Electric hot water systems are the most popular and cost-effective type of water heater in Australia. Although they have been around for a long time, technology has made them more energy-efficient than ever before. Understanding how they work can help you decide whether an electric hot water system is right for your home.
This article looks at exactly how an electric hot water system works, the different types and the benefits of installing one in your home.
What Are Electric Hot Water Systems and How Do They Work?
Two types of hot water systems use electricity to heat water for your home: storage and instant.
Electric storage water heaters
A storage system comprises components including a storage tank, a heating element (or several), a thermostat, a pressure relief valve and an overflow pipe. With a storage system, cold water is sent into an insulated storage tank. Elements, similar to those in an electric kettle, heat the water to the desired temperature (usually 60°C). The hot water then rises to the top of the tank, ready for use when you turn on a hot tap in your household.
Storage systems use either mains pressure, so you can use more than one tap at a time without affecting water pressure, or gravity-fed systems where the water pressure depends on the height between the cylinder and hot water outlets. The tank size can vary depending on the size of your household, from 25–400 litres.
Instantaneous, or continuous flow, hot water systems
Instant hot water systems don’t have storage tanks, they heat water only as it is needed. When you turn on a hot water tap, water passes through a coiled copper pipe called a heat exchanger, which heats the water immediately. It’s then delivered directly to your tap. As no water is stored, an instant hot water system is very energy efficient.
Benefits of Electric Hot Water Systems
Electric hot water systems have many advantages, from easy operation to offering a reliable hot water supply.
- They are easy to use and reliable. Hot water systems that rely on an electricity supply provide a reliable and consistent water temperature. Unlike a gas water heater that may require regular gas bottle deliveries or a solar system that fails to heat water on cloudy days, there’s a type of electric water heater to suit every home, as long as it has electricity.
- They are very energy-efficient if used with solar panels. Heating water with an electric storage system can be inefficient due to standing losses, but if your home has a rooftop solar system to generate electricity, limiting the time that the water is heated to the middle of the day can make your electric hot water system quite efficient.
- Many come with energy-saving features. A lot of newer electric hot water systems use energy-saving features to reduce electricity consumption. And because they often offer better insulation than gas hot water heaters, they use less energy to keep water hot.
- They are easy to install and maintain. Electric systems, both storage and instant, can be installed inside or outside and, because they have fewer parts, they are easier to maintain.
- They offer value-for-money pricing. Electric hot water systems have lower upfront costs than other types of systems such as a heat pump or gas hot water. With a wide range of brands and sizes available, there is an electric hot water system for all types of applications.
Factors to Consider Before Installation
As heating water makes up around a quarter of energy use in most Australian households, choosing a hot water system of the right capacity for your household is imperative to saving on your energy bills.
A storage system that’s correctly sized means you won’t run out of hot water, you’ll save on upfront purchase costs, and you won’t waste money heating water you won’t use. With instant hot water, consider the flow rate carefully because the higher the flow rate, the greater the power consumption.
Cost and Maintenance of Electric Hot Water Systems
While electric hot water systems are the cheapest to buy, they can be the most expensive to run. This is why it’s crucial to choose the right type and size system for your household. Before you make your purchase, also consider these cost factors:
- The initial price and installation cost
- Your ongoing running costs
- The life expectancy of your hot water system
- Maintenance requirements
- The cost of hot water system repairs
Electric Hot Water Systems vs. Gas Hot Water Systems
Just like with electric hot water systems, when using gas for water heating, you have the choice between instant or storage systems. If you’re tossing up between an electric or gas hot water system, here are some things to consider.
Advantages of gas hot water
- A high-efficiency gas system is one of the most economical types of hot water systems available when operated on natural gas.
- Gas hot water heaters are much faster at heating water than electric systems.
- You’ll still be able to use hot water during a power outage with a gas system.
Advantages of electric hot water
- The cost of gas is expected to rise over the next decade, so investing in rooftop solar panels and an electric hot water system could be a more cost-effective option than gas.
- Installation of an electric hot water system is often more straightforward than the installation of a gas system.
- Electric hot water systems have cheaper upfront costs compared to gas hot water systems.
Ready to Shop Electric Hot Water Systems?
Electric hot water systems are affordable, easy to install and provide a reliable source of hot water for your home. The biggest downside of an electric hot water system is the ongoing running costs. However, used in conjunction with a renewable energy source such as rooftop solar power, they are good for the environment and your pocket.
Same Day Hot Water Service has a huge range of electric hot water systems to choose from for homes with high hot water demands and smaller households, too. With more than 30 years of industry experience, we can help guide your choice for a reliable hot water solution for your home. Call us today on 1300 721 996.