OK, so we have a ye olde gravity fed tank in the roof on off-peak 2 electricity. The water pressure in the main bathroom is just fine for us because it's right underneath the tank, but we've got no hot water pressure at all in the new laundry we've built at the back of the house, it's just too far away. So we need a new hot water system with mains pressure. I've been researching and getting quotes but I am just so thoroughly confused.
We would LOVE to go solar but we're on a south facing slope with big trees to the north and EVERY consultant we've spoken to agrees that we don't have enough solar access so that's out unfortunately.
Heat pumps? I've heard baaaaad things about them, like they are unreliable, they cost a fortune to get fixed, they don't actually save that much power, $$$ or green house gasses? But they are by far the cheapest option because of all the govt rebates? Like around the $900 mark (with rebates). But we can't use off peak 2 electricity with them so running costs will probably be about the same???
Gas tank ? We've got gas to the house right where the tank needs to go? Around the $2000 mark including the $300 rebate?
Instant gas ? Around the $2200 mark with rebate?
Any comments? Particularly, how did you decide to go heat pump / gas tank / instant gas and are you happy with your decision?
I thought instant gas was the next most energy efficient way to go? It's often used as the booster system on solar HWS. Maybe research the exact cost/L of hot water of each of the models you're interested in and how much that will cost you over a year. Then think about things like - how close the unit is to where you use the most hot water. You could think about installing a small instant HWS right near the laundry/kitchen rather than replacing the one you've got...you'd still have the off-peak water (if you think that's the cheapest for you) but also wouldn't be wasting all that water going cold in the pipes on the way to the kitchen/laundry.
Another alternative is to forgo the hot water system reabate in favour of the roof insulation rebate, if it applies to your situation (just thinking laterally here, it might not be a good idea depending on everything else).
OK back.... we had a broken electric HWS which was costing us a fortune in electricity, gave us 2 minute showers and we had to wait at least 30 mins in between, it took 90 mins to half fill the bath.... anyhoo we got the instant gas, we figured it only heats water when we are actually using it and it never runs out. this is lame but we literally get out of the shower every morning and say "I love this water heater" .... go for instant gas you'll never look back. it was a bit exy but we had to get an indoor one (we live in an apartment) and I'm pretty sure the outdoor ones are cheaper.
We got a heat pump installed at the start of the year. We did originally want a gas boosted solar system, but we are on bottle gas plus in a shady area. It is not doing to bad so far, but hard to tell about cost savings as we don't have past years in the house to compare. Our last elec bill was huge, but I was using our dryer a lot and the electric column heater. Have cut back on those, so we will see next bill how it goes. Have not run out of hot water at all since it has been installed.
Desperately need hot water system advice!
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