Shower smarts: how to save money on hot-water systems

Friday, May 11, 2012

Shower smarts: how to save money on hot-water systems

Photography by Steve Ryan/acpsyndication.com

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The way we heat water for our homes is about to change forever - and for the better, writes Sarah Pickette.

Traditional electric storage hot-water systems may soon be a thing of the past. For more than 100 years, they have delivered warm baths and showers to our homes, but the fact is they are energy guzzlers and account for up to three times the greenhouse-gas emissions of other hot-water technologies such as gas, solar and electric heat-pump systems.

"Every time you have a hot shower powered by an electric storage hot-water system, you're using the same amount of energy that it takes to run 150 televisions all at once," says Ausgrid's Energy-Efficiency Expert Paul Myors. "They can chew up to 40 per cent of electricity used in the home."

It's because of this intense drain on our power supply that the Federal, state and territory governments have been working together on the planned phase-out of the electric storage hot-water system.

The plan, as of 2012, is that if your house's electric storage hot-water system breaks down you will not be able to replace it with a similar model (dates for the implementation of this regulation have not been set and will vary from state to state; apartments may be subject to the same ruling by the end of the decade). If your electric storage hot-water system is working well, there's no requirement for you to replace it.

The Federal Government's Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency estimates there are electric storage hot-water systems in about four million Australian homes and says the proposed phase-out will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by about 51.1 million tonnes over 10 years. This single measure is expected to deliver four per cent of the total cuts to greenhouse-gas emissions that Australia is committed to making by 2020.

"In terms of greenhouse-gas reductions, each electric hot-water system that's replaced with a solar hot-water system is equivalent to taking one small car off the road for good," says Stephen Cranch, Solahart's General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Renewables.

The cost savings that come from replacing an inefficient water heater can also be significant, says Myors. "A solar hot-water system, for example, will reduce your annual energy outlay by up to $300."

Which hot-water system will work best for you will depend on the size, layout, orientation and location of your home, but there's no question that all offer energy-efficiency improvements over electric storage hot-water systems.

For more on the proposed changes, go to www.climatechange.gov.au.

User comments

We were talked into going to gas over our very efficient off peak system What they do not tell you is in most cases it cannot be (like ours) located near the usage points because of deadly fumes. We put 10 litres of water down the drain before its hot enough for a shower. It will not heat up in summer unless the temp differential is greater than 20 degrees. The tempering valve ensures kitchen hot water arrives barely warm enough to wash a greasy plate. And more, like cycling hot and cold! A good idea in theory, but not much good in practice

If we were all serious about saving planet Earth then we'd find a way to enable everyone to have solar hot water. Very simple. I'm a tenant in a house and can't afford to install a system in a house I may not be in for long and I cannot afford to own my own home. My landlords are cheap as and would jump at doing anything to make or save them money. Otherwise they won't do anything.

A System that gives 100% Free Hot Water 365 days, 24_7 all you need is a tank to gave it stored in, Aussie Invention and Patented, to be manufactured in Australia, for world wide markets, sponsored by the Carbon Tax, bring it on, 2013

what a load of crock, Barry OFarrell stated in February this year that he would not put the onus on the people of NSW to go to solar!!! Even the hot water companies says its only 5% of your power bill on off peak!!! wasnt there an article the other day about deceptive & misleading conduct on carbon tax?? Well the climate change department is doing the same thing to the people of Australia!!!

if the gillard government is so worried about the environment,then why not allow all homes with solar panels,then put a "TAX" on carbon on our bills.and here is a good question...how many "TAX'S" do we pay now in total?.next there will be a oxygen "TAX" because we breath air!if you got 1000 random people off the streets and asked them would they like to pay more on there electricity,most would say "NO".same with"would you vote for labor again..."again,most would say NO!i thought the government was for the people not for them selfs!!!

It is not true that heat pump hot water systems use less power than solar hot water or current off peak hot water systems, by their very nature they need continuous power to perform to most homes requirements. Current off peak 1 hot water systems use less power and are cheaper for consumers than any other type of system except solar minus of course the initial outlay.