03 9888 2887
Gas vs Electric Hot Water Systems
If you are looking at getting a new hot water unit installation, you may be wondering which type you should choose – Gas or Electric.
In this blog, we are going to discuss each type so that you can be better informed when you make your choice. Read on!
Gas Hot Water Units
Gas hot water systems have generally been the more popular option over the years because they recover quicker than an electric unit and have been cheaper to operate during the day.
You may traditionally think of the large cylinder hot water storage units which can still be found around Melbourne, however, the more modern continuous flow units are far more compact and have become quite a popular option for new hot water installations and replacements. The continuous flow units can be installed in positions that other larger systems cannot be installed. They are also more efficient and don’t run out of hot water. One of our preferred suppliers for continuous flow units is Rinnai.
Have you ever been in the shower and suddenly got sprayed with cold water because someone turned on a tap elsewhere? Well, an additional benefit of a Rinnai gas hot water unit with controllers is that the temperature of the water in the shower, for instance, can be set, so that the temperature will not fluctuate when another tap is turned on.
Rinnai gas hot water units with a Smart Start are also beneficial. At the push of a button on the controller, a pump starts circulating the hot water around a loop near to the taps. This greatly reduces the amount of water that is normally last waiting for the hot water to come through.
Electric Hot Water Units
Electric hot water systems have not been as popular in Melbourne as their gas counterparts, but this could change with the increase in the number of electric solar panels being utilised on buildings. The rise in solar panel usage could see the beginnings of a trend where electric storage systems are the more popular option.
Electric hot water systems can be heated by the power generated from the panels. The hot water cylinder would need to be large enough to meet the clients’ needs, however, the solar panels may be limited to how much energy they can produce to heat the water. The electric hot water system may need to be wired to accept off-peak power at a cheaper rate if required.
This is not bad news though! An electric hot water unit is more energy-efficient than a gas system, especially if it is running off of solar power. If a householder finds that it works for them, and uses electric cooking and reverse cycle heating, then they can save approximately $300 to $400 per year on their gas service fee.
Have you decided which system will work best for you? Our licensed plumbers are ready to help you with all of your hot water unit repairs, installations or replacements. Call the plumber Melbourne locals trust to solve all of their plumbing problems – call us on (03) 9888 2887 today!