Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Feb 21, 2013 8:07 am Ok so I have next to no knowledge on hot water systems but here is our situation- We are having a 6kw solar panel system put on our new house and everything is running on electricity except the hot water which is gas. Our builder has just called us up and we are going to meet with the plumber about a new electric system that uses some new technology (cant remember exactly what they said!) that we can upgrade to for an extra $2900 so we have everything running on electricity and will eliminate the need for a gas bill just for our hot water. The solar system we have chosen has an add on option for extra panels and should create a fair amount of electricity as it already is but I am unsure exactly how much and whether it will be worth paying the nearly $3k just so we don't have a gas bill? Anyone have any knowledge on this subject or would know what electric hot water system they are referring to? I will definitely be getting more details from the plumber asap but would like to do my own research in the mean time as these variations are sure adding up to be HUGE!! Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 3Feb 21, 2013 10:19 am We are totally electric here-including electric boosted solar hot water. We have a minimum sized 1.5kw feed in solar system as well. We have had no problems with our hot water and our electricity bill is minimal-actualy, for 6 months of the year it is in credit! PaulMac-why would you never have electric hot water? We have had both gas & electric over the years. Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 4Feb 21, 2013 10:43 am Deemaree We are totally electric here-including electric boosted solar hot water. We have a minimum sized 1.5kw feed in solar system as well. We have had no problems with our hot water and our electricity bill is minimal-actualy, for 6 months of the year it is in credit! PaulMac-why would you never have electric hot water? We have had both gas & electric over the years. Hi DM. We will have a 3KW solar electric system, and a solar hot water system. Plus all lights will be LED. Aspect is north. Not sure where you are - but all year round - is the electric bill good ? Any tips ? We're in SEQ. Re gas Vs elect HW - like many things I'd say its just personal needs. We like electric but know friends who love gas (natural). Mind you - our house is "all" electric. Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 5Feb 21, 2013 11:05 am We are in lower SA so its not all that sunny throughout the winter but hoping by having a larger system it will combat that. I also thought the upgrade cost was pretty huge so it would want to be a darn good system! Will find out more in an hour and see what they say about it. Just seems a waste to have one thing in the whole house on gas and therefore another bill every 3 months if we can eliminate it! Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 6Feb 21, 2013 11:10 am SW Victoria-20km inland. We are on tank water & septic, so every time you turn on a tap or flush the loo it uses electricity! Our bills are currently averaging a little under $1000/annum-or $250/quarter. We do have a good feed in tariff, have kept down lights to a minimum, use the eco powerboards for TVs etc and have replaced most globes with LEDS. Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 7Feb 21, 2013 12:09 pm Deemaree We are totally electric here-including electric boosted solar hot water. We have a minimum sized 1.5kw feed in solar system as well. We have had no problems with our hot water and our electricity bill is minimal-actualy, for 6 months of the year it is in credit! PaulMac-why would you never have electric hot water? We have had both gas & electric over the years. Dee, I like the fact that we're only using gas when we need hot water, rather than having a tank constantly using electricity to keep the water hot. Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 8Feb 21, 2013 12:34 pm If you do end up going gas definately buy a condensing HWS like the Rinnai envio. In summer (when our heating is off) our gas bill drops to next to nothing. They are 6star rated and ours at this rate it will pay itself off in two years (compared to our old HWS) Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 9Feb 21, 2013 12:57 pm sceen7 If you do end up going gas definately buy a condensing HWS like the Rinnai envio. In summer (when our heating is off) our gas bill drops to next to nothing. They are 6star rated and ours at this rate it will pay itself off in two years (compared to our old HWS) Agree 100% Oh and the other bonus being able to dial in the temperature, no need for cold water mixing.. Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 10Feb 21, 2013 1:42 pm PaulMac Deemaree We are totally electric here-including electric boosted solar hot water. We have a minimum sized 1.5kw feed in solar system as well. We have had no problems with our hot water and our electricity bill is minimal-actualy, for 6 months of the year it is in credit! PaulMac-why would you never have electric hot water? We have had both gas & electric over the years. Dee, I like the fact that we're only using gas when we need hot water, rather than having a tank constantly using electricity to keep the water hot. Fair enough. Not an option for us as only bottled gas available-having done that in the past and "enjoying" the experience of having a bottle run out mid shower is not something I care to repeat! Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 11Feb 21, 2013 2:56 pm Quote: "DeemareeFair enough. Not an option for us as only bottled gas available-having done that in the past and "enjoying" the experience of having a bottle run out mid shower is not something I care to repeat! Yes, definately not a fan of bottle gas... Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 12Feb 21, 2013 5:04 pm We are also 100% electric, as no natural gas within 10km, bottled LPG only I have a 3.2kW solar power system and run the electric hot water in off peak (pay extra for 100% greenpower) so we only pay 12c/unit instead of 24c standard rate. we get the feed in tarriff and export almost all our daytime power and end up with positive bills. essentially it is a solar powered hot water system. I think the extra $2900 would be for a heat pump unit which is 3 times more efficient than a regular electric system, but if you have good sunshine I imagine that a solar system with electric boost would consume less power. instantaneous gas is very efficient but if its on bottles it could be expensive as heating water does use a lot of heat. I love gas for cooking but was curious about induction cooking and it has been a great compromise. no gas bottles at all and very receptive cooking using induction. and still positive energy bills. go all electric is my suggestion Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 14Mar 10, 2013 1:34 pm Can you run off-peak on a solar HW system. I mean - are there any problems etc ? Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 15Mar 10, 2013 6:09 pm Saint Mike Can you run off-peak on a solar HW system. I mean - are there any problems etc ? You can connect your system to off-peak tarrif electricity. The drawback comes when you run out of hot water and the tank needs to reheat. The system can't do so until the wee hours of the morning, so you could be without hot water all day if you use it all up (other than what the solar can reheat). You also need to be aware that off-peak electricity is being phased out (imagined green issues), so youll be paying full rate soon anyway. Everyone also needs to be aware that electric storage hot water units are going to be near "illegal" for new builds/renovations in many states soon and buying a replacement unit for a dead system will be near impossible down the track. Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 16Mar 12, 2013 5:11 pm Saint Mike Can you run off-peak on a solar HW system. I mean - are there any problems etc ? There are two different types of off-peak power, you can run it off Tariff 33 or Tariff 31. Quote: Tariff 31 Tariff 31 is known as the Super Economy Plan and is the cheapest off-peak tariff available for water heating. However, tariff 31 is only available at low electricity-demand periods, such as at night when generators would otherwise be idle. Electricity supply is made available for a minimum of eight hours per day at times set by the network owner (Energex or Ergon, depending on where you live) at their discretion, typically between the hours of 10pm and 7am . On some days electricity supply may not be turned off at all. This tariff is about 59% cheaper than your normal domestic tariff. Tariff 31 is best suited to water heaters and can be a great way to reduce your power Quote: Tariff 33 Tariff 33 is known as the Economy Plan and is ideal for medium sized electric storage water heaters, solar-electric water heaters and heat pump water heaters. This tariff is also appropriate for other domestic loads such as swimming pool filters, water bed heaters and some freezers, provided they are permanently connected. This tariff is up to 40% cheaper than your normal domestic tariff. Electricity supply is available for at least 18 hours per day and is switched via load control equipment supplied and maintained by the network provider. The times of supply are completely up to the network provider, but are generally outside of the hours of 5-9 pm. I hooked mine up to Tariff 33 without any problems, in fact the only problem i had is from about 6pm - 9pm and from 6am to 9 am. But considering the amount of times i have turned it on to use the booster this hasnt been a problem. Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 17Mar 12, 2013 5:21 pm gpoly Saint Mike Can you run off-peak on a solar HW system. I mean - are there any problems etc ? You can connect your system to off-peak tarrif electricity. The drawback comes when you run out of hot water and the tank needs to reheat. The system can't do so until the wee hours of the morning, so you could be without hot water all day if you use it all up (other than what the solar can reheat). That is only if you hook up Tariff 31 and even then the power is cut from 7am to 9pm. Quote: You also need to be aware that off-peak electricity is being phased out (imagined green issues), so youll be paying full rate soon anyway. Everyone also needs to be aware that electric storage hot water units are going to be near "illegal" for new builds/renovations in many states soon and buying a replacement unit for a dead system will be near impossible down the track. who told you this, origin just was giving out $100 gift cards for anyone who converted their hot water system to tariff 33... Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 18Mar 14, 2013 11:03 pm Quote: You also need to be aware that off-peak electricity is being phased out (imagined green issues), so youll be paying full rate soon anyway. Everyone also needs to be aware that electric storage hot water units are going to be near "illegal" for new builds/renovations in many states soon and buying a replacement unit for a dead system will be near impossible down the track. who told you this, origin just was giving out $100 gift cards for anyone who converted their hot water system to tariff 33...[/quote] It's all part of the grand plan to have us all living in caves with no electricity and definitely no hot water. See this link:- http://www.climatechange.gov.au/what-yo ... t-faq.aspx See items 21 and 22. Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 19Mar 16, 2013 5:04 pm Off-peak tariffs are not being phased out. They are phasing out electric water heaters, regardless of whether you connect it to an off-peak tariff or not. Re: Gas VS Electric Hot Water System 20Mar 17, 2013 9:13 am TinaG Off-peak tariffs are not being phased out. They are phasing out electric water heaters, regardless of whether you connect it to an off-peak tariff or not. But if you have solar HW is there a chance you would run out in the mornings ? Or does something cut in when it gets too low (cold) ? I've never had Solar HW before - but would like off-peak if its a goer. I want to build a decking to the drawn shape outlined in black. The problem is how close can I build to the gas hot water unit? Will I be able to build around it and be… 0 20220 the sun master is the solar heating to "warm" the water in the tank the S26 is your hot water system which will heat the water (25 degrees?) so with both turned on you… 2 12572 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Hi, I've got a brand new (2nd hand) Bosch Hydropower 16H tankless hot water heater. Since it was installed I have noticed it leaks a lot. I took the cover off and it looks… 0 24140 |