jamieffi

I'm currently a plumber back home with qualifications in solar hot water. Due to climate change it seems to be getting more and more popular in Britain, and was wondering due to the lovely sunshine over there if theres a big call for solar hot water installers. Oh yeah and is there plenty for kids to do in cairns (That should keep the missis off my back!)

wanderingwombat

Qld regulations now require solar water systems on all new builds, the only issue may be your plumbing licence.

As for things for kids in Cairns - which sport?

Search the forum for Cairns and plumbing licences in QLD.
WW

jamieffi

Cheers thats Great thanks As for the kids thing, they'll do anything that will occupy them

youngy73

not true wombat. you can aslo go for gas hot water. from what im seeing the gas is far more popular due to being less expensive to install.

Whingin Pom

I think that the government will give you a grant to fit solar water on a new build which covers most of the cost.

youngy73

incorrect. there is a rebate but gas is still cheapest to install.

jamieffi

surely solar would be the best, due to type of climate there is. The suns energy has got to be cheaper then gas

youngy73

agreed. but this is australia not england. the first question here is what is the cheapest. people look for today and not tomorrow. in the uk i found most people would go for something in the middle. not the top, not the bottom, but the middle. australia is the cheapest nearly all the time

wanderingwombat

The problem with solar is the pay back period. Usually this is significantly longer than the original owner will live in the house. Hence the cheaper gas option.

WW

Neil51

Solar thermal works very well in Austrlalia. When considering system payback period, it is erroneous to just consider present gas prices. Gas prices will undoubtedly rise in the future when supplies deplete. What you have with solar thermal systems is a very rieliable (approx 25yrs minimum) lifetime system that will give you security against fluctuation gas or electric prices. This is excluding the grants you can get for installation and future economic benefits that may come in the future when (as in the UK) the carbon footpring of homes will have an impact on value.

I've sent you a private message Jamieffi,

Whingin Pom

If I remember the figures were something like 6ish K to install, then with a grant, rebate or whatever of over 4k. Thiss was just an informal conversation with a sales rep so you can't quote me on that.

So if its only 2-3k to pay back then it aint gonna take long for you to start to feel the benifits of free hot water.

youngy73

payback period is about is 6 to 8 years.

wanderingwombat

Many buyers initially plan for no more than 3 years at the one address.

From memory the average (whatever that is?) period of actual first-home/second-home ownership was not more than about 5 years.

Hence the short-term (not so smart) choice to not use solar.

WW

jamieffi

Don't you think that not only is it efficient for the home owners, but a good selling point when the time comes. I think it would be great to move into a new home and not have to worry about gas bills. But hey thats just my opinion, going on what i've experienced where i live.