A customer came to me this week with a question about solar heating. I thought it was an excellent question – one for the R&D departments out there to invent.
She asked, “we are also considering solar hot water heating. Is this the time to integrate them. Are they integrated? Can they be integrated? ie. shared panels on the roof so that we don't double up?”.
Damned good question. But unfortunately, solar hot water, solar panels (power) and pool heating can’t yet be combined into a shared unit and all must be installed separately, using different units.
So if you are tossing up where to devote your energy when deciding on solar, my recommendation is to prioritise solar hot water. It’s the single best thing any house can do to reduce their reliance on electricity. Solar pool heating is great, but it is really considered a luxury as it doesn’t reduce any electricity, but simply increases your ability to use your pool.
Solar power is also a great energy alternative but it is still relatively expensive. We are going to start selling solar pv soon but have been sitting on the fence about it. Its generally quite exensive and to get the equivalent of 1/3 of your electricity bill reduced which is the reduction you can get with a solar hot water system, the cost for a 1 or 1.5kw system is at least 2 – 3 times the cost than solar hot water. Therefore it’s a bit of a no-brainer that the best place to start in greening your home is with a solar hot water system. However we see the benefit coming in with the combination of these products. Solar hot water first and then solar pv second to combine the two. If you combined a solar hot water system with a 2kw of solar pv then you would do a huge amount to reduce or get rid of entirely your reliance on electricity.
So get your solar hot water now and then we can help you with solar pv soon too!
She asked, “we are also considering solar hot water heating. Is this the time to integrate them. Are they integrated? Can they be integrated? ie. shared panels on the roof so that we don't double up?”.
Damned good question. But unfortunately, solar hot water, solar panels (power) and pool heating can’t yet be combined into a shared unit and all must be installed separately, using different units.
So if you are tossing up where to devote your energy when deciding on solar, my recommendation is to prioritise solar hot water. It’s the single best thing any house can do to reduce their reliance on electricity. Solar pool heating is great, but it is really considered a luxury as it doesn’t reduce any electricity, but simply increases your ability to use your pool.
Solar power is also a great energy alternative but it is still relatively expensive. We are going to start selling solar pv soon but have been sitting on the fence about it. Its generally quite exensive and to get the equivalent of 1/3 of your electricity bill reduced which is the reduction you can get with a solar hot water system, the cost for a 1 or 1.5kw system is at least 2 – 3 times the cost than solar hot water. Therefore it’s a bit of a no-brainer that the best place to start in greening your home is with a solar hot water system. However we see the benefit coming in with the combination of these products. Solar hot water first and then solar pv second to combine the two. If you combined a solar hot water system with a 2kw of solar pv then you would do a huge amount to reduce or get rid of entirely your reliance on electricity.
So get your solar hot water now and then we can help you with solar pv soon too!
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