Hot Water Systems for Wollongong
Australian towns get plenty of sunshine, so taking up solar to harvest free energy from the sun is a smart choice in the local Wollongong, Shellharbour, Helensburgh and Kiama regions. One of the most efficient ways to use solar energy is by installing solar hot water.
The choices you have with solar hot water stretch far further than what you can achieve with solar panels alone, and will still be covered by available Green Energy grants and subsidies with the Australian Government Renewable Energy Target Scheme.
If you aren’t sure where to get started with your solar journey, solar hot water is the perfect place to begin. It requires fewer panels than PV to work, has insulated storage so you have hot water available 24/7 and it will have a significant positive impact on your energy bills and in reducing your carbon footprint.
The average Australian home produces most of its greenhouse gas emissions from a single source: Electric water heating. Traditional hot water production accounts for almost a quarter of your total household emissions. The saving from solar is important and will have a lasting effect on the health of our planet. All that energy it’s also a big expense to your power bills, which will typically peak in winter with those long hot showers.
Along with the highest quality offerings from the biggest brands in hot water, Solahart Wollongong reaches further by adding innovative, affordable and more flexible hot water solutions designed right here in the Wollongong area, to give customers even more choice, even when rooftop panels aren’t an option.
Rather than pay high grid energy rates, look at a wider range of energy-efficient hot water options using the sun.
Solahart are your local experts in hot water systems Wollongong. We have a team of plumbers who are highly trained across all types of hot water systems. We also sell and service many other electric hot water systems too! Conventional gas or electric water heating are significant contributors to energy use and costs in your house. Using free energy from the sun to heat water is an effective way to use Australia’s ample sunshine to provide cost-effective and reliable hot water, helping you save energy, money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Roof Top Solar Hot Water Systems
Solahart
L Series
Our most popular system, designed to provide economical service in medium to high solar gain areas.
Solahart
SP Series
Frost protected system, designed for use in medium to high solar gain areas.
Solahart
LCSD Series
Mid-range model for use in low to medium solar gain areas.
Solahart
CS13C Series
Higher efficiency for use in low to medium solar gain areas.
Rheem
52D Series
Entry level model for
high solar gain areas.
Rheem
52C Series
Entry level frost protected model for high solar gain areas.
Split System Solar Hot Water Systems
Streamline
MLV Series
Split system solar for areas of
medium to high solar gain.
Streamline
MCS07V Series
Split system solar for areas of
low to medium solar gain.
Streamline
RLX Series
Split solar system designed for areas of medium to high solar gain.
Streamline
RCS Series
Split system solar for areas of
low to medium solar gain.
Rheem
Premier Loline
Split solar system designed for cooler climates and all weather conditions.
Solar-Ready Hot Water Systems
Streamline Solar-Ready Water Heater
Emergency Hot Water Replacement + 10-Year Tank Warranty
Heat Pumps
Solahart
Atmos
Energy efficient heat pump with a low side mounted heat pump module.
Solahart
Atmos-Frost
Energy efficient heat pump
built to be frost tolerant.
Solahart
Atmos Eco
New generation 180L capacity suitable for small families.
Solahart
Atmos Eco 280
The Ultra Low GWP 280 litre heat pump for medium to large families.
Pool
Heat Pumps
Entry level frost protected model for high solar gain areas.
Solahart Powerstore
Solahart
PowerStore
World leading smart technology developed, designed and built in Australia.
Solahart Hot Water Heating Products
Conventional gas or electric water heating are significant contributors to energy use and costs in your house. Using energy from the sun to heat water is an effective way to use Australia’s ample sunshine to provide cost-effective and reliable hot water, helping you save energy, money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar water heating is a simple and efficient process where energy from the sun is captured to heat water for your home.
As an authorised Solahart dealer, Solahart Wollongong is proud to offer you the best solar water heating systems and you can choose between efficient roof-mounted tanks or slimline split-systems to minimise the visual impact on your home.
Meanwhile, a Solahart Atmos Heat Pump is an energy efficient water heater designed to be installed in areas where solar hot water systems may not be suitable. It is a smart renewable energy solution to replace your gas or electric water heater. It works much like a reverse cycle air-conditioner in that the surrounding air is the heat source rather than the sun. Solahart Atmos Heat Pump provides reliable hot water for your family and is suitable for residential applications where you require energy efficient hot water, without the need for roof space.
If you have excess PV, then the latest innovation from Solahart might be just what you need. Introducing Solahart PowerStore®; Australia’s first solar-smart electric water heater. Solahart PowerStore works with a solar power system where together with a power meter, it captures excess solar energy and turns it into hot water, rather than allowing it to be sent back to the grid. Like a battery, it stores energy – but it’s more affordable. And because a Solahart PowerStore system minimises the amount of power you draw from the grid, it is also designed to reduce your household energy bills.
