Solar hot water systems in public housing

Using solar hot water efficiently

Your solar hot water system is the most efficient between 10am and 3pm on sunny days. If you use most of your hot water in the afternoons or evenings, there may not be enough sun to heat the water.

Tips for using solar hot water

• Do not turn the solar hot water system off at the power point – a small amount of power is needed to monitor and control the temperature of the solar panels so they do not get too hot or too cold.
• If the solar hot water system has not been used for two weeks or more - it is recommended by the manufacturer to turn on a sink, basin or bath tap for a couple of minutes to allow any hydrogen gas that may have built up in the water heater to escape safely via the tap.
• Do not personally inspect or service the solar hot water system.
• New hot water systems are required by law to be set at 50°C, so your water may not feel as hot as your previous hot water system. This is to reduce the risk of a hot water burn.

Check your electricity tariff

If you’re running out of hot water, you may need to connect to a different electricity tariff to suit your household needs.

Your electricity tariff is the price you are charged for electricity. Because you pay your own electricity bill, it’s your responsibility to check that you are on the right electricity tariff for your household. Check your bill to find out which tariff you are on or contact your electricity supplier for information about tariffs.

Two common types of electricity tariffs are:

• Off Peak 1: Electricity will only be used to heat your water between 10pm and 7am. This is the cheapest rate and is most suitable for small households of 1 or 2 people. You may run out of hot water on cloudy days or if you use more hot water in the afternoons and evenings.
• Off Peak 2: Electricity can be used to heat water for up to 16 hours a day. This rate is cheaper than the continuous tariff but more expensive than Off Peak 1. It is more convenient for larger families who are likely to use hot water in the afternoon and evenings. It is handy for cloudy days and during winter months.

We’re here to help

If you have problems with your solar hot water system, contact the Maintenance Hub on 1800 422 322 to arrange maintenance. If you live in community housing, you’ll need to contact your housing provider directly for any maintenance issues.