Many forumers and also customers ask me this question, How much electricity can solar water heater save and is it worth it?
I would say the main reason to get a solar water heater is to have a good and relaxing shower. I believe most forumers are using instant water heater and are not satisfied with the low water pressure and small shower head. If u wan to use a big rain shower and have strong water pressure, you must use a solar water heater. Saving electricity is just a bonus and it could save upto RM1k per year depending on how big your family is.

Why should we get a solar water heater?
1) For comfort
2) To save electricity

For Comfort

If you enjoy strong water pressure and rain shower effect like the 5 stars hotel, you will need to get either a storage heater or a solar heater. Storage heater is cheaper compared to a solar water heater. However, if u have 4-5 bathrooms, you will need to buy a few units and you also need to wait minimum 10-15 minutes for the water to boil before you can shower. Storage tank is usually recommended only for condo or if u have less than 3 person using hot water.
Solar heater on the other hand, uses the heat of the sun to generate hot water. Cold water will travel through the solar panels, when water gets hot, it will turn into steam and rise into the storage tank. The solar storage tank acts like a thermos, thatz y you will still have hot water at night and you do not need to wait for the water to boil as 60gal of hot water is stored in the solar storage tank. Imagine after a day of hard work, you will sure want to go home and have a nice shower. YOu wouldnt want to wait 10-15 minutes before you can shower. You also wouldnt wan to shower using instant heater with low water pressure.


Save Electricity
Storage Heater and Instant Heater uses electricity to generate hot water. Any electrical appliances that generate heat consumes a lot of electricity. Eg: Iron, Ceramic Hob and hair dryer consumes a lot of electricity. Solar Heater on the other hand uses the heat of the sun to generate hot water, so it does not use any electricity at all. We assume that you have 5 person at home, if u use a solar water heater, you could save RM 0.70 per person per day (some might shower 2-3times a day and it would cost more than 70cents), one year you can save RM 1,277.50

What do you need to use this system?
You will need to install hot water piping which most people will go for copper pipes. With this system you can have hot water for your shower, basin, kitchen sink and even your washing machine. Just let your plumber know where you wan to have hot water and they will prepare the piping for you.

This system is expensive as you need to add hot water piping.
Many would complain about the high initial cost of this system. Usually would cost around RM 10k for the piping cost plus the Solar Heater. You extend your kitchen 20-30k, plaster ceiling 10k and etc. Adding a solar system is part of renovation, RM 10k for something that can save you more than RM 1,000 per year and give u comfort would definitely worth more than extending your kitchen or other renovation plan. Total renovation cost 100k-200k, what is RM 10k? 10% of ur total renovation cost only, is that expensive considering it could save u minimum RM 1k per year?

Cost Comparison
Assume we have 6 toilets and 5 person in our family....

Click on the link below to view the estimated cost comparison.
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=ST&f...0#entry30066979

This post has been edited by zheilwane: Nov 8 2010, 12:20 AM

I support him 100% ghi ghi ghiii.....

He supply to my house from water tank to pressure pump to solar water heater to water tap, sink etc etc....

highly recommended!

Thanks, hope solar users can write about their experience with solar water heater. Hope they can help new house owners in making the right decision.

It is difficult to explain .... but when u starts using it u will love it!

how many bathroom u have?

i'm considering water heater storage + pump...

i think he has 3-4 bathrooms, all beautifully renovated. ahha

that is lots of money lor....

TS, what is the extimated cost for a 4 bathroom with water storage heater, everything in, installation etc..

if rainy season like now. sometimes there's no sunlight for the whole day.
how am i going to get hot water?

There is a backup heater, if ur water is not hot enough, just turn it on. YOu will b heating up warm water, therefore wil not take a long time to heat up the water. Alternatively, get one 80 gal solar heater, should b sufficient to last you for 2 days even there is no sun for a family of 4-5 persons. Some even get two units of solar heaters.

i have only 2 bathroom how leh...still cheaper than instant water heater with pump??

especially popular for places like Cameron Highlands and Genting.

If the house only have 2 person staying, is it still worth to get a solar heater?

still undecided... solar...instant heater. sigh....

very simple, r u happy with ur current house's instant heater? or u wan a hotel style shower? If u wan comfort, get solar, don think about the cost ahahha

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This post has been edited by zheilwane: Jan 31 2011, 12:07 AM

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