What is Solar Hot Water?
Solar water heating is a highly efficient process where energy from the sun is captured to heat water in a tank to be used when needed in your home. There are a number of different approaches you can take to achieve this result that will suit different roof and property types as well as personal needs, budgets and preferences.
No matter where you are in the Illawarra region, Solahart Wollongong offers a wide range of high-quality options in each of the following categories:
Rooftop hot water
This is a stand-alone solar hot water system with a roof-mounted panel and water tank. As well as collecting solar energy throughout the day to heat and store hot water, these units can be boosted by the grid (either natural gas or electricity) if needed. The booster elements are significantly cheaper to use than running a gas or electric hot water system.
Split System Hot water
Along with traditional roof-mounted hot water systems, Solahart offers a variety of Streamline Split-Systems. These are more visually appealing as the water tank storage is kept on the ground, rather than the roof. The sun collecting element will still be on the roof but it’s a much neater and discrete system than rooftop-mounted units.
Combining Solar with electric hot water heaters
Solahart offers two in-house hot water systems designed to be compatible with rooftop solar panels or be solar-ready – even if you aren’t. If you are using solar panels to heat your traditional electric hot water there can be delays in when your hot water is ready, because it will need solar energy to heat the tank. Solahart bypasses this issue with storage tanks that work more intelligently through closer compatibility with solar panels to give you hot water when you actually need it, even if sunlight isn’t on your panels yet:
The Solahart Streamline Solar Ready Hot Water Heater
If you are planning on installing solar hot water in the future but need a new water heater now, this is your solution. You get access to electric hot water that can be switched to solar when you are ready.
Solahart PowerStore
If you already have solar power and are generating more than you need at certain times of the day, you can send it to your hot water tank to harvest and heat water rather than sell the energy back to the grid. Solahart PowerStore is Australia’s first solar-smart electric water heater, and it’s a much better way to use excess energy that will make a big difference to your energy bills and give you access to solar-backed hot water 24/7.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are the perfect option for properties that don’t have the capacity for solar. While some electricity is still required to run a few of the internal elements, the water heating component of the heat pump runs on hot air, extracted from the surrounding environment. Even a small amount of heat in the air is enough to activate the chemical chamber and boil water for your home use. These can replace any electrical hot water heater with minimal additional installation fees.
HOW DOES SOLAR HOT WATER WORK?
Rooftop and split system solar hot water solutions use semiconductor crystal cells to capture the sun’s heat and use it to heat the fluid circulating inside. The hot water produced is then stored in an insulated tank until you need it. This storage ability means you can have hot water ready no matter the time of day or the local weather.
Solar hot water works independently from solar panels, and in some ways is a superior option to having your electric hot water run off solar PV because it:
- Needs fewer panels to get results
- Takes up less roof space
- Has a larger cell to energy output
- Gives you access to hot water round the clock
You can get started with solar hot water in your Wollongong property now and install PV solar at a later date to help cover your general home electricity needs, or have both solutions installed at the same time.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR HOT WATER?
Installing a solar water heating system significantly reduces carbon emissions produced by your home. As well as saving as much as 65% on your energy bills, you’ll be cutting back as much as 2.7 Tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
The range of solar hot water solutions on offer is flexible enough to meet any budget and assist in reducing energy bills for any home layout.
WHAT SOLAR HOT WATER SOLUTIONS DOES SOLAHART OFFER?
Solahart Wollongong offers a full range of different types to help accommodate different property types and budgets. Our expert technicians can come to your property to provide a free assessment of the best solar hot water types suitable for your home and the benefits you’ll experience immediately once it’s installed.
We only offer the highest quality products from trusted, reliable brands to make sure your hot water solution provides strong and consistent performance over the life of the unit across:
- Rooftop solar
- Split system hot water
- Electric-solar hot water heaters
- Heat pumps
- Pool heat pumps
Top Five Reasons Why Solar Hot Water Makes Sense
There are so many reasons to choose Solahart Hot Water Systems. Here are our Top 5 reasons:
The biggest household energy saving
Hot water is one the greatest energy drains in your house. A solar water heater could help you save up to 65%^ of your water heating energy consumption.
The most efficient solar energy system
A Solahart Solar Hot Water system is proven to be more energy efficient than solar power. It uses the heat from the sun to provide cost-effective and reliable hot water.
The original, affordable solar battery
A solar hot water system works just like a battery, storing energy in the form of hot water, ready for use at a later time. It is the original solar energy storage device, and Solahart has been perfecting it for over 65 years.
