Is your old hot water system due for replacement?

The day has finally come for you to replace your old hot water system. All those years of wear and tear, extreme temperatures, corrosion and exposure to the elements have taken their toll. Yet, where should you start looking for a suitable replacement? What’s the most affordable and efficient approach, taking into account your existing set-up?

These are questions we hear on a daily basis at Solargain. To help you choose the best replacement for your household, we’ve put together some recommendations based on the type of hot water system you already have installed.

I have a roof-mounted solar hot water system with electric boost, a tank and solar panels on the roof.

Given that you already have a solar hot water system mounted on your roof, you are best replacing this with another roof-mounted or close-coupled style of hot water system. This will reduce labour costs on the installation as all the plumbing and electricals are already in situ. We recommend you choose a Solargain 300L Twin Panel Roof Mount System with Electric Boost. It uses natural circulation technology and requires no moving parts or pumps, making it one of our most reliable and long-lasting systems.

I have an electric hot water system with a round storage tank positioned on the outside of my home.

Electric hot water systems tend to be incredibly inefficient. They use a significant amount of electricity to maintain the temperature of the water in the storage tank at the right level. When paired with an off-peak tariff, this kind of system can seem more economical to run. However, it still consumes a lot of power. As electricity prices continue to rise in Australia and as ‘time-of-use’ metering becomes more prevalent, electric hot water systems on off-peak tariffs will become much more expensive to operate, especially in the long term.

So what should I replace my electric hot water system with, we hear you ask. Well, you have three options. All three recommendations involve switching to solar. However, the type of installation you choose comes down to personal preference:

Firstly, there is a ground-mounted solar hot water system with electric boost and flat, low-profile solar panels on the roof. A ground-mounted storage tank will save you money by using the existing plumbing and electrical fittings that are currently connected to your old electric hot water system. Installation and servicing costs also tend to be lower than regular roof-mounted solar hot water systems, as everything is easier to access, being at ground level. We recommend installing flat solar panels (which are about 75% efficient) in areas with warmer climates as they offer a large surface area and are designed with an open loop water flow.

Your second option is to install a roof-mounted solar hot water system with electric boost. This has the potential to free up a lot of wasted space that your old electric hot water system was taking up. In this case, the plumbing and electrical connections are redirected to the new hot water system, up on the roof. A huge benefit of this kind of system is its reliability. Roof-mounted systems require no pumps and have no moving parts. Instead they rely on the laws of physics, whereby cold water naturally flows down through the solar panels; as it heats up, it rises up into the storage tank ready for use. This type of system works best in warmer climates as the water can flow freely through the panels.

Your final option when replacing an electric hot water system is to choose an evacuated-tube solar hot water system with electric boost. These systems are fantastic for people living in cooler climates or with a higher-than-average demand for hot water. They operate at around 94% efficiency and continue to produce piping hot water, even on overcast and cloudy days. Evacuated-tube hot water systems can be ground mounted or use a split system design. They also offer flexible options for mounting the collection tube panels. Operating without the need for glycol, they rely on direct heat transfer for maximum efficiency. We recommend this kind of system for people living in southern Australia, in level 2 rated (minus 15 degrees) frost prone areas.

I have a gas hot water system with a rectangular storage tank positioned on the outside of my home.

On the face of it, gas hot water systems use approximately the same amount of energy as electric hot water systems. Therefore, with the price of gas currently cheaper than electricity, a gas hot water system may seem like a more affordable option. Yet, as worldwide gas shortages continue, some media outlets are predicting a potential 200-400% increase in the price of gas in Australia over the coming years, blamed on rising international demand for gas. If this is the case, Australian consumers with an average annual gas bill of around $500, may be forking out closer to $2000 for gas each year!

Bearing this in mind, we suggest you consider the long-term benefits that come with switching to solar, or at least weigh up some of the benefits that come from incorporating solar power in your home. If you really enjoy cooking with gas, you might like to weigh up keeping your gas connection, but supplementing it with solar panels to supply the bulk of your electricity needs, batteries to store energy efficiently, as well as solar hot water.

Still need help deciding on the best solar hot water system for your home?

At Solargain, we appreciate the process of choosing a replacement hot water system can be confusing and a bit daunting. That’s where our years of experience installing, servicing and repairing hot water systems come in handy. If you’d like to speak with one of our friendly staff about the best approach for your household, feel free to give us a call on 1300 73 93 55 or you can contact us online.

With Western Australia’s conditions well suited to solar power and over 220,000 solar power systems now installed in Western Australia, there is no denying our love for clean, green energy. However, with a change of government, you might have been wondering what the future holds for renewable energy and solar power in Western Australia since Mark McGowan and WA Labor won the recent state election. We take a look at the impact Premier McGowan’s election commitments might have on this important industry.

