The Pros And Cons Of Gas Boosted Solar Hot Water Systems

As solar hot water has been an attractive alternative to traditional gas and electric water heaters for decades, you’d think it couldn’t get any better. Well, it can!

By boosting your solar hot water system with a continuous flow gas hot water system (gas booster), hot water will always be readily available, come rain, shine, or night time, as it acts as a supplemental water heater booster to ensure you get the most out of your solar hot water system.

However, before looking into replacing your existing gas or electric water heater, or upgrading your current solar hot water system, do yourself a favour and get to know the benefits of gas boosters. You won’t regret it!

To help you make your decision, we’ve compiled the most notable pros and cons of gas boosted solar hot water systems.

The Pros of Gas Boosted Solar Hot Water System

Significant savings of solar

As solar hot water systems use the sun’s natural rays as a source of free energy, installing one could significantly slash your monthly energy bills. In fact, modern solar hot water systems can pay for themselves within six to ten years! Even less in some cases.

Better together, whatever the weather

Whether you’ve used up your sun-heated water or there was no sun to begin with, with a gas booster you’ll always have hot water on tap. Once your gas booster detects a drop in water temperature, it’ll automatically ignite to provide instantaneous and continuous flow heating.

Therefore, no more remembering to turn on the electric booster and waiting hours for a “cold” solar water heater to heat up enough water for a hot shower, or number of hot showers. A continuous flow gas booster can be turned on at the “flick of a switch” at any time and hot water is immediately available.

Environmentally friendly

Going solar helps you protect our planet, as it can offer 70-80% of your hot water needs from free renewable, clean energy. On the other hand, conventional hot water systems have to generate all their heat by combusting fossil fuels (gas or electric). This produces harmful greenhouse emissions, pollutes the air, and contributes to climate change!

The best part?

Gas boosters are easily retrofitted to existing solar storage hot water tanks to increase their effectiveness and convenience. And in the long run, your gas boosted solar hot water system will also pay for itself.

The Cons of Gas Boosted Solar Hot Water System

Initial Upfront Installation Costs

The costs involved in adding a gas booster or installing a complete gas boosted solar hot water system can make most homeowners think twice about outlaying the cost of getting the system installed.

Efficiency Rating

Nowadays the STC energy rating of most gas boosted solar water heaters is the same as for electric boosted solars, and even less for some brands. Therefore, they are tested and deemed by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) to be no cheaper to run than an electric boosted solar water heater. Why? Because solar gas boosters have to be set to heat the water coming from a solar HW tank to 70C and use considerably more gas, than when used as a dedicated and separate stand-alone continuous flow gas HWS, which can be set as low as 42C (the temperature at which most adults shower).

Fossil Fuel Combustion

Unfortunately, a gas booster involves fossil fuel combustion and may not be the best choice for die-hard environmentalists. But, all is not lost! Natural gas is one of the cleanest fossil fuels available, producing 50-60% less greenhouse gas emissions than the rest.

Decision Time

Now that you’ve seen the evidence, you can make an informed decision for yourself!

Whether you choose an electric, gas, heat pump, electrically boosted solar, or gas boosted solar hot water system, our team at Kalamunda Plumbing has the expertise you need. We offer all manner of hot water system services, while specialising in the sale, service, and installation of solar hot water systems for over 30 years!

Visit our website for more information or call us on (08) 9291 6000 – we’re happy to help.

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Head Office & Warehouse Address: 13 Godfrey Street, Walliston 6076

Office Hours: 7.30am – 4.30pm Monday – Friday

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Shop 5B Kalamunda Glades, 121-123 Canning Road,
Kalamunda 6076

