Hot Water Systems are designed to heat and store water for use in washing, cooking and showering. They can be powered by gas, electricity or solar energy and operate either with a storage tank or continuous flow design.
Choosing the right system for your household is important. It affects your energy bill for years to come, as well as the resale value of your home. This makes it worth the effort to assess your options and choose a solution that offers good energy efficiency, low running costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The type of hot water system you need will depend on your household size and usage patterns. It is a good idea to get a hot water supplier to analyse your home and recommend some options. They will ask you about the number of people in your household and their typical times for showering or bathing. They will also look at your household heating, cooling and water usage to help determine the best system for you.
Gas hot water systems are a popular choice for many households as they offer remarkable durability and longevity. They can be powered by natural gas (if connected to a gas network), LPG or electricity. The fuel source will influence the operating costs, which may be higher for electric models on peak tariffs or for gas systems on off-peak rates. Gas models can also be configured for solar power, which is an excellent way to lower energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
A gas continuous flow system heats water only as it is needed, and so does not suffer the same energy losses as a storage tank model. These models are generally installed outdoors due to their venting requirements but can be located indoors if you have the space and ventilation. They are available in both gas and electrical versions, but a majority are gas models.
Electric continuous flow hot water systems are more compact than storage tank systems, and they can be installed indoors if you have the space and suitable ventilation. They can be configured to run on a full electricity tariff or on off-peak tariffs, and some models are energy efficient enough to achieve an Energy Star rating.
One-pipe systems (also known as perimeter systems) are usually specified for warm and temperate climates. They work by supplying hot water into the house through a single pipe, with return pipes returning heated water to the central heater. A closed expansion tank is often used to compensate for changes in volume of the system.
DHW systems can be operated as two-pipe systems or as three-pipe systems. The two-pipe system is more sophisticated than the one-pipe, and requires a dedicated loop for hot water and separate loops for cold water and steam (if applicable). They can be powered by electricity or gas, with the latter offering greater resilience in a power outage. A high power electronic control unit is often recommended for this type of system.
source https://flowlinkplumbing.wordpress.com/2025/03/22/choosing-the-right-hot-water-systems-for-your-household/
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