First up is his commitment to invest in innovative technologies for the state’s jobs future. Premier McGowan has earmarked $30 million to establish a new solar farm in Collie. This move, to position the area as an important player in the renewable power generation sector, is aimed at diversifying the region’s economy, which has long relied on nearby coalfields to survive.

“We will build a more sustainable future for Collie and surrounding towns by creating a diverse economy, supporting local business, developing skills and creating jobs,” Premier McGowan declared back in January 2017, as one of his election promises.

In the lead up to the election, WA Labor also committed to encourage research-intensive programs into renewable energy and battery technology at our universities. As huge supporters of renewable energy and particularly of battery technology, we’re pleased to see the Government is supporting this area of research and development.

Unlike other states, WA Labour has decided not to introduce a state-based renewable energy target. Instead, they plan to hold discussions with industry and the community to determine what is achievable and affordable.

When it comes to privatisation, Premier McGowan has made an ‘iron-clad guarantee’ that WA Labor will not sell the State Government-owned corporation Western Power to a private operator. The Premier claims that privatising Western Power would only lead to increased electricity prices and a reduction in services. However, this view has been challenged by Rod Sims, Chief of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, who recently told The West Australian that privatising Western Power would lead to lower electricity prices as a new owner would force the corporation to operate more efficiently. Mr Sims is of the opinion that the state’s strong regulatory regime would ensure that any savings made through privatisation would be passed onto consumers.

Given that Western Power poured more than $550 million into State Government coffers in 2015-16, it is not surprising that WA Labor is reluctant to sell this valuable source of revenue. Time will tell which approach is best for the people of Western Australia.

In the meantime, you can take greater control over your electricity bills by switching to solar. By installing a solar power system in your home and potentially pairing it with the latest in battery technology, you’ll have much more certainty over your energy supplies long into the future, regardless of which political party is in power.

For more information about securing your home’s energy resources, give us a call on 1300 73 93 55 or contact of one our solar power specialists online.

Solargain is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with Carbon Neutral as well as its new Green Partner status.

Carbon Neutral helps businesses nationally and internationally to decrease their environmental footprint by supporting them in the assessment, reduction and compensation of their greenhouse gas emissions. With over 15 years of experience in carbon management and consulting, it is the largest biodiverse reforestation offset developer in Australia.

Each year, Solargain contributes to the “Plant a Tree” program and has, since 2013, helped to establish 720 native trees and shrubs in the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor. With this new level, we will be able to plant 570 trees per year.

Solargain also contributes in carbon offsets with projects such as the Cockburn ARC, alone attributing to 168 trees per year. The power generated by the 1MWh system currently being installed will generate enough electricity to power 266 homes a year, equating to removing 416 cars off the road each year.

We are green by nature

Solargain's core business is the sale, supply and installation of products that reduce the carbon footprint of our customers and create a more sustainable community. This is enshrined in our company mission statement which states that "Solargain invests in the lives of others, leading the way towards a sustainable energy future." This statement drives the company and staff to remember that connecting with people and creating positive behavioural change is an essential part of the successful adoption of the technologies we sell.

REDUCE

Our offices minimise the use of fossil fuel grid energy through the adoption of commercial-size solar PV. Our Head Office has been powered by solar panels since 2011, and the 25kW system currently on our roof participates in reducing our carbon offset.

There is very limited water usage in the sale, administration, delivery and installation of solar PV systems. At our offices, we do what we can by ensuring we have water conserving dual flush toilets and reduced flow shower heads in any bathrooms.

Our carbon footprint from transport comes from several inevitable sources including product delivery, staff movement and system installations. To deal with / offset this issue, we have implemented several strategies:

• Make outbound travel only when necessary (deal with as much as you can at your place of work before getting in the car);
• Company cars provided to staff are of a compact 4-cylinder nature;
• Where possible, use E10 ethanol blend fuel in company cars;
• Because of the size of our operation, we bulk order product in container loads as opposed to small job lots, reducing overall delivery transport requirements;
• Offset travel impact with the Carbon Neutral tree planting program.

As Solargain has both an outbound sales force and its own warranty and service division, we also schedule customer appointments together in areas, which minimises travel and transport requirements.

REUSE

• Hot water

  Our hot water division has a re-use program where second-hand hot water systems, removed from customer roofs when the new systems are installed, are not disposed of, but are refurbished and used as temporary units when it is required to get customers hot water on the same day. This is in circumstances were it might take us a couple of days to get their new solar unit installed. This re-use dramatically extends the productive life of the old unit, which would have otherwise gone straight to landfill.

