Is gas or solar hot water cheaper?

When your hot water system finally packs it in and demands replacement, the choice between gas and solar hot water is largely a choice between short-term and long-term savings. Gas hot water systems are often (though not always) cheaper to purchase and install, whereas solar hot water offers greater long term savings.

How Much Do Melbourne Hot Water Systems Cost to Purchase?

Obviously, the cost of both gas and solar hot water in Melbourne varies enormously from system to system, and retailer to retailer.

Price is a major factor when purchasing a new hot water system with a gas hot water system being by far the cheapest option compared to solar hot water systems.

How Much Do Melbourne Hot Water Systems Cost to Run?

A gas boosted solar hot water systems will be the cheapest system to run, this is due to the hybrid use of solar and gas. This feature will allow gas to be used to heat remaining water if there isn’t enough solar heat – a big feature for those "Rainy Days".

An electric heat pump solar hot water system is the next one on the list. It uses electricity to boost up the heat once the temperature has started to cool down. It’s a smart idea and will ensure that you have a continuous flow of hot water.

An instantaneous gas hot water system in Melbourne is the next dearest option to run, whilst the off peak electric storage hot water system being the dearest of all these options. It only heats the water when required which means that you won’t run out of hot water. It’s a smaller design, which is space efficient and also allows you to pick the desired temperature of your hot water.

How Much Can I Save By Choosing a Solar Hot Water System?

There are even more scenarios for cost savings of one system over another, than there are for simple running costs! However, you should know that a high efficiency solar hot water system in Melbourne will cost you less per year than a gas storage hot water system. This is due to its cheaper running costs and cost savings in the future.

Consumers are now more aware of how their energy usage in the home reacts with the environment and because of this environmental impact the State Government has introduced generous incentives for home owners to switch from electricity to solar or gas energy under the Victorian Energy Saver Incentive Scheme (VEET). Solar hot water systems will save you money in the long term and potentially add value to your property.

How Big Does My Melbourne Hot Water System Need to Be?

The size of your household determines the size of Melbourne solar hot water or gas hot water system you'll need.

• For a 1-2 person household, you'll need around 160-200L capacity with a collector area of around 2 square metres

• For a 3-4 person household, you'll need around 300-370L capacity with a collector area of around 4 square metres

• For a 5-6 person household, you'll need around 440L capacity with a collector area of around 6 square metres

I Thought Melbourne Solar Hot Water Systems Didn't Work Well?

This urban legend comes from a time much earlier in the life cycle of solar hot water in Melbourne, when heat collection and storage systems were far less efficient. Frost problems have been eliminated and efficiency has been improved, so if you put the initial outlay into getting a good solar hot water system in Melbourne, it will certainly pay you back!