[GreenEggJimmyJam...]

Our current hot water service has started leaking like a it has more holes in it than a colander. Given we were told in our prepurchase house inspection it was too small for a house this size and was rather old it would need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Well it has seen us through the last four years and two young babies so I definitely not complaining! But now we need to replace it.

What do you have? What size for your family? We are four people three bedroom house, no plans to extend either house or family

Current unitis gas. Need some help to decide on a replacement. Thinking of one of the solar systems that I have seen at bunnings but have no idea!

Thanks for any ideas.

[GreenEggJimmyJam...]

Anyone??

[babygirl03]

Not familiar with the solar system at all but how about instantaneous gas. We've been using one for 17yrs now and it's still going strong. The gas unit itself would be over 20yo as it came with the house.

With instant gas, you'll never run out of hot water. However, depending on the run of the pipes from the unit, there may be a lag waiting for the heated water to come through, especially in winter.

[naturalgoodness]

However, depending on the run of the pipes from the unit, there may be a lag waiting for the heated water to come through, especially in winter.

We have solar with instant gas backup (and are on bottled gas). The lag time is HORRIBLE and it happens mid-shower, usually when its one of the kids. So we start with a great temperature, it suddenly goes cold and then we wait an age for the heat to come back. I hate to think of the volume of water we are wasting every time this happens.

Previously we have had just instant gas, and while it took a little while to get through, once it was there it was fantastic and we found it cheaper too.

[babygirl03]

The lag time is HORRIBLE and it happens mid-shower, usually when its one of the kids. So we start with a great temperature, it suddenly goes cold and then we wait an age for the heat to come back.

The lag for us would be at the start turning the water on. In winter, that water would have been cold water sitting in the pipe so it needs to come through first as is before the heated water can follow through. If your pipes are insulated or are poly pipes and the run is not from one end of the house to the other, the lag shouldn't be too bad, otherwise there's obviously more cold water that needs to run out first and then the hot water will be used to heat up the cold pipes, so takes longer.

I've been told by our hot water service guy before that if we get temperature fluctuation where water goes hot and cold during shower, it's generally an indication that a service is needed. We tend to have ours done every 2.5 - 3yrs.

Edited: Sorry, just noted that the temperature fluctuation you have is with your gas boosted solar system, not your instantaneous unit. I'm not familiar with solar.

[CupcakeMumma]

We have the largest size solar, with only the panels on the roof and the storage in our laundry. We were a house of 7 , now 5, with electric booster. We have had to have the pump replaced $300 but other than that nada. It's a solar hart. We mostly only turn the booster on in the depths of winter or endless rainy days. We are in Brisbane and we are north facing.

[shopalot33]

We've got a gas boosted solar system (Solarhart). There are four of us in a four bedroom house. It was expensive to buy - about $6K, but our electricity bills have lowered considerably since installing it - we had an old electric water heater previously.

We don't have of the issues of the PP with lag time or anything. It's instant and has been brilliant.

DH was a bit worried about spending that kind of money initially (I really pushed for it), but now that he's seen the difference in our electricity bill, he's very pleased.

I've also got friends who have continuous gas and they love it. It's a lot cheaper to buy and install than solar, I think.