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Excellent4.9 Based on 428 reviews from review us onSusan Limbrick ★★★★★ The young apprentice Harry was really nice and Plumber was really helpfulJoe Gero ★★★★☆ Overall very good service especial the plumber Clayton. Only 4 stars because I found a large planking nut left in my grass which the mower could of picked up and caused injuries and/or damage.Aloysius Haarman ★★★★★ Happy with prompt and friendly serviceHave still to see what happens on hot daysResponse from the ownerThank you for your review, Aloysius! We’re glad to hear you were happy with our prompt and friendly service. We hope to continue meeting your expectations, especially on those hot days! Conti Doug ★★★★★ I have used Kalamuda plumbing for years and have always had great service😊Response from the ownerThank you for your continued support, Doug! We're thrilled to hear that you've always had great service with us. We look forward to serving you for many more years to come! Peter & Margaret Atack ★★★★☆ I was quite shocked to be able to get hold of a plumber at short notice, not easy these days. Trent and his apprentice we very good to work with and the pre arrival notification is much appreciated. No issues in recommending Kalamunda PlumbingResponse from the ownerThank you, Peter and Margaret, for your positive feedback! We're glad to hear that we could assist you on short notice and that you had a great experience with Trent and his apprentice. Your recommendation means a lot to us! We look forward to serving you again in the future. Nick FE ★★★★★ Called before arriving and within the time frame given. Great friendly service. Recommend KP to anyoneResponse from the ownerThank you for your wonderful review, Nick! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our service. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to serving you again in the future! Grant Douglas ★★★★★ Friendly guys, took time to explain the options and did a great job. Highly recommended.Response from the ownerHi Grant, we're glad that the boys were able to get the job done but more importantly communicate with you! I'll pass on your kind words to our team. Rob Buchanan ★★★★★ Fantastic friendly service and great quality work. Very knowledgeable team and they do their very best to help you out.Response from the ownerWe are always eager to assist amazing individuals like you. Thank you Rob, for your outstanding review. Ivaylo Todorov ★★★★★ Very friendly and efficient service. Got a new solar system installed the next day after the old one's tank started leaking profusely. Highly recommend using Kalamunda Plumbing for all your needs. Thanks for your prompt response and service!Response from the ownerThank you for your wonderful review, Ivaylo! We're glad to hear that you were pleased with our friendly and efficient service. Your recommendation means a lot to us! If you ever need assistance in the future, don't hesitate to reach out. Dorothy Deacon ★★★★★ As always prompt and efficient service by helpful and pleasant tradesman.Response from the ownerThank you for your wonderful review, Dorothy! We're delighted to hear that you consistently receive prompt and efficient service from our team. Your support means a lot to us! Tracey Jones ★★★★★ Took care of our hot water problem really promptly. Many thanks!Response from the ownerThank you for your positive review, Tracey! We're glad we could resolve your hot water issue quickly. Your appreciation means a lot to us! Megan Johnston ★★★★★ Prompt polite and professional at competitive cost. Thanks guysResponse from the ownerThank you for your wonderful review, Megan! We're glad to hear you found our service prompt, polite, and professional. Your appreciation means a lot to us, and we look forward to serving you again! Rose W ★★★★★ Excellent, timely service. We have had two jobs done by Kalamunda Plumbing now. Super refreshing to deal with tradies that turn up when they say they will and are transparent. Recommend!Response from the ownerWe are pleased to hear that you were satisfied with our service. Thank you for your recommendation, and we look forward to assisting you again in the future. Nicholas Walker ★★★★★ The crew was not available on the day, it was a Saturday and not urgent. Easy booking, courtesy call on the day that plumber was on his way. Well within the anticipated timeslot. Plumber called to confirm task, quickly fixed and good job. Use these guys for all my plumbing and with this service will continue to do so.Response from the ownerThank you for your fantastic feedback, Nicholas! We're delighted to hear that you had a smooth experience with our service. Your continued trust in us means a lot, and we're here to assist you whenever you need plumbing help. We appreciate you choosing Kalamunda Plumbing! Danielle Dunn ★★★★★ Dave was very professional and cleaned up after he had finished. The job was done well and he even changed a tap for me free of charge.Response from the ownerThank you for your wonderful review, Danielle! We're delighted to hear that Dave provided professional service and went above and beyond to assist you. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we appreciate your feedback! Keith Stitt ★★★★☆ Very quick to respond. They were on the job within 10 minutes of my call. Job completed within 30 minutes.Great work.Response from the ownerThank you for your positive review, Keith! We're glad to hear that you were satisfied with our quick response time and the quality of our work. Your support means a lot to us! Kieran Stack ★★★★★ Excellent service, the replacement hot water system was done quicker than expected. Awesome job, thank you.Response from the ownerThank you for your wonderful feedback, Kieran! We're thrilled to hear that you were pleased with our service and the quick installation of your hot water system. Your satisfaction motivates us to continue performing at our best! anthony petrusma ★★★★★ I needed a new hot water service. They responded promptly to my request for a quote, offered a more efficient alternative with options and recommendations which I was happy with, and were able to install 2 days later. Very happy with the workmanship and product performance.Response from the ownerThank you for your wonderful review, Anthony! We're glad to hear that our team was able to respond quickly and provide you with efficient solutions. Your satisfaction with our workmanship and the product means a lot to us. We appreciate your trust in our services! Jo Morris ★★★★★ I always have a great experience with Kalamunda Plumbing - the service is wonderful, friendly and very reliable. Wouldn't use anybody else!Response from the ownerWe appreciate hearing your experience and your belief in our outstanding team. We are committed to meeting and surpassing your expectations. Robin Preston ★★★★★ Great service. Attention to detail is second to none. I would recommend them to anyone.Response from the ownerThankyou Robin for the positive feedback. We are glad that we could solve the issues for you. noel McInnes ★★★★★ The whole team at Kalamunda Plumbing were exceptional from start to finish. From the admin team to the service team nothing was a problem. Highly recommended.Response from the ownerThank you for your wonderful feedback, Noel! We appreciate your kind words about our team and are glad to hear that you had a great experience from start to finish. Your recommendation means a lot to us! Eelke de Boer ★★★★★ Heat pump fixed the day it was reported faulty.Response from the ownerThank you for your positive review, Eelke! We're glad to hear that we could quickly fix the heat pump and provide you with timely service. Your satisfaction is important to us! Marilyn Smith ★★★★★ I can't rate this company highly enough! Their customer service is excellent. Fast, clean work at a reasonable price. Very professional and friendly. Thank you.Response from the ownerThank you for your wonderful feedback, Marilyn! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our customer service and quality of work. Your appreciation motivates us to keep delivering our best. We look forward to serving you again! js_loader

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Kalamunda Plumbing employs a team of professional local plumbers, servicing Perth's Hills and Eastern Suburbs with a proud tradition of delivering Service Excellence since 1954. Get in touch with us today to discuss your water heater, plumbing or drainage needs and speak to one of our friendly team members!