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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Kalamunda 6076

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Excellent4.9 Based on 432 reviews from review us onMargaret Pember ★★★★★ Very happy with service Trent was veryhelpfulResponse from the ownerThank you, Margaret. I am confident that Trent will be thrilled with the Positive feedback! Dylan Ehlers ★★★★★ Definitely recommend. Top service from David. Aircon booked in for just a service but found the pads had had it. He ordered new ones was able to get them picked up and come back and install them same day. ThankyouResponse from the ownerThank you, Dylan, for sharing your positive feedback. We always strive to go above and beyond to ensure that your evaporative air conditioning systems are well taken care of. Alison Anderson ★★★★★ Great communication and excellent professional service by the plumber who fixed leak. Happy 100,%Response from the ownerEffective communication is essential to our team, and we are pleased to hear that you are satisfied with Trent's work. Ann Noble ★★★★★ Prompt and efficient service. I’ve been using them for about thirty years and never even tried anyone else. Why would I? Thanks fellasResponse from the ownerWere proud to have such long-standing relationship's with valued customers like you. It’s clear we've earned your loyalty over the years, and we are committed to maintaining that trust. Lena Kovalskaya ★★★★★ A huge 'Thank you' to Anthony, Eathon, Luke and Clayton for the great job they did in my property- outdoor shower and hot water heater installation!! Everything was done in time, highly professionally, and they tidy everything up after finishing. I am very happy and definitely will be back when needed.Many thanks again!!Response from the ownerThanks for your review, Lena! We look forward to helping you in the future. Tim Murray ★★★★★ Great service, recommendations and advice. Top team!!Response from the ownerWhat a Fantastic review Tim, Thank you! 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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! 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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!