cheap clean efficient,continuous

Quote:

Originally posted by glider69 Gas cheap clean efficient,continuous

Hey Donn, my parents are getting an evacuated tube one installed at the moment. Dad has done the research and like Jeff says, they are supposed to be the most efficient. My parents place has a lot of trees and 3/4 of the north facing roof is filled with solar panels already, so it will see a bit of shade. Their neighbours also suggested to get them to install a booster isolation switch, so you can eaily turn off the booster when you are going away or don't need much hot-hot water for a while, but still get it relatively free from the sun (jsut the cost of the pump). They contractor was a bit relectant to do it (extra work), so not sure if it's getting done, if not its a job for me

Heat pumps use about 1/3 that of a resistive element heater, but I havn't seen one yet that works on off peak tariffs, so although you are saving electricity and carbon emissions, you don't really save and $$ as you always pay the full price for the electricity it uses.

I would go solar anyday.

Yes I do agree on that Jeff....

My late father in law used to switch the off peak OFF when he went to bed and back ON in the morning... ??

I read recently where someone was switching their off peak Hot water Off for a couple of days...
so saved money on their electricty bill ... lol

Problem I would find... forget to turn it back on...

and a wife with no hot water ... YIKES....

Not worth the trouble..

LEE

We have never turned our elctric booster on yet, unless my wife has done it recently. Even last winter, the water was always warm enough for a shower in the morning, and of course, it just got hotter after that during the day. This means the only power our hot water is costing is the small amount for the circulation pump - no heating costs, which is the big user.

i've got regular panel solar water. Rheem. Had no problems. Turn on the tap, hot water comes out.