For most people, a hot water system is a necessity that you only really think about when it stops working. However, did you know that water heating can account for around 25% of the annual energy spend in Australian homes? So, if you want to significantly reduce your power usage and save money on your energy bill follow our top tips for maximising the efficiency of your hot water system.
Choose The Right Sized Hot Water System
The first step in saving money on hot water is choosing the right sized hot water system. It is important that your hot water system is correctly sized for your needs to reduce the amount of money you are spending on heating water. This is because if you have a hot water tank that is too large for what you need, you will constantly be paying to heat a full tank of water which you will only use a portion of.
Conversely, if you choose a hot water system that is too small for your needs you will constantly be running out of water and will potentially have to wait hours until a new tank of water is heated for the hot water to come back online. If you’re not sure what size hot water system you need, talk to your local hot water experts at Sun City Hot Water & Plumbing.
Upgrade You Hot Water System
Another way to save money on hot water is by upgrading your old hot water system. If you still have an electric storage hot water system it’s time to consider upgrading to a tankless hot water system. Tankless hot water systems heat water on demand. This means that, unlike storage hot water systems where you will be paying to keep a tank of water heated 24/7, you will only be paying to heat the water you need, when you need it.
Additionally, if your hot water system is more than 10 years old it’s time to start thinking about replacing it. Hot water systems lose efficiency over time and, after 10 years of heating water, it is likely that your hot water system is using extra electricity due to its loss in efficiency.
Plus, hot water systems only have a standard lifetime of around 8 – 12 years. So replacing your hot water system now could save you the inconvenience of waking up to a broken down hot water system, as well as potential damage caused by a leaking hot water heater.
Adjust The Temperature
Most home owners will have no idea what temperature their hot water heater is set to. However, if you’re looking to reduce your hot water spend, check the temperature setting of your hot water system and set it to 60 degrees, as the lower the temperature setting on your hot water heater is, the less energy is needed to heat it. (Warning: do not set any lower than 60 degrees celsius to prevent the growth of bacteria such as legionella.)
Not only will lowering the temperature of your hot water heater save you money, it could also save you and the rest of your household from scalding accidents.
Regular Maintenance
Having your hot water heater regularly serviced by a professional will ensure that it is running as efficiently as possible, saving you money. It is important that your hot water heater is serviced regularly as sediment will naturally build up in the tank due to the minerals in the water and, if the sediment is not regularly cleared, it can reduce the efficiency of the system and potentially cause a system breakdown.
During your scheduled hot water heater maintenance the hot water technician will also identify and replace any worn or damaged parts, extending the lifetime of the unit and maximising efficiency.
Whether you need to replace your old hot water system, book in a service, or you just need some advice, Sun City Hot Water & Plumbing has got you covered. Having specialised in hot water services for over 20 years, you can trust Sun City to provide reliable hot water and plumbing services at competitive prices. Call Sun City Hot Water & Plumbing on 1300 728 122 for all of your hot water needs.
