Solar Hot Water

Nature Coast Plumbing are accredited installers and service agents for Rinnai Hot Water Products in the Eurobodalla.
Using the sun’s energy to heat water will save you energy, lower your hot water bills, and reduce greenhouse emissions.

Nature Coast Plumbing provide a complete solar hot water system service – we install, replace and reposition solar hot water heaters in both new and existing homes throughout the Eurobodalla Shire

We have installed hundreds of solar hot water systems and have over 10 years practical experience servicing and repairing existing solar hot water heaters. Our fully trained plumbers and electricians can repair or replace your solar hot water system quickly and professionally.

How does it work?

An evacuated tube solar hot water system operates using a series of cylindrical tubes, which are evacuated of air to create a vacuum. This vacuum acts as an insulator, reducing heat loss from the tube. Here’s how the system works:

Solar Absorption: Each tube contains an absorber layer that captures solar energy.

Heat Transfer: The absorber heats up, transferring energy to a heat pipe inside the tube.

Thermal Exchange: The heat pipe, typically containing a coolant that vaporizes upon heating, carries the heat upwards to the top.

Water Heating: The heat is then transferred to water in a storage tank through a heat exchanger at the top of the tubes.

Circulation: As the water in the tank is heated, it becomes lighter and naturally rises through the system in a thermosiphon flow or is circulated by a pump.

The evacuated tubes are very efficient, as the vacuum allows them to retain heat even on cloudy days or during cold temperatures, making them effective for a wide range of climates.

Close-coupled solar hot water systems

This is the most common system on the market. It consists of roof-mounted solar collectors, combined with a horizontally-mounted storage tank located immediately above these collectors. In most solar systems a pump is not required. Heated water rises naturally through the solar collectors and enters the storage tank. When this happens, cooler water at the base of the storage tank is forced out and flows down to the bottom of the collectors. This cycle is continuously repeated while the sun is shining. Most commercially available solar hot water systems employ this cycle, commonly referred to as ‘thermosyphon flow’.

Split system solar hot water

This is the most common system on the market. It consists of roof-mounted solar collectors, combined with a horizontally-mounted storage tank located immediately above these collectors. In most solar systems a pump is not required. Heated water rises naturally through the solar collectors and enters the storage tank. When this happens, cooler water at the base of the storage tank is forced out and flows down to the bottom of the collectors. This cycle is continuously repeated while the sun is shining. Most commercially available solar hot water systems employ this cycle, commonly referred to as ‘thermosyphon flow’.

Rebates for solar hot water systems

For solar hot water systems in NSW, residents can access rebates through the following initiatives:

Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs): These are federal rebates applicable for various renewable energy installations, including solar hot water systems. The rebate amount is calculated based on the electricity displaced by your heat pump water heater over its lifetime​1​.

Incentive Amounts: The incentive varies depending on location, efficiency, system type, and the current STC market price, with incentives ranging from $300 to $1000​2​.

New South Wales Energy Savings Scheme (ESS): This state government initiative provides financial incentives for households and businesses to install, improve, or replace their hot water systems with energy-saving alternatives. It allows for the installation of energy-efficient hot water systems at a significantly reduced cost and promises considerable savings on electricity bills​3​​4​.

These rebates and incentives are designed to reduce the upfront costs and operational expenses of solar hot water systems, making them an affordable and sustainable option for residents in NSW.