Solar Hot Water

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Solar hot water installation is a highly popular choice in Brisbane, where we have plenty of sun year round. Solar hot water systems use roof mounted solar panels (called collectors) or evacuated tubes to heat water. The heated water flows through to your storage tank.

• Energy efficient – can save up to 70% of water heating energy consumption.
• Reduces carbon emissions – solar systems can currently save up to 1.0 to 2.5 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum.
• Complete range – We offer a range of hot water systems, from suppliers such as Rheem and Apricus including both split, ground mounted systems and complete roof mounted models in a variety of capacities.
• All weather protection – Rheem Premier® Loline series feature unique, drain-back heat exchange technology, that prevents the solar system from freezing, or overheating during weather extremes.
• Booster options – Our range of solar hot water systems are available with electric or gas boosting, providing hot water year round, no matter what the conditions.

Collectors: There are two main types of collectors – flat panel and evacuated tube

Flat panel: These are conventional solar collectors that transfer solar heat to the storage tank.

Flat Panel collectors are the most common solar collectors. They work by absorbing energy from the sun’s ray and transferring this energy to channels in the collector. Your water heats as it passes through channels in the solar collector. Then water circulates between the collector and the tank until it reaches the correct temperature.

The advantages of flat panel collectors are:

• They work really well in tropical locations with hot temperatures.
• They are reasonably priced
• It’s a relatively simple technology that has stood the test of time and is low maintenance.
• They provide significant energy cost saving and have low greenhouse gas emissions.
• Most flat panel solar collectors are fitted with a gas or electric booster to ensure that there is hot water in colder weather or on cloudy days.

We supply and install Rheem, Apricus and Rinnai flat panel systems.

Evacuated tube: An alternative method of solar hot water heating.

Simply explained, a set of tubes with a manifold at the top connects to your water tank. The tubes comprise a few different elements. Each tube contains purified water which boils at a low temperature, so the heat from sunlight converts it to steam . This steam rises to the top of the tube, to the manifold, heating the cooler water there. Evacuated tubes are constructed with heat conducting material which enables maximum heat transfer with minimum sunlight.

The evacuated tube technology works using principles similar to the flat panel but is a superior technology. It has:

• Excellent cold weather performance.
• Resistance to frost conditions.
• Better and faster heat generating capability as the tubes have a greater surface area exposed to sunlight and better heat transfer capability.
• Low installation and maintenance requirements.

Evacuated Tube payback can be significantly better due to greater efficiency.

We supply and install the Apricus range of evacuated tube products.

Boosters: There are two types of boosters – gas and electricity.

Even in the Sunshine State, we could have a few cold, cloudy days. This is why all solar hot water systems are also fitted with a conventional energy booster. We like to ensure you still have hot water, even when there’s not enough solar energy!

Gas: A gas booster will ensure that your household or commercial enterprise has access to a constant flow of hot water at the desired temperature. Gas boosters are more expensive to install, but can provide unlimited hot water. This is great for situations where hot water demand is high, and can’t be met by panels alone.

You can choose a gas booster for both instantaneous and storage versions.

Electric: Normally cheaper to supply and install than a gas booster system. An electric hot water unit is slower to reheat, so may not suit some installations with high hot water demand.

Even if you live in a tropical region, you’ve got to make a provision for the odd cold and cloudy day, if you are looking at solar hot water installation. 

Electric can consume more energy as it heats water in the tank as soon as the temperature drops below the setting, regardless of demand.

Storage tanks: There are two types of storage tanks – Thermosiphon and Split System.

 

Thermosiphon: This is also called a Hi-line system where we install both the collector and storage tank on your roof. We use this type of storage tank when there is less space on the ground, but your roof needs to be strong enough to hold the weight of a full water tank.

Split System: Also known as Lo-line system, the collector is on the roof, but the storage tank is on ground, using a pump to recirculate water to the roof unit. This works in situations where the roof cannot hold a water tank. Some existing water heaters can be retrofitted as solar storage tanks.

Factors to consider when choosing solar hot water installation:

• Product cost
• Ease of installation
• Energy tariffs and efficiency

As you can see there are a few different options and combinations to consider. That’s why we highly recommend that you call us early in the process. We will help you make the right choice by evaluating your site, discussing your options and giving you a detailed quote which includes cost comparisons.

For all our other brochures, manuals and tech specs including commercial products, check out here.

Solar Rebates

Governments are offering STC’s around Australia to lower the cost of going solar. Just remember, your payback period depends on the climate, type of system installed, hot water use and the tariff applied.

The cost of your solar water heater is subsidised by the application of small-scale technology certificates or STC’s.

• STC’s are a form of currency created by the Federal Government and are used to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Governments Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
• All solar water heaters installed by us comply with the Renewable Energy Target (RET) Scheme and qualify for Zone 3 STC’s.
• All systems that are Government approved have a number of STC’s allotted to them, the number varies depending on brand, size and style.
• The value of an STC is determined by an open market much like shares and this can vary.

Our quote is comprehensive. It covers price, cost, comparative values and the STC that will apply. Ask us for more information.

Salmon Plumbing and Future Advancements: In an era of constant innovation, Salmon Plumbing stands at the forefront, actively engaging in research on water and electrical efficiency. This dedication guarantees that our customers receive cutting-edge solutions, maximizing performance and minimizing environmental impact.

Forget guesswork. Energy efficiency is a science, and at Salmon Plumbing, we’re masters of it. We don’t just recommend systems; we optimize them for maximum savings. Our team’s rigorous training and independent research on water and electrical efficiency means we understand every nuance of energy consumption. We’ll meticulously analyze your usage, identify areas for improvement, and provide a solution that slashes your bills and reduces your carbon footprint.