Storage hot water systems:

Hot water is stored in an insulated tank ready for use throughout the day. These water heaters are either electric or gas. They are mains pressure systems and so they do not have a reduced flow of water. Mains pressure means they are capable of supplying more than one tap at a time and therefore, they can be suitable for homes with two or three bathrooms.

Both electric and gas water heaters can go either inside or outside a home. However, outside installations are usually the best because these units are much larger than instantaneous systems and they take up considerably more space. Storage water heaters come in different sizes and the correct size needs to be chosen for the number of people living in the home. Each person uses about 50 litres of hot water each day on average.

These hot water systems are suitable for larger homes and they have a higher flow of water than instantaneous units. This means that you can fill up your bath, sink and washing machine much more quickly with a storage hot water system. But the higher water flow rate can be very costly in the shower.

When taking a shower, you normally need only five litres of hot water per minute mixed with cold water. Instantaneous water heaters supply this amount as a normal function. However, the storage system can supply a massive 13 to 15 litres of hot water in a shower at one time! It may seem fun to stand under a piping hot waterfall on a chilly day but what about the cost? It is certainly much more expensive than an instantaneous water heater.

In Western Australia, it is recommended that families should install a “flow control valve” or valves in bathrooms. The flow control valve will reduce unnecessary excess water flow in a hot shower. These valves reduce the water flow down to a sensible level in showers. However, it is not necessary to install a flow control valve in places where a fast water flow is useful, such as sinks and baths. The valves are cheap to purchase and you will significantly reduce energy costs. You will also save water, a precious resource in Western Australia.

It’s important to purchase the most efficient hot water system that meets the household’s energy needs. Please consider the cost of running the system as well as the impact on the environment. Once you have estimated your daily hot water consumption, your family will be in a better position to find a highly efficient hot water system.

To reduce the cost of running your water heater:

• Take shorter showers.
• Fix leaky hot water taps as soon as possible.
• Don’t leave hot water taps running (not even a little bit).
• Ask your mum or dad to set the thermostat to 60 degrees Celsius on storage hot water systems and 50 degrees Celsius on instantaneous systems.
• Install a AAA rated water efficient showerhead (or a flow control valve) if you have a storage hot water system.
• Turn off the hot water system when you go away on holidays.

For more information about hot water systems, go to:
www1.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au/

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