Solar hot water is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways that Australians are saving more on their power bill, but because it’s still gaining popularity, there are a few misconceptions surrounding solar hot water. We think solar water is a gamechanger, so in this article we take a look at a few of the myths surrounding solar hot water to give you a much better idea of what it’s about, rather than what it’s not about – this way, you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision when it comes to your eventual solar hot water installation!
Solar hot water systems aren’t the same as PV systems
If you’re still contending with a mammoth bill for your hot water in Adelaide over the winter months, then the move to solar is probably something you should consider. One of the most common reasons why people are confused about solar hot water is due to them already have a solar PV system installed in their home. Solar photovoltaic systems are the more common and readily identifiable form of solar energy production, but it is important to know that PV and solar hot water systems are actually quite different. It is important to note that PV systems generate electricity from sunlight, whereas solar hot water heats up water by effectively using heat from the sun and then stores this heated water until it is needed in the future. With this in mind, both of these separate systems are valuable in their own and can be extremely beneficial to a home setup that is trying to move away from the grid. This line of thinking also causes people to associate these hot water tanks as solely occupying an area on the roof, and while tanks will mostly be placed in this space, if there is not room available or if the homeowner is after a more discrete look, it is also possible for the hot water tank to be placed underground (although this split-system style setup will still require solar collectors to be installed on the roof).
More myths you should keep in mind
There are a few instances where someone might be unsure about whether their situation is suitable for the installation of solar hot water. One of the big questions relates to cloudiness – it’s easy to see why people would be confused about solar power when there is significant cloud cover, but it’s actually the case that solar hot water heaters are designed to heat water to the correct temperature even on the cloudiest days by making use of either electric or gas boosters. This means that these system will take the slack when the sun is hiding, so you’ll never have to worry about not having access to hot water! It is also the worry of some homeowners that they will not be able to make use of solar hot water systems at all due to location, climate, or a combination of the two. Although these might make it difficult for traditional setups, special solar hot water setups can still provide ample renewable energy for your hot water requirements.
Interested in solar hot water?
Although there is still a lot of confusion surrounding solar hot water, you can rest assured knowing that a lot of the negatives you might associate with these systems are not applicable. If you’re interested in getting more out of renewables, this system should be at the top of your shopping list for sure!
