Homeowners

Congratulations on thinking about solar water heating. By using solar energy for hot water you will be using a cheap and clean energy source. You can save money, reduce your household impact on climate change and you’ll also be helping to reduce New Zealand’s dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

This FLASH presentation is a summary of all the information that is present on the solar.energywise.govt.nz/consumers website. It provides an overview of the points to consider when installing a solar water heating system, components of a system, the different solar water heating technologies and the funding assistance available for people installing a solar water heating system.

Lower energy bills

In summer you may be able to get all your hot water from your solar water heating system. In winter, or on less sunny days, you’ll need some extra heating from your ‘booster’ gas, electricity or wetback supply.

How much money you save from solar water heating will depend on things like how much hot water you use, the type of system you install and the quality of the installation.

For an average household an effective solar water heating system will:

• provide up to 75% of your annual hot water needs

• cut about 2500kWh from your annual electricity use

• save between $350 and $450 a year, depending on the cost of your electricity or gas supply

• Save up to 2 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year.

You may be eligible for government finance assistance. To check whether you qualify see our funding options.