Over the weekend went to Homedec look see look see, for solar heaters, if I was buying, first choice definitely the Summer one, 270L for RM3650 with installation, no pump. Very affordable price. Plus their salesperson totally no hard sell. I liked that.

Second choice the Solarwave heat pipe type, followed by the extraction tube type. But the heat pipe price is gonna be scary, and the extraction tube price is around the Summer one... so I will take Summer.

Aquasolar, I looked at the unit at Homedec, wouldn't consider it at all, if it was cheaper than the Summer by a lot, maybe. But given the Summer's entry level model is well built and not super expensive, definitely can go for it.

Plus Summer is the least likely to close down among the 3. No point if they give you 300 years warranty if they gonna close down after 3 years. Whatever promises the salesman make are just that, promises. Don't be penny wise pound foolish.

Disclaimer: I am not a salesman, I do not sell solar water heaters (I am selling my used iPhone 6S Plus). I just walked at Homedec and was looking at possible water heating solutions for my own home. The above is just MY OPINION based on MY OBSERVATION.

Btw, for you guys using solar water heater (excluding micro solar), how often have you had to turn on the backup power? I am curious especially for the shower in the morning after a heavy rain the night before..

This post has been edited by Jason: May 2 2017, 03:58 PM

dayalan86 thank you for the useful insight. I am currently weighing between solar and the SEERS hybrid hot water system.

Factoring between the initial cost + running costs. Leaning towards the SEERS as the only part that requires replacement is the ceramic heating plate, with a lifespan of 30,000 hours, at RM300... that's provided the tank doesn't leak.

The 200L SEERS is @ RM7k~ (price found here on LYN seller)

Upfront it costs 40% more than a solar water heater (@RM5k).

Using my rough estimations (at best)
Assuming my electricity usage is < 600kWh a month, my first 300kWh costs ~RM0.27, next 300kWh ~RM0.52. So average out kWh is around RM0.395.

Typical heating element uses 3kWh to heat a 60L/hour, for a 60 gallon solar tank, ~227 litres, for simple calculation let's take 3 hours 30 minutes. That's 3kWh x 3 1/2 hours = 10.5kWh RM4.15/day. Say its used 1/3 of the year, that's 120 days = ~RM498 per year.

The Seers 200L model uses a 0.48kWh power input, will take 3 hours 20 minutes to fill up a full tank of 200L. Using only 1.44kWh in total. That's RM0.57/day. Since its on 24/7, RM208

RM290/year difference. That would take 10.4 years to make up the difference in efficiency.

Looks like solar wins, if the panel/tube doesn't leak or break, as the cost for SEERS costs too much upfront.

Well, based on SEERS claims, 4.3 C.O.P is VERY high. So unless they are lying on paper, I can only scope based on what they publish. It works -macam- heat pump -tapi bukan-

I was quoting 200L for whole house. Peak usage probably in morning with 3~4 showers running almost concurrently. Of course morning shower won't be *that* long. Around 5 minutes and probably use hand shower instead of rain shower. Say 7 litres/minute, that's 35L water total, say a 60:40 mix ratio, 21L of hot water. x 4 bathrooms, we're looking at 84L of hot water. Hmm you're right, even a 100L will cut it for concurrent use for 4 baths.

My dishwasher probably run it on timer mode and let it wash middle of the night in the kitchen.

You use any rain shower? I intend to go crazy 12" for master bedroom. Other rooms just normal 6". Explains why I whack 200L in the beginning. But I guess rain shower probably not concurrent usage, since that's more for after work at night to relax.

Good point. But 2 units for separate bathrooms? Cause if one unit breakdown, means whichever room it links to has no hot water. Still beats 0 hot water I guess!

Your understanding is correct but your assumption on the efficiency is wrong.
Do some reading on heat pump hot water heaters. It is possible to give 1kW to produce 2kW of heat, because its not actually "producing" heat.

https://energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump-water-heaters
The website by US Department of Energy. So its not selling anything just providing info.

Peter von Rittinger invented the heat pump, sadly he did not win any Nobel prize.

From SEERS's claims, they are a variation/adaptation of the heat pump. Looking at wikipedia on heat pump my assumption is that its a thermoelectric element since SEERS says there's its non-mechanical.

Actually my mistake on pricing. 7K is from LYN seller for 200L unit. Latest price from SEERS direct is RM6710 for 200L unit, and a RM500 installation fee -- I feel this is daylight robber since the power point AND the pipes must be in place for their "installation". Literally its for them to plug it in to the SEERS unit only.

As for Microsolar, I PM-ed a user here, he had nothing nice to say about Microsolar's after sales support, and I don't want anything to do with them. Doesn't matter how good the product is if the support sucks.

As above. My bad on the price.

At RM6710... still a premium over a 80gal Solar Water Heater unit. Guess I KIV this until I have to make the decision. If the performance is as good as their claim I think its a winner.

yup. looked at aquasolar panel and was uh... right. not impressed. if there's a 10 years warranty and the company would still be around, then i guess you can factor that in. otherwise, you'd be left stranded and screwed looking stupid.


instant heater won't work for rain shower. so totally skip it. electric storage heaters very high consumption. as the usage will be continuous as long as the property stands... better invest in something more efficient. i've already have plans for a dishwasher.

Thanks for sharing the info. I am rather surprised the Summer 80L basic model start @ RM3650 @ HomeDec. I thought it would be more expensive.
Personally I've never heard of Solar Power before this forum. The common one I've seen from memory is SolarMate.

So I had to word it carefully, what are facts and what's my opinion.

Yes, by right a consumer should do their own research and due diligence. Since I am doing my own research, just sharing my observation. There's no one-size-fits all solution, that's why as consumers we have choice.

"Should not break down" being the operating keyword, yet sadly, sometimes shit happens, and for something as costly as this, its best to have warranty right? Considering Summer is offering a 10 year warranty at a starting price of RM36xx. I think its the best reliable choice at the moment.

Yup, having manufacturer support is important. Dealer is just responsible for sales, they do not have support team or repair team, and the responsibility goes back to the manufacturer. Which is why if SEERS bankrupt I'd be screwed too (if I use them), since their technology is proprietary, and they are the only ones doing it. From a reliability standpoint, I think gas water heaters are hard to beat.

RM800 is enough to buy a basic Panasonic water heater below RM300, installation of ~RM120

RM420... so there's RM380 extra to pay for electricity. 3.6kW @ full power
At average of RM0.50/kWh, assume you shower at 30 minutes with 2/3 power is 2.4kW.. RM1.2 per shower.. let you shower 2 times a day, RM2.4..that's 158 days of shower..

You add in the cost of the mixer, the cost of the gas heater itself... do your maths bro