• PV

  On the solar photovoltaic side of the business, we have also created a secondary sales market for older panels to be re-used. Many older solar systems with 170W / 190W panels are not compatible for upgrade with the current 250W / 260W panels. Rather than merely replace them with new ones and discard the older panels, Solargain offers these older panels for re-use to customers who prefer to upgrade with second-hand panels compatible with their existing equipment. Both of these practices are part of our standard procedures for all clients in these positions. In addition to re-purposing panels, we aspire to minimise waste by refurbishing inverters.

RECYCLE

• Cardboard

  There is significant cardboard packaging waste from operating a solar panel supply and installation business. Solargain has recycling bins set up at each of its premises. Installers bring back any cardboard waste to base for weekly recycling pickup.

• Metal

  Aluminium off-cuts from rails are taken back to Solargain’s depots, aggregated and recycled with local metal scrap recycling organisations every 1-2 months.

As you can see, sustainability is in our DNA, so signing on as a Carbon Neutral Green Partner was a no brainer. If you want to purchase solar from a company that is leading the way towards a renewable energy future, Solargain is the right fit for you. Call us on 1300 73 93 55 or contact us.

At Solargain, we understand the devil is in the details, which is why we select the best quality materials to install and service your solar power system. Plus, we keep track of the items we use, so we can be proactive in informing our customers, should any issue arise.

It’s the little things that count

Coated stainless steel cable ties

Our experience has shown us that stainless steel cable ties have the potential to cut into the system’s DC cables and create faults down the track. This is why we only supply polyester-coated stainless steel cable ties instead. Their smooth rounded edges prevent them from perforating the cables and damaging the system.

Genuine MC4 connectors

Another detail that sets us apart is the connectors’ quality: Solargain uses exclusively genuine MC4 connectors to connect solar panels, as they provide a better electrical connection than connectors from other brands. MC stands for Multi-Contact (the manufacturer) and 4 relates to the diameter of the contact pin (4 mm). However, performance comes at a price, which is why most solar companies prefer to use cheaper connectors to the detriment of safety.

True DC Isolators

Finally, we stay on top of all things solar and are committed to informing our customers as well as the wider public on important industry news.

For instance, when a number of DC isolator switches were recalled by the Australian Government last year, Solargain published the list of concerned models along with advice on how to check that your DC isolator is not a hazard.

Solargain solely provides IMO Solar's market leading True DC Isolators, a range of isolators specifically designed for solar use and conforming to the International Electrotechnical Commission's standards (EN 60364-7-712). With more than 3 million inverters fitted with True DC Isolators, not one electrical failure has been recorded.

You're in safe hands with Solargain

If you have any concerns or questions about the safety of your system, feel free to call our Service department on 1300 73 93 55.

If you wish to purchase a solar power system with quality components, please contact our Sales team.

Over the past year, Choice magazine and the CSIRO have partnered up to test and review some of the most commonly sold solar panels in Australia. This is excellent for consumers, as it highlights the most popular panels and quantifies their features. Now, the results are in.

After a full year of exposure to all sorts of Australian weather conditions, the JinkoSolar panel came second overall and was one of only two modules to score over 90%. It was also one of two modules to receive an “excellent” performance rating. It comfortably outperformed all other modules in its price range, with the highest performing - and only other panel receiving an excellent rating - being over 70% more expensive than the JinkoSolar. There’s no one feature that can be attributed to the performance of the JinkoSolar panel in its price category, rather a combined effort of many seemingly minor technical enhancements.

JinkoSolar, the world’s largest producer of solar panels, subjects its products to more stringent tests than other manufacturers. This ensures that their panels can handle anything that the Australian climate throws at them and will continue to do so for many years. An example of this is JinkoSolar being the first Chinese manufacturer to receive the Qualification Plus (Q+) certification from TÜV Rheinland. TÜV Rheinland does independent certification for solar modules. To be able to install solar panels in most countries (including Australia), the panels need to meet IEC61215 and IEC61730. Q+ by TÜV Rheinland is a far more rigorous test, particularly for mechanical robustness which is very important in Australian conditions. It also tests hot spots, insulation and wet-freezing cycle.

The JinkoSolar panel has excellent low-light performance and high-heat tolerance compared to other popular modules in the test. This is very important, as panels spend much more time in the lower light than in perfect lighting conditions. In fact, panels will never find themselves in the same conditions as the testing chamber by which it receives its nameplate output – Standard Test Conditions (STC). The JinkoSolar panel performs better in more realistic conditions, with a higher output at Nominal Operating Cell Temperature (NOCT) than other panels. This is one of the main reasons why two panels with the same peak or nameplate performance can differ in yearly yield.

