Hot Water Systems in Merino

Hot water systems in Merino

Across Merino, more locals are quietly upgrading to modern, energy efficient hot water systems. With most homes being separate houses and many owned outright, it makes sense for homeowners to invest in long term savings rather than keep paying high running costs on an old gas or electric hot water system. With an average household size of 1.9 people and a median household income of around $789 a week, every dollar off the power bill counts.

Merino’s climate is actually well suited to efficient hot water. The town enjoys mean daily solar exposure of about 15.4 MJ/m², or roughly 4.3 kWh of sunlight per square metre per day over the year. That strong solar resource supports both a solar hot water system and a heat pump hot water system, especially when paired with rooftop solar. Switching from older gas or resistive electric to a modern heat pump or solar hot water heating system can easily cut hot water energy use by half or more, adding up to substantial Annual Hot Water Energy Savings for Merino households.

In a postcode of only 154 dwellings, hot water demand is steady but not huge, so choosing the right hot water system size is important. Many homes are two or three bedroom places, so a 200–300 litre tank is often ideal. Hot water typically accounts for 20–30% of a home’s electricity use, so upgrading to the most efficient hot water system you can afford is one of the quickest ways to trim bills. Locally, we see a mix of traditional electric hot water systems, some remaining gas units on properties, and growing interest in heat pump hot water installation and solar hot water installation as systems reach the end of their life.

Here are typical annual bill savings Merino households might see with a smart hot water installation:

• Old electric to heat pump hot water system: save about $350–$700 per year
• Gas to heat pump hot water: save around $250–$600 per year
• Gas to solar hot water system: save roughly $250–$550 per year
• Old electric to modern electric hot water system run on solar: save about $200–$500 per year

Brands like Rheem heat pump hot water and Rheem solar hot water are common choices for reliable, well supported systems, while Sanden heat pump units are popular for those chasing the best heat pump hot water system performance and very low running costs. Rinnai solar hot water and Chromagen solar hot water options also suit Merino’s strong sun, and are often chosen when people compare heat pump vs solar hot water and want to stay with a familiar brand. Many locals simply ask for the best hot water system Australia wide for their budget and let our installers match a product to the site.

In Merino, there have already been 11 efficient hot water systems installed, combining heat pump and solar hot water. Installations peaked between 2008 and 2010, with steady numbers in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014. While there have been fewer recent installs recorded, enquiries are picking up again as power prices rise and residents look at electrification, solar hot water vs electric hot water, and electric hot water vs gas hot water. Each new heat pump hot water system or solar hot water tank replacement helps cut running costs and emissions for the community.

Hot Water Rebates, Tariffs & Savings

Right now, there is growing interest in hot water VIC upgrades as Merino homeowners replace ageing gas or electric units with a more energy efficient hot water system, whether that is a heat pump hot water system, a modern electric hot water system or a solar hot water heating system. Federal incentives through Small scale Technology Certificates (STCs) apply to eligible heat pump and solar hot water systems, effectively acting as an upfront discount. On top of that, state based heat pump hot water rebate and solar hot water rebate programs, plus an electric hot water system rebate in some cases, can significantly reduce the hot water system price / cost for Merino households.

When you add these rebates together, it is common for the heat pump hot water price / cost or solar hot water price / cost to be cut by a substantial percentage. That means payback periods can drop to just a few years, especially if you already have solar and use timers or solar diversion to heat water during the day. Many Merino homes can save hundreds of dollars per year on bills with the right hot water repair or replacement, and there are also hot water rebate VIC options that reward moving away from gas.

If your current unit is old, noisy or unreliable, it is a good time to look at a hot water upgrade. Whether you are comparing heat pump vs solar hot water, weighing up solar hot water vs electric hot water, or just want a straightforward electric hot water installation, our experienced local team can help. We handle hot water installation and hot water repair across Merino, and work with leading brands like Rheem, Rinnai, Sanden and Chromagen to match systems to local conditions.

To see what is possible for your place in Merino, it is worth having a quick chat with trusted hot water installers who understand regional homes and tariffs. An efficient hot water system can future proof your home, cut bills, reduce emissions and make the most of Merino’s sunshine. Reach out to our local hot water VIC specialists for personalised advice, from solar hot water repair to full system design, and find the right hot water systems Merino solution for your home or business today.