Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Solar Water Heaters

In the 1950s, Australia’s solar water heating business grew out of a research and development effort on solar water heaters conducted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), the federal government’s scientific research organization. According to a report released by the Australian Department of the Environment in 2010, installing a climate-friendly hot water system can save a family $300-$700 per year on electricity expenditures.

Water heating is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from an average home and the second largest sector of household energy use, according to the Australian Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE). Solar energy accounts for only 4% of total water heating energy. We’ll go over the benefits and drawbacks of using solar energy to heat water in this article.

Renewable Energy Source

When combined with other types of water heaters, solar hot water systems can help you save a lot of money on your heating bills. If you reside in a very sunny area, you might save up to 90% on your water heating costs.

Carbon Footprint

Solar hot water systems help reduce your home’s carbon footprint in addition to saving money. According to the Clean Energy Council, installing a solar water heating system reduces carbon emissions by 2.4 to 3 tonnes for the average family.

Incentives

The Australian government introduced a solar hot water rebate program in 2009, which provides an economic motivation for the installation of solar hot water systems. Once the home has met all of the conditions, the rebate can be received. The refund amount will be determined by the number of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that the solar water heater is eligible for. As a result, determining the acceptable RECs in a solar water heating system is necessary to assess whether you qualify for the incentive.

Reliability

One of the primary concerns with solar water heaters is their dependability. During the night or in poor weather, they are effectively useless. As a result, solar water heating systems are used in conjunction with existing systems rather than as a replacement.

Regional Effectiveness

The efficiency of a solar heating system is highly dependent on the location where you live. Solar energy is strongest in the country’s warmest regions. If you live in a region with limited solar coverage, the payback period may be longer.

Solar water heating systems are still suggested, despite their limitations. Switching to solar hot water is expected to be a very appealing option for many Australian households, according to the Australian government.