For added peace of mind and to ensure transparency with the Australian market, JinkoSolar has invited the Australian Solar Council into its factory to conduct independent inspections for the Positive Quality program. This is completely voluntary, and provides consumers further confidence knowing that the Australian Solar Council has inspected the facility and confirmed that such products are an excellent fit for the Australian market. Click here to read more about Positive Quality from the Australian Solar Council and see all the manufacturers that have allowed the Australian Solar Council into their factory.

There are many other small benefits that make JinkoSolar panels perfect for our conditions, such as lower temperature coefficients, good weak-light performance and Potential Induced Degradation (PID)-free panels at 85 degrees. This is why many households in Australia and the world are choosing JinkoSolar, the world’s largest producer of solar panels. Not only are homes choosing JinkoSolar, but utility-scale projects too. JinkoSolar panels were chosen for the 1.8MW farm in Uluru – the harshest of Australian conditions. With all the benefits of these panels, the confidence in choosing panels selected for solar farms in the desert, and award-winning performance in reputable tests like this one from Choice and the CSIRO, it’s no wonder the JinkoSolar panel is one of Australia’s most popular and best value-for-money panels.

For more information about this test, visit the Choice website.

If you’ve recently noticed water dribbling from your hot water system, don’t panic, it may not be a leak you need to worry about.

In the heat of summer, the valves in your hot water system can drip. In fact, hot water systems are designed to release a small amount of water (particularly on hot days) to regulate pressure in the water tank, ensuring it doesn’t over pressurise. However, if the amount of water that your system releases is more than the occasional drip, you may have a serious leak on your hands. In this case, you’ll be paying to heat water, only for it to go to waste.

How will I know if my hot water system is operating normally or if it needs repairs?

If your hot water system is dribbling water it is either releasing pressure from the water tank (which is a normal safety feature) OR the valve is faulty. Here’s how to tell the difference between the two. Hint, the main things to monitor are:

• the amount of water that’s dribbling from your hot water system
• how often it’s leaking

Pressure relief valves

If your system is only leaking every now and then, and only small amounts, it’s likely your pressure relief valves are simply doing their job. There are two safety valves on a hot water cylinder:

• A Pressure and Temperature Relief (PTR) valve
  During the heating cycle, the PTR valve discharges drops of hot water to the drain line in order to relieve the pressure generated by overheating. This can also occur when the outside temperature rises (such as on hot summer days). The PTR valve is a safety mechanism designed to prevent your hot water tank from over pressurising.


• An Expansion Control Valve (ECV)
  The ECV will open and release water if the pressure from the main water supply exceeds the pressure of the ECV. Unlike the PTR valve, though, the water it releases is cold, which is less energy consuming and extends the PTR’s life span. In certain areas of Australia, it is even compulsory to have an ECV fitted to the cold water supply line.

Both of these valves are designed to allow a small amount of water to drip from your hot water system (particularly on hot days), to ensure the pressure in the water tank doesn’t build up too high. However, it’s important to note that the amount of water being lost should only be minor and it should only happen intermittently. If your tank is constantly dribbling water, it’s likely your system has developed an actual leak requiring repairs.

What could be causing my hot water system to leak?

There are a number of common faults which can cause hot water systems to leak:

• If your valve is constantly dripping, there may be tiny particles of grit caught in it. More specifically, the seal in the valve is probably damaged (by small bits of sand or minerals) and will no longer seal properly. It is worth noting that PTR valve seals don’t last forever, and we recommend having them inspected once or twice a year, to ensure they’re sealing properly. Solargain can help you clear the valve or replace it if necessary and remedy the problem.
• If the water stream is stable and lasting and if you have particularly high water pressure at your house, this can also cause your system to leak. In this case, you’ll probably just need a Pressure Limiting Valve (PLV) installed. We can test the pressure of your water supply, determine if you need a PLV and install one all in the one visit.
• If a high volume of hot water is pouring from your system, there are a multitude of possible causes. Depending on whether you have an electric boosted or gas boosted system, the shutdown procedure will differ too.

In dire circumstances like this (and to save you from losing any more hot water and money down the drain), we suggest you give us a call to arrange a visit with one of our experienced technicians. They’ll inspect your hot water system, identify what’s causing the leak and have it fixed in no time.

Troubleshooting your hot water system

The simplest way to tell whether your hot water system is simply relieving pressure or if it’s faulty, is by putting an empty ice-cream container under the pipe for an hour and measuring how much water you collect. Once you know roughly how much water your system is losing, call us on 1300 73 93 55 or contact us and we’ll help you determine what’s causing the leak and will fix the issue.