If you already have a gas boosted solar hot water system, you may be wondering how it works and whether it is still the right setup for your home.
Gas boosting is still available, and Bar Plumbing & Solar can service these systems. However, for most Sunshine Coast households choosing a new system today, it is not usually our first recommendation.
Here is how gas boosted solar works, where it can still make sense and what to consider before replacing an existing system like-for-like.
A gas boosted solar hot water system combines solar water heating with a gas backup. The solar collectors use heat from the sun to warm water stored in the tank. If the water is not hot enough, the gas booster brings it up to temperature.
The gas component is the backup, rather than the main source of heat.
Older homes may already have this setup, and gas boosted solar hot water systems are still available. That does not mean gas boosting is automatically the best replacement for every property.
The solar hot water system does the main work. During cloudy weather, high hot water demand or lower solar gain, the booster provides additional heat.
With gas boosting, this is commonly done using a gas unit that heats the water when additional temperature is required.
Gas and electric boosters perform the same basic job: keeping hot water available when solar energy is not enough.
An electric boosted solar hot water system uses electricity for backup heating, while a gas boosted system uses gas. Where gas boosting relies on bottled LPG, ongoing fuel supply and cost are also worth considering.
For this reason, Bar Plumbing generally assesses the whole property rather than automatically replacing an old gas boosted system with another one. You can also compare Bar Plumbing’s gas hot water systems and electric hot water systems.
Gas boosted solar is a more specialised option today, but there are circumstances where it can still be practical:
For a typical Sunshine Coast household installing a new system, Bar Plumbing would usually compare electric boosted solar hot water and heat pump options before recommending gas boosting.
Not necessarily. If you already have a gas boosted solar hot water system that is operating well, Bar Plumbing & Solar can service, repair and maintain it.
When the booster, tank or collectors begin to fail, that is a good opportunity to reassess the setup rather than automatically replacing like-for-like.
Depending on the property, an electric boosted solar hot water system or heat pump may provide a more practical long-term solution.
A heat pump uses electricity to transfer heat from the surrounding air into the water and can use much less electricity than conventional electric water heating.
If the home already has rooftop solar PV, timing a heat pump to operate during solar production hours can also make good use of existing generation.
Yes. Rheem continues to offer solar hot water systems with gas boosting, and Bar Plumbing & Solar can service Rheem gas boosted solar hot water systems.
The question is not whether gas boosting works. It does. The question is whether it makes sense for your particular property compared with the alternatives now available.
Gas boosted solar hot water is still a workable system, but for most Sunshine Coast homeowners choosing a new hot water system today, it would not usually be Bar Plumbing’s first recommendation.
Bar Plumbing & Solar can service existing gas boosted systems and provide practical advice on whether to repair, replace or move to another solar hot water or heat pump solution.
Your water isn’t going to warm itself!
For practical advice on your existing hot water system, contact Bar Plumbing & Solar today.
What is a gas boosted solar hot water system?
It is a solar hot water system that uses gas as a backup heat source when the solar collectors have not heated the water sufficiently.
Does solar hot water need a booster?
Most solar hot water systems include a backup booster for periods of low sunlight or higher hot water demand. The booster may use electricity or gas.
Is gas boosting better than electric boosting?
Not necessarily. The right option depends on the property, existing services, solar setup, hot water demand and ongoing energy costs.
Can Bar Plumbing service gas boosted solar hot water?
Yes. Bar Plumbing & Solar can service and repair existing gas boosted solar hot water systems and advise whether repair or replacement is the better option.
Contact us today for a free quote. During the consultation, our expert team will walk you through the different types of solar hot water systems available, explain how they work, and help you choose the best one for your needs.