Solar hot water can provide up to 90 per cent of your hot water free of charge - depending on where you live, your system, the amount of sun your home receives and how much hot water you use.
If you replace your existing hot water service with solar, you can usually recover the upfront cost of the new system in 5 to 10 years and you will be using a free and clean energy source.
Installing solar hot water step-by-step guide
Installing solar hot water step-by-step guide
| Step number |
Step name |
Action |
| 1 |
Work out your requirements |
- Work out how much hot water you currently use. If you can reduce this amount, you could reduce the size of your solar hot water system.
- Work out what system will be best for your situation. Consider your location, home size, number of people at home, hot water use and renovation plans. Start with Your Home Technical Manual - Hot water services.
- Check with a licensed installer to find out if your roof will need reinforcement to support a roof-mounted system.
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| 2 |
Select position |
- Work out the best roof position for the solar collectors. They should face north and be close to where you'll use the most hot water.
- Ask suppliers about the best slope for your location - if your roof slope is not optimum or the collectors won't face north, you may need a frame.
- Check that nearby trees or buildings won't shade your system, especially in winter when the sun is lower in the sky.
- Work out the best position for the hot water storage tank if not gas-boosted it may be accommodated inside your roof or in an inside cupboard so heat loss is minimised.
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| 3 |
Choose system and supplier |
- Talk to several suppliers about options before selecting a model.
- In cold climates, check if you need frost protection and extra insulation for the storage tank.
- The storage tank is usually fitted with an electric, gas or solid fuel booster system to heat the water on cloudy or overcast days or if you run out of hot water. Choose a gas or solid fuel booster system as they produce less greenhouse gas emissions than an electric booster. Also, see if the booster has a timer so you use water heated by the sun rather than the booster.
- Ask suppliers about any additional costs such as a heat dissipation device or a mixing valve.
- Check the warranties for different systems as they can vary greatly.
- Ask about after-sales service and what assistance you'll get if you have questions about your system in the future.
- Check suppliers are accredited installers as this could affect your eligibility for financial assistance, rebates or insurance.
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| 4 |
Get your new system installed |
- Ask the installer to show you how to maintain the system, including the safest way to clean the solar collector panels or tubes.
- Make sure the system's booster control is in an accessible place and that you know how and when to turn the booster on and off.
- Ask the installer to set the system's booster thermostat at 60 degrees Celsius to inhibit the growth of legionella bacteria. This lower temperature setting will save you money and energy as you don't have to heat the water as much.
- Outlet water temperature should be set at no more than 50 degrees Celsius in bathrooms or 45 degrees Celsius in bathrooms of early childhood centres, primary and secondary schools and nursing homes or similar facilities for young, aged, sick or disabled persons.
- Consider adding your new hot water system to your home insurance policy.
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| 5 |
Maintain your system |
- Always follow the manufacturer's maintenance and operation recommendations.
- Whenever possible, use hot water early in the day so that the sun, not the booster, will reheat water left in the tank.
- Clean your solar panels when needed, to remove dust and increase efficiency.
- Turn the booster off when you go away on holidays. Also, consider turning it off during summer if you don't need it.
- If you are planting tall trees, don't plant them where they will shade your system in the future.
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More information
See these resources for more information about installing a hot water system:
