Our solar hot water system is on the way out and we have been advised to get a heat pump rather than replace the current system. We live in suburban Perth in a brick house with only two residents. Would appreciate anyone’s thoughts about the best way to go
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Welcome to the Community @Trish53,
For clarity are you asking about solar heating for your house as implied in your title, that can be a varied and complex discussion, or a solar hot water service as indicated in your text?
If the latter there are a few existing topics such as
and a few others you can find using the Community search tool.
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Adding to @PhilT’s advice (I altered the heading to better reflect your request):
There are a number of topics that cover the subject you have asked about. Some of the topics will be a few years old but the principles will remain fairly constant.
Some are about replacing gas systems, some are specific about the brands. In large part though most will have something that will add some value to answering your question.
Searching on “hot water” and/or “solar hot water” should give you some good hits.
Some results to get you started
Also worth a read is
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There’s some great content in the Choice topics suggested by the prior post.
In suggesting your exisiting system is “on the way out” what is it that is happening with the exisiting system that is not as it should be? It may open up alternate discussion as to whether one should be considering a repair (potentially less costly) than an expensive replacement. There are several different common configurations (designs) for solar hotwater systems. Knowing which type (brand model) would improve the opportunity for others to add their experiences/suggestions.
There are pitfalls when relying on the advice/knowledge of businesses who could repair your system, but see a greater opportunity (profits) in selling a replacement. If one has a Solar PV system there are also various alternatives assuming the existing system is beyond economic repair. If one does not have a Solar PV install fewer choices?
Our prior experiences of a Rheem roof mounted solar hotwater system and family of 5 in Central Qld were extremely positive. Simple, reliable and met hot water needs 95% of the days each year without needing electric boosting.
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With only two residents going on capital cost, cost of operation we use Rinnai 16 instantaneous LPG hot water. With the controllers on the wall to set the temperature is pure bliss. No messing around setting the water temperature. Dial up whatever temperature to wash the dishes up to 60C.
Our solar array Feed In Tariff pays for the LPG and a lot more.
Go away no water tank there sitting using electricity to keep it hot. Come back after extended holiday, open the LPG cylinder, switch on the Rinnai, instant hot water. Wouldn’t have anything else.
Edit: Use 45kg cylinder with 9kg as a backup so only pay rental on one cylinder $28.00 year. 9kg is at least six weeks plus of hot water and LPG company deliver and fit every two weeks.
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