Should You Buy an Electric, Gas or Solar Water Heater? 

27 / 01 / 2023

When choosing a hot water system, you should consider the water heater type (electric, gas or solar) and their upfront and running costs. This is one way to gain long-term savings and get the most out of your hot water system. 

Electric, gas or solar? 

Here’s a quick comparison among the three types: 

  • Electric (cheapest to buy but with the highest running cost) 
  • Gas (traditionally the most economical type because of the good balance between the purchase and running cost) 
  • Solar (most expensive to buy and install but with a low running cost because of the free solar energy) 

Note that each water heater type has its own drawbacks and advantages. But because gas water heaters are economical, they are often the most common choices. Solar hot water systems are fast catching up because of the financial incentives and the technology is becoming more practical now. 

Those are only general statements about the three most common types of hot water systems. Your actual running costs might be far from your estimate because of the following factors: 

  • The size of your household (how many people use the hot water) 
  • How you use hot water (for bath, washing and other purposes) 
  • Your site’s climate (such as sunlight and sun orientation that affects how much solar energy your hot water can use) 
  • Your system’s efficiency (might depend on the hot water’s brand and recency and your entire system’s insulation) 

Annual energy costs typically range into hundreds of dollars. In months of peak use (such as in those unusually cold months), your hot water’s energy cost might get higher (but there could be some offsets when months are unusually hot and humid). 

To maximise your savings, it’s good to do some rough calculations before choosing a hot water system. It also helps to consult a hot water specialist so that you can know what’s best in your area (e.g. perhaps a solar water heater is not practical and a boosted system might be better). For such helpful advice and assistance, you can contact us today here at NSW Hot Water. We can help you make a practical choice that will fit your hot water requirements.