New roof being installed? Need your rooftop solar hot water system removed, reinstated and/or replaced?
Are you having a new roof installed? Do you need your existing solar hot water system disconnected before your old roof is taken off? Will you need it reinstated once the new roof is complete? Contact us for advice and assistance.
We are often contacted by homeowners when they’re researching roof replacement costs to get advice on how they deal with their existing rooftop solar hot water system.
We also work with a lot of Sydney roofing companies, assisting them in the process of safely disconnecting and removing rooftop solar hot water systems before they take off an old roof. After the new roof installation is completed, we then return to reinstall and reconnect the old solar hot water system.
Your rooftop solar hot water system should only be removed by an experienced hot water specialist.
It’s important that the removal of any existing solar system is done by experienced hot water specialists, like the team at Cheapa Hot Water. This is to ensure no damage is done to the solar panels, the hot water storage tank, pipework and other parts.
Rooftop solar hot water systems are VERY heavy and require specialist equipment to transport them on and off a roof. At Cheapa Hot Water, we have this equipment in our arsenal. This means we don’t incur expensive hire costs or have to wait for the equipment to become available through a hire company.
Several times a year we are contacted by homeowners all over Sydney whose rooftop solar hot water systems are damaged after they have been removed by their roofing company, an inexperienced plumber or, worse, themselves or a friend.
In some cases, we are able to fix the problems and get the solar system working again. In many cases, the damage is irreparable and the entire solar hot water system needs to be replaced – at considerable cost.
A little preparation can save you thousands!
If you need your solar hot water system safely disconnected and removed in preparation for a new roof, make sure you contact solar hot water specialists like the team at Cheapa Hot Water. It could save you thousands and will make the job of reinstalling the solar system much easier.
The photos above were taken of a rooftop Rheem solar hot water system installation we recently completed on a new roof at Balmain in Sydney’s Inner West. The customer took advantage of the opportunity to upgrade their very old rooftop solar hot water system with a new one that catered better to the hot water usage demands of their growing household. Additionally, the old solar system would have been somewhat of an eyesore on their brand new Colorbond roof.
New roof being installed?
Switch from gas or electric to solar hot water.
A new roof replacement is the perfect opportunity to switch from gas or electric to solar hot water.
In Australia, with our temperate climate and sunny weather, it makes sense to utilise what Mother Nature provides free of charge to heat your hot water. Using solar energy means you pay less than conventional electric or gas water heaters, whilst reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a win-win on all accounts!
Is your roof suitable for a solar hot water system?
When switching to solar hot water, the following are best suited:
1. ROOF SPACE : Most houses will use 2 solar collectors which are around 2m tall x 1 m wide each. That means you need at least 2m x 2m, plus some clearance space on your roof. For a roof-mounted tank, you’ll need even more roof space .
2. GROUND SPACE : You’ll also need some ground space for the ground-mounted hot water storage tank, if applicable. This isn’t necessary for roof-mounted tanks.
3. NORTH FACING ROOF AREA : It is best if the collectors can be mounted facing north in order to capture the most sunlight. If you’re not sure, use a compass or go to Google Earth to check if you’ve got a north-facing roof area.
4. CLIMATE : The solar collectors will need to be placed in an area of high sunlight and minimum shade. Shade from trees and surrounding buildings isn’t ideal. Climate can also be a factor when choosing a solar hot water heater. Extreme weather areas that get frost or very high heat will need a product designed to suit the climate. If solar doesn’t suit your home then a heat pump system is a great alternative. In the industry, we call heat pumps “solar without the panels”.
Switching to solar hot water and claiming STC rebates
The Federal Government introduced the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme to encourage individuals and small businesses to install renewable energy systems in their homes or business. Solar hot water heaters and air source heat pumps are appliances that are applicable to claim rebates under the scheme.
How do STCs work?
The Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme works through the creation of small-scale technology certificates (STCs). The amount of CO2 emissions saved or generated by an appliance are calculated into STCs. Each STC represents 1 megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity displaced over a 10 year period. The number of STC’s created varies with the size and model of solar water heater and the region (or zone) in which the unit is installed. The value of an STC is not fixed and varies depending on market factors.
STCs can reduced the price of your new solar hot water system
By installing a solar water heater or heat pump, you may be eligible for STCs. These STCs can be used to reduce the purchase price of your new solar hot water system, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.
Once you install a solar water heater, the STCs produced can be traded and sold on the open market. Most customers assign the right to create your STCs to their hot water heater installer (i.e. Cheapa Hot Water) who will then pay you the value of the STCs as an upfront discount on your solar hot water system. Typically, when we install a solar hot water system for a customer we calculate how may small-scale technology cerficiates (STCs) will be created over the life of the solar hot water system, we then pass on an up-front discount that is equivalent to the value of the STCs.
It’s important to note that the value of STCs is not fixed and can vary over time. When you contact us about switching from gas or electric to a more energy efficient solar hot water system, we can explain the process in more detail and any discount that may be applicable.
Cheapa Hot Water – Sydney Solar Hot Water Specialists
Hot water is our business and that’s why, when you deal with our highly-skilled, solar hot water specialists, you’re assured of service and expertise that is second to none.
- Hot water is our business and we are Sydney’s leading solar hot water specialists.
- Our fully qualified, licensed hot water heater repair specialists each have over 25+ years experience.
- We are accredited service agents for all solar hot water brands including Rheem, Apricus, Quantum, Edwards Solar, Solahart and more.
- We are a local, Australian-owned, family-run business offering reliable, old fashioned service.
- If your current solar hot water heater is beyond repair we offer free delivery of a new system and complimentary disposal (and recycling) of your old water heater.
- We are qualified to undertake all the plumbing and electrical work required to install a new hot water system. There is no need to waste money employing multiple trades.
- We have all the equipment needed to install your hot water system today. We don’t have to hire or wait for other trades to arrive with the required equipment.
