Hot water
Simply by choosing new technologies, properly maintaining hot water systems, fixing leaks and changing some old habits, you may be able to reduce the amount of electricity your business uses for its hot water.
Operating your hot water system efficiently
- Turn off your hot water system if it won’t be needed for long periods, such as over the holidays
- Ensure your thermostat is set to an appropriate level for its purpose, as setting it any higher will increase your electricity bills unnecessarily. A good rule of thumb is to set the temperature to at least 60°C to kill bacteria
- If possible, connect your hot water system to an economy tariff to minimise the cost of running the hot water system.
Energy efficient hot water systems
- Reduce heat loss by insulating hot water pipes and tanks, as about 30% of electricity used to heat water in hot water systems is wasted due to heat loss
- Locate your hot water systems close to where the hot water will be mostly used, to keep pipework as short as possible and help minimise heat loss
- Choose a hot water system that suits your budget, location and usage needs. Hot water systems that are too large for your needs will heat water that you won’t use, costing you more money to run
- Reduce your water use by installing low flow nozzles and electronic sensors on taps
- If possible, choose an energy efficient solar hot water system with a manual booster switch or heat pump system.
Maintain your equipment
- Deal promptly with any cracks or faulty parts to prevent water leakages and reduce electricity use
- Ensure water insulating jackets on hot water systems are kept full, regularly check for leaks and operate filler switches.