Less roof space, more savings
To save the equivalent in energy use, a solar water heater takes up a third of the roof space of a standard solar power system^^.
Flexibility: Simplicity or Style
Solahart lets you choose between efficient roof-mounted tanks or slimline split-systems, to minimise visual impact.
Frequently asked questions about hot water systems
What is the difference between a solar hot water collector and a solar PV panel?
Solar hot water works by ‘collecting’ the sun’s heat and transferring this energy to the solar collectors either directly to water or indirectly to anti-freeze fluid, which is used in frost prone areas. The heated water or fluid is then circulated back to the storage tank to provide hot water free from the sun®.
Solar Power (PV panels), on the other hand, rely on sunlight to generate DC electricity, which is fed into an inverter and converted into AC current to power your home.
Although both technologies rely on the sun’s free energy, they have entirely different purposes.
Why choose solar hot water?
Water heating accounts for around 25% of the average Australian household’s energy use, clearly outweighing other forms of energy consumption.
The great thing about solar water heaters is that they store energy from the sun in a storage tank for later use,
which is in effect, just like a battery. And because they are so efficient, solar water heater collectors take up
about ⅓ of the roof space needed for an equivalent sized solar power system.
What are the environmental benefits of a Solahart solar water heater?
Getting your hot water free from the sun® not only saves energy but also saves greenhouse gas emissions that would have been produced in the generation of that energy. By replacing an electric storage water heater with a Solahart Solar Water Heater, you could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 3 tonnes a year*, which is the equivalent of taking a small car off the road.
Which Solahart is right for us?
The best Solahart unit for your needs will depend on the following key factors:
• The amount of available sun
• Is the area prone to frost?
• The water chemistry in your area
• How many people in the home & their typical hot water usage
To choose the best water heater for your family, please call us at Solahart Wollongong. We will make an appointment for you to speak with an expert who will help you pick the right unit for your current and future circumstances.
Does a Solahart take long to install?
If your current hot water system breaks down, Solahart can have you back in hot water quickly, with a temporary system so you can still enjoy warm showers while you wait for your installation.
How much will a Solahart water heater save me?
Savings will vary depending on where you live, the type of water heater being replaced, the amount of hot water you use, the model of solar hot water system installed, the orientation and inclination of the collectors and, your fuel tariff. Maximum financial savings are achievable when replacing an electric water heater on a continuous tariff, or an inefficient 3-star gas storage water heater.
How long does it take to pay for itself?
Financial payback will vary depending on your circumstances, but with the available incentives plus the ongoing energy savings, you can begin to recover your additional investment straight away. After you have paid off your initial investment, the savings are yours to spend on yourself and your family, year after year.
What are Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)?
STCs are part of the government’s commitment to renewable energy. STCs are created when you install and commission qualifying solar hot water, solar/wind power systems or residential solar power systems.
Each STC represents 1 MWh (Megawatt hour) of energy produced. The number of STCs you are eligible for varies
depending on the size of the system you install and your location.
STCs have a market value (which may vary over time) and are tradable; they can be sold, or used to get a discount or cash. Solahart offers an up front discount on the price of a solar power system in return for the STCs.
What financing options do you have for hot water systems?
Switching to Solahart has never been more affordable thanks to our flexible Interest-Free solutions. Finance is available to approved applicants only.
For more information on our finance options, click here.
Is there an alternative to putting the tank on the roof?
Solahart’s range of Streamline Split System solar water heaters allows you to enjoy all the benefits of Solahart’s advanced solar technology – without the tank on the roof.
The Solahart Split System locates the low profile collectors on your roof, with the tank installed at ground level. Alternatively you can choose a Solahart heat pump which uses technology to extract heat from the surrounding air, without solar collectors at all.
Why do solar water heaters have booster switches?
All solar water heaters include a gas or electric booster switch to ensure you have hot water even during the colder, darker days of winter and on those occasional cloudy, rainy days. By selecting the right Solahart model for your area and your family’s hot water usage patterns, the use of the booster can be minimised.
Does Solahart service hot water systems?
Yes. We service hot water systems. It is recommended that hot water systems are serviced every 5 years to maintain efficiency.
What brands of hot water system do you service?
Of course we service our Solahart products however we also service other brands including Rheem, Dux and Saxon. Get in touch regardless of which brand you have installed and we can help.
What is the difference between a solar hot water system and a solar power system?
With solar hot water, heat is captured directly from the sun through collectors installed on the roof and is transferred to the fluid circulating inside. Water is then stored in an insulated tank for future use.
Solar power (PV) converts light from the sun into electricity. The amount generated depends on the number of panels and size of the inverter. Any excess power can be sold back into the grid or stored in a battery, while additional electricity can be bought from the grid when the sun is not shining
