We love the fact that we can have hot water anytime we need it. But can we make changes or choose better systems to save money and be climate smart?
Any increases in efficiency for electric systems mean less money wasted and less demand on power generation, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland.
We have choices:
- Installing solar hot water systems lets the sun provide the energy.
- Direct-heat gas systems deliver hot water as it’s required.
- Having the thermostat reset on electric systems can save loads of energy.
- Heat pump hot water systems are significantly more efficient than standard electrical systems.
Getting the most out of hot water systems
You can greatly reduce your energy consumption by using less hot water in the shower. It’s a simple way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduce the temperature on your hot water system. After all, aren’t we just wasting the energy that heated the water every time we add cold water to the bath, basin or shower to make it safe to use?
The average electric hot water system produces about three tonnes of greenhouse gases a year. In many cases, the tanks are oversized to avoid running out of hot water. This over-sizing wastes energy and can also be expensive to run. Think about the number of people in the house, number of bathrooms and fixtures, the use of appliances, and very importantly, consider your lifestyle. For instance, a household with four active people could require four showers a day, using up to 180 litres of hot water per day (120 litres if a AAA shower head is fitted).
The minimum temperature should be 60ºC for health and safety reasons, but some electric systems are set higher. Having an electrician reduce the temperature on the thermostat by as little as 5ºC can reduce your water heating bill by up to 20 per cent.
That’s money back in your pocket, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, and you can still have the shower temperature you prefer.
A gas-boosted solar hot water system is the most greenhouse-friendly way of heating your water if your local climate makes a non-boosted solar hot water system less viable year-round.
Alternatively, an instantaneous gas water heater saves greenhouse gas emissions by heating only the water you need. Check with your local gas provider to see if it’s an option for your home.
How to improve the efficiency of your hot water system
Changing the thermostat setting is a job for a professional.
But to keep your water hot at the tap you can wrap the pipes with insulation that you can buy from a hardware store. That way you run less water through the tap before it reaches the temperature you need.
Enclose at least 1m of the pipe leading from the tank.
Types of pipe insulation vary, so choose the one most suitable for your pipes; pre-formed foam cylinders are the best kind. These are split along their length so can be easily slipped onto the pipe. You’ll also need tape to seal the splits and join sections.
Changing to solar hot water is a great investment in saving money and adding property value, and best done while your electric system is still working. If your electric hot water system is more than 10 years old, then changing to solar could be very timely.
