The task of navigating the wide range of hot water cylinders available to find the one best suited to your home can often be a daunting mission. With an array of sizes and electric, gas and solar all available as sources of energy, it can be confusing to determine which one is the most appropriate one for you. Explore some handy tips below to help you decide how to go about approaching the task and to discern some pros and cons for each of the hot water cylinders available to you.
#1 Determine a budget
The first way to get started on the process of determining your ideal hot water cylinder is to consider which method is going to be the most cost effective for you. This will mostly involve deciding whether you would rather save money in the buying and installation stage of the process or save money in the long run. While electrically powered hot water cylinders are often the cheapest system to buy and install initially, they may end up costing you more down the track due to the generally expensive nature of electricity. Alternatively, while both gas and solar systems may initially be a fair bit pricier to install, their reliance is not on the price of electricity and may ultimately save you money in the future. The amount of hot water that you typically use, or plan to use, in your household is also something important to consider when deciding how cost-effective each of the different hot water cylinders could be for you.
#2 Consider environmental factors
Another significant thing to consider when deciding on a hot water system is the environmental impact of each different energy source. Solar heating is considered to be the best choice if you are looking for the option that will allow you to most effectively reduce your carbon footprint. Utilising the sun’s endless supply of energy is a great way to limit the amount of greenhouse gases that your household produces. Gas systems are also a more environmentally friendly option with both natural and LPG gas systems on par with each other in terms of emissions. Electrical systems produce the most emissions out of the three energy resources.
#3 Find a space
The final thing to consider is where on your property you plan to put your new hot water cylinder. While most systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes, it is important to note that while some have the capacity to operate both indoors and outdoors, others may be slightly more limited to an indoor setting. If you are looking to free up some storage space and install your hot water cylinder outdoors, there is flexibility in where you can place an electric cylinder as they are able to be installed both indoors and outdoors. Gas systems may also be installed indoors or outdoors. If installed outdoors, however, both electric and gas systems may require some form of shelter in order to protect them from the elements. Solar systems may be installed in a variety of ways. While most systems obviously utilise roof space in order to soak up those sun rays, a heat pump is a solar option which does not require roof space.
There are many factors to consider when exploring the different types of hot water cylinders available. Be sure to be aware of the various pros and cons of each in order to find a system that is going to best meet your expectations and ensure that you are satisfied with your installation.