Hot Water Heaters Section
Hot Water Heaters
Hot water heaters are appliances which provide a constant supply of warm water.
Other names for these devices are boilers, heat exchangers and geysers.
The principle of hot water heaters is simple but implementation can be complex.
In essence, the water heating mechanism is a thermodynamic process which uses energy to heat up water above the initial temperature.
The hot water is then distributed around the house for anyone to use it. The most common source of heating energy is gas but solar system become increasingly popular.
Many of us do not appreciate hot water heaters until these appliances break.
Hot water heaters' installation and repairs are costly and require licensed tradesmen.
Types of Hot Water Heaters
There are two basic types of hot water heaters:
- Storage hot water systems
- Continuous flow hot water heaters
- Instantaneous hot water systems
Storage hot water systems heat the water and store it in a well insulated tank.
These devices have the advantage of using main pressure or the gravity to provide hot water.
Continuous flow (or instantaneous) hot water heaters heat water but they do not store it.
These devices can operate on gas, electricity or solar energy.
Instantaneous hot water systems often use hi-tech interfaces to set and control temperature.
Contrary, the storage hot water systems have excessively slow response to quick temperature adjustments and the heat cannot be controlled easily.
The energy sources for hot water heaters include:
- Solar Energy
- Natural Gas
- Electricity
Hot Water Heaters' Prices
The choice of hot water heater depends on many factors.
In areas where sun is adequately available solar panels are encouraged by governments.
In Australia rebates for solar hot water system can constitute 40% of the total price of the unit plus installation.
The system of two solar panels with a backup heater currently costs $3000 (including installation)
Gas hot water heaters are relatively inexpensive. The price ranges between $250 (for a cheap and ugly duck) to $3500 for a sophisticated unit.
However, the installation of gas systems is not cheap. Normally, $250-$450 should be sufficient to install the unit but higher costs are not uncommon.
Be aware that the cost of installation depends on the location, difficulty of transport, weight of the unit and the gas supply.
It is not unusual to pay $1000+ to install a brand new gas heater in the old house.
Hot Water Heaters' Installation
Remember, the hot water heaters use thermal energy which can be lethal if inappropriately installed.
Both legal standards and the common sense dictates that only licensed tradesmen should install these devices.
In the case of gas hot water heaters only plumber who is licensed to handle gas system can install such devices.
A brother-in law or neighbour without the license is excluded from the list of approved installers.
A lot of companies include the cost of installation within the price of the unit.
In the case of solar hot water system a flat rate of $3000 (after government rebate) provides the entire deal.
Hot Water Heaters' Repairs
As with the installation, the repairs also require the licensed tradesman to repair the units.
In the case of solar or electrical hot water heaters, a qualified electrician should perform the task.
For gas systems only the licensed gas plumber can touch the unit. Again, none of the jobs should be undertaken by amateurs.
Repairs of hot water heaters can be expensive but some of the tradesmen go totally overboard.
Generally, you should pay no more than $160/hour for labour plus the price of parts.
The replacement of the thermostat in the gas hot water system should set you back by no more than $180.
Brands of Hot Water Heaters
There are numerous hot water heaters' brands which supply hot water heaters for decades. The best known are:
- Rheem a company with a very good reputation and operating for the past 60 years. They offer a great range of high quality gas, electric and solar hot water heaters.
- Dux - operating since 1915. The Dux Hot Water Systems became a first choice for many Australian home builders.
- Beasley - experts in the latest solar hot water system.
- Bosch - well known company to supply options like no other. They offer hot water heaters to almost all situations and budgets.
- Rinnai - well known within Australia since 1971.
- Edwards - another solar hot water heaters specialists. Edwards has been operating in Australia since 1963.