Solar Hot Water Systems Perth
Air and Water Residential is a specialist dealer for Rinnai solar hot water systems which it installs in the Perth metro area.
- A popular form of hot water system that works well in Perth's sunny conditions.
- Solar hot water systems have been around for over 40 years and the technology has not changed greatly in that time.
- Solar hot water tanks usually hold between 180 and 330 litres of water. The tanks either sit on the roof (close coupled systems) or on the ground (split systems).
- Solar hot water panels have a long life, over 15 years usually, as there are no or few moving parts.
- Water flows through the solar panels and into the tank. The solar panels
are heated by the sun thereby heating the water. The hot water fed into the tank displaces the cold water that sits at the bottom of the tank and in turn that cold water is fed to the solar panels for heating. - On cloudy days the sun may not be sufficient to heat the water and so a booster is used. You chose whether you want an electric or gas booster when you buy your solar hot water system.
- Running costs are low as any water heated by the sun is free so you only have to pay for hot water you heat through the booster.
- Solar hot water systems are quiet as the only source of noise is the booster when in use.
- This is an extremely efficient and safe form of hot water system with no flames (electric boosted only) or exposed elements to worry about
- An installed electric boosted hot water system retails for approximately $4,300* for a couple and $5,500 for a 4 person family, before RECs (now known as STCs).
- An installed natural gas boosted solar hot water system retails for approximately $5,600* for a couple and $7,200* for a family of four, before RECS and state government rebates.
- Typical warranty - tank 5 to 10 years, panels 5 to 10 years, parts and labour 1 to 5 years.
RECs and Rebates
- As solar hot water is a very environmentally friendly option there are a number of incentives to encourage their purchase - RECS (now STCs) and state governnment rebates and sometimes even council incentives.
- The West Australian government offers a rebate off the purchase price of your gas boosted solar hot water system if the tank is over 250 litres - $500 natural gas and $700 for LPG. There is no state government incentive for electric boosted systems.
- Each solar hot water system has been tested for its efficiency and the Office of Renewable Energy publishes the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) each solar hot water system is entitled to based upon its efficiency. RECs are traded like shares and their price varies frequently (usually $30 - $40 per REC). The renewable energy credits attached to a solar hot water system can vary from 20 - 47 depending on its size, which area of WA the system is installed in, the type of booster and efficiency of the system.
- Air and Water will arrange the paperwork and advise you of any conditions so you can get the rebate and the RECS deducted from your purchase price. Typically you will receive your RECs at the rate ruling at the date of installation.
Note The Federal Govt rebate of $1,000 to change over from an electric storage system ceased 28 Feb 2012. See The Federal Govt website for more details.
* There are a lot of factors that affect the cost of supplying and installing a system so these prices are general indicators only. To get a quote please call us on 08 6363 5343 or send your plans to us using the Get A Quote page.
To view the renewable energy credits for your postcode.
