When deciding whether or not you should invest in a solar hot water heater, it is advised to take account of the advantages and disadvantages.
The major advantage to installing a solar hot water heater is the investment itself which will pay for itself in 3-5 years and then save you money for the rest of its life-expectancy which is usually 15-30 years depending on make, model and quality.
Another advantage is that the storage capacity which is two to three times higher than a standard water heater meaning you have more hot water which is great for large families. Also solar hot water systems do not pollute the environment and they increase the market value of your house.
The major disadvantage of solar hot water Queensland systems is the initial investment which is higher than your other types of hot water systems. If you are buying the tank and panels, these have to be installed onto your roof. The panels and tank are quite heavy so you have to have some workforce on site to install. Also, they have to be positioned where they get the most direct sunlight and that might be at the front of your house. You need sunlight for the heaters to work efficiently and if that doesn't happen you need some sort of booster. Before purchasing a solar hot water heater, it would be best to get a technician to evaluate your property, size of roof and see if it is feasible.
Heat Pump Systems are almost as energy efficient and less costly and can be hidden around the house. Heat pumps allow you to have hot water every minute of the day. The heat pumps work in reverse of your air conditioner. Heat pumps are roughly 3 times more energy efficient than traditional electric heaters. Rebates are available in Queensland, and as of 1, Jan, 2011 you must install either a heat pump, solar hot water Queensland system, or gas hot water heater when you replace your old electric hot water system.
