Types of Hot Water Systems

A Hot Water System is a device or arrangement that supplies hot water for domestic use. It can be used in residential households, schools and other facilities such as childcare centres and nursing homes. There are a number of different types of Hot Water Systems including Storage, Continuous Flow or Instantaneous gas systems as well as solar, electric and heat pump models. Some have special features to protect against safety issues such as scalding and legionnaires disease.

In a residential DHW (domestic hot water) system the most common form of heater is the cylindrical floor standing 40 or 50 litre storage tank found in many Australian homes. They are generally sized to suit the hot water requirements of a typical household. These tanks are connected to taps throughout the home via a series of copper pipework which is usually insulated. Depending on the model, it may be pre-plumbed with a mixer, mixer valve or pressure relief valve to help reduce energy consumption and minimise scalding risks.

The type of DHW system that is best for you will depend on the amount of hot water you need at any given time, your water usage habits and how much sun you get. Choosing the right system will save you money and reduce your energy consumption.

Electric Hot Water Systems

The most popular and economical choice for domestic hot water is an electric system. It consists of a storage tank that is sized to meet your hot water demand, a high-efficiency electric heating element and a controller with built in temperature sensors that monitor and control your system to prevent scalding.

If you live in an area with hard water, you will need to consider a Water Softener that will prevent damage to your heating elements and extend the life of your Hot Water System.

There are a range of other energy saving features you can add to an electric hot water system such as a timer, a float switch, an energy monitor or an inline meter. These will all help to make your system more efficient and reduce your power bills.

Solar Hot Water Systems

If you have roof space available a solar hot water system is the most environmentally friendly option and can be free of greenhouse gas emissions if you use electricity from a solar photovoltaic system or GreenPower supplied by your electricity retailer. There are also a range of energy efficient, gas fired systems that can be installed with a choice of gas types (including LPG) and are suitable for all types of residential properties.

Boiler systems provide both building heat and DHW in the same unit. The heat is carried in water instead of air and gives up its heat when it circulates through radiators in the rooms of your building, giving you comfortable radiant heating. There are a variety of heating controls that can be added to a boiler system such as thermostats, aquastats and automatic balancing valves (see our Heating Maintenance page).

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