How to save money ?
The answers you want to know.

What Does a solar hot water system consist of ?
- Solar panels for collection positioned on your roof or another elevated area
- A storage tank for water
- A potential gas or electric ‘booster’ for days when energy levels are low
How Does a solar hot water system work?
When the sun shines, it creates solar radiation which can be ‘collected’ as energy. Solar panels are specifically designed to catch this solar energy. As the panels collect this energy from the sun’s solar radiation, the panel then converts it into the energy that heats your hot water.
Heat rises and so does hot water, and a small pump and thermostat tell the water when it is time to move through the evacuated tubes and back to the cylinder.

Your Hot water system may already be compatible with solar
You may find that some electric or gas-powered hot water systems are equipped with a ‘solar ready’ feature panel, which makes them able to already use or switch to solar power in the future. Many old cylinders have the capability to convert to solar-generated hot water, so it is worth checking first, to make your upgrade cheaper.
Many of our hot water systems at the Hot Water Shop come available with the solar ready feature, do if you are on the fence about fully committing to solar-powered hot water, know that there are systems designed to help you make the switch gradually.
Does a hot solar system really save you money?
While the cost to buy and install a solar hot water system is more expensive then a regular gas or electric one, a solar system will save you money in the long run due to its abundant power source being a natural resource.
An estimated saving of $100 a month on your power bill is attributed to switching to a solar hot water system and therefore pays for itself in due course. It’s a rather drastic saving, which is why solar powered energy has grown in popularity in countries that do enjoy an abundance of sunshine, like New Zealand and Australia.
Happy planet and reduced bills!
So, what’s the takeaway? Switching your current system to a solar-powered hot water set up will save you money, but not immediately. If you are in a position to invest in a good quality solar hot water system, the benefits are yours to reap. Otherwise, opting for the slower transition of a regular electric cylinder with the ‘solar ready’ option can get you on the path to making the full switch later down the line.
The solar ready panel is small, but powerful, adding savings to your power bill with mixed electric and solar power working together. If you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly alternative to your current hot water system that will save you money in the long run, then a solar-powered hot water system is absolutely right for you!
To get a free quote, or to browse a selection of solar options - check out the Hot Water Shop, your Christchurch experts in solar power and heating solutions!
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