Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

My parents who live near Noosa have both - the off peak large tank setup on electric plus they have a small instant tank heater on another tariff (Its not always on but is available all the time except 6pm to 9pm i think).

Electric Units are available. I've also seen solar / electric combos available with the electric being on the 24hr tariff.

Plus I think if you got a sparky in they might switch your current off peak tank to peak supply (or the one inbetween).

Our holiday house at Teewah has that setup but with a smaller tank - we just turn it on when we arrive and within 2 hours you've got hot water (could be dodgy of course!)

Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

Hmmm 6-9pm is the crucial time.

I really would like to hear more about the Rheem Heat Pump systems.

Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

from what i recall when I was in Australia its all about which tariff you pick rather than the actual systems.

The ones that store water take longer to heat up but are cheaper to run due to the electricity tariff being off peak. There is a box in your power cabinet which responds to a spike sent down the electricity line which tells it to turn on the off-peak power. I think there was 3 different electricity models (Peak (24 hr), Economy (18 hrs) and Off Peak). You need a meter for each plus one of these white boxes to switch it all on and off.

I've now been in the UK for 8 years or so but I've seen some interesting setups here - my current place has a immersion heater (which is pretty much what you have in your place now I suspect) and then a gas powered boiler. From what I can work out the boiler heats the water from immersion heater. The immersion heater could be turned on (we don't at the moment - "summer" and all) and then the gas would just top it up unless you have totally run out. I guess - I'm no plumber. Having said that it appears to be wired up to the the same meter as the rest and hence i suspect its all on the peak tariff (not sure if off peak exists in the UK).

We had a family of four in Oz in a large house with just the off peak heater around 200L I think and we never ran out of hot water ever.... That was in Brisbane. But I don't have the English love of baths in me and we are water conservationists (not smelly ones!). Our water bill (metered) in london is a fifth of our neighbours (unmetered).

So I'd just suck it and see. If you are in Brisbane I really don't think its going to be an issue but that all depends on usage.

Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

Been way too long since I left England so I trust your observations. They say a person uses on average 50L of hot water so with a household of two and one child our 140L tank is borderline especially in the cold of winter.
I need to check what rate electricity I am on and whether I can change it otherwise going heat pump on off-peak electricity may be pointless.

Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

a bigger tank may be the way ahead.

Looking at the rheem site stuff has moved on since I was out there last.

Click this for Water Heater porn!
http://www.rheem.com.au/domestic_bro...list&sub_cat=1

The optima seems to mention a twin element which I suspect is one element hooked up to off peak and one element hooked up to continuous electrical supply which may be a match for your needs.

anyway good luck!

Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

Well it looks like I will not be eligible for the government rebate of $1,000. This makes the heat pump system price $2,5xx (instead of $1,5xx). Is this still worth going for?

Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

discobay;

you can use the existing water tank to heat on the off peak at night from about 11.30pm to 7.00am there is two meters, one for off peak heating the other for normal day use of power, if the water starts to get cold there is a changeover switch in the switchboard all you need to do is switch over to normal tariff'.

I know you may say this is expensive & Yes your right but at the end of the day you can get very cheat hot water overnight, you may want to consider having a larger water tank installed thus giving you enough hot water from the night Tarrif to last through the day.

Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

I'd say it depends how long you plan to stay at the property.... if long term (10+ years) then it's probably worth it, otherwise I wouldnt bother...

JMHO :o

Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

By switch board I guess you mean the fuse box?
You are probably right in that I should get a larger tank fitted. I have been put off by gas/solar fitters saying that the system I have is outdated and no longer useful and expensive to run. I will get some quotes for a larger tank.

Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

Yep you might be right. Will rethink.

Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

discobay;

the people in the solar industry are only looking after them self, the batteries after 5 years shall require replacement, the hot water service will last for many years & is still very popular, in this day & age the off peak tarrif is cheaper than gas in the very near future gas shall continue to rise more than electricity you shall be getting off peak power at a very cheap rate the switchboard is the fuse box, over here its known as the switchboard this is where all switchboards & meters are located

Re: Changing from electricity hot water heating
 

It turns out that my system is a heating element inside the hot water cylinder - a very old design. I have been quoted 1500 for a larger electric storage hot water system. How are these different from what I have?
Also the value of the RECs has gone down so the RECs rebate has reduced making heat pump systems more expensive than when I first started this thread - at around 3000 now!