Solar Hot Water: Pros And Cons

With more and more emphasis being put on renewable and environmentally-friendly energy these days, we’re seeing an increase in the number of homeowners opting to install renewable energy sources. One of the most popular renewable energy sources, especially in Australia where the sun is almost always shining, is solar power hot water. If you’re considering investing in solar power but you’re not too sure whether it’s worth it, we can help. Take a look below at the pros and cons of solar hot water and whether it's worth investing in.



One of the major benefits of solar hot water is the fact that it's a renewable source of energy that has a much lower carbon footprint than other traditional forms of energy. Choosing an environmentally-friendly way of heating your water is a great way to do your part in keeping our planet healthy.

Solar hot water can also help save you a lot of money, especially if you live in an area that receives plenty of sunshine. Rather than paying to heat your hot water using the electricity grid, the sun is providing you with the energy instead, significantly lowering your water bills.

Once your solar hot water system is installed, it will require minimal maintenance. However, it’s a good idea to organise a service every year to ensure that it stays in top shape. Your solar hot water system should last you approximately 20 years if it’s well looked after.

The initial investment and installation of a solar hot water system can often be on the more expensive side, especially when compared to the installation of standard electricity or gas-powered hot water systems. Often, the installation process requires the use of a new hot water cylinder as well as solar panels, which can sometimes put solar hot water out of reach of many homeowners.

Ultimately, the efficacy of your solar hot water system is going to be dependent upon how much sun your panels receive. If the area you live in doesn’t receive a high amount of sunshine, or your panels aren’t placed in an area that gets direct light for a good portion of the day, you’ll find that you might not be saving as much money on your hot water as you would expect. If you’re experiencing lots of cloudy or grey days, your system won’t be functioning at optimal capacity. Your local climate is going to have a huge impact on whether or not solar hot water is worth the investment.

Your solar hot water system is going to be limited to providing you with hot water and won’t help power any of your other home electronics or appliances. If you wanted a system that would help to power your entire home, you would have to consider installing a solar energy system such as PV (photovoltaic), which provides renewable energy for your entire property.

While solar hot water may initially require a significant investment, we believe that the pros outweigh the cons. With Australia receiving so much sunlight, the savings from a solar hot water system would end up paying for that initial investment sooner than you might expect.

If you’re ready to make the leap and upgrade to a solar hot water system , we’re here to help. Our team will be able to assist you with any questions you might have and help install your new solar hot water system when you’re ready. Why wait? Give us a call today!