@solarventi, Hi, sorry, I didnt work it correctly, It is an interesting concept, but I am not getting it>>> bit slow... How do you heat up in winter in Vic when we get very little sun and the weather has turned Artic this year, Main reason I am noticing the cold, especially when working outside. I do have low blood pressure so feel the cold, but the red clothing next to skin works a charm. I would like to understand... I have seen on uTube where they DIY passive heat I liked the pictures but no explanation and these were using exisiting windows .. I this with gap at bottom on outside so cold air comes in and gap at top on inside so warm air into house.... but got to technical for me. And I get confused, as hot air rises and I dont understand why fans are at the top in newer models not at bottom [of heaters] But I would mind understanding how it works.. Am going to check the website, TU very much. I have bats to put in kitchen reno but would like something to attach to the corrogated iron so there is no gap between iron and bats. Appreciate your help and will check again on your site to see if I missed anything :)

We are building as you know Luke and I would love solar but hubby feels at present the systems offered, sway too far towards the companies marketing the products and not enough towards the person forking out huge $$$$ to have the system installed. There is talk be it correct or not, that solar systems might only last 10 years before they need either maintenance, partial or complete replacement and that's simply not long enough to get back in the black with the initial financial outlay, as you may still be paying for the original system!! Also for us living in south west vic, our winters are so cold and sunless, that I hazzard a guess, like solar heating for a pool, the system will completely fail, in that it wouldn't produce any energy for possibly 4 months of the year. We have credible information about a wealthy local who decided to give going off the grid a red hot go and even installed a wind turbine, with the batteries and a solar system and my information is that this local is back on the grid, as the system failed because there wasn't sufficient wind to keep the turbines moving and the same for the solar with inadequate sunlight during winter. I think such a system (solar) should last a good 15 - 20 years and then allot more people in colder areas like us, would definitely consider the expense of going "green" because the months when the system would work would become worthwhile. Just slightly off topic, we were supposed to have a solar HWS with electric backup as part of our energy rating for the area and during the course of investigating the best unit, we found out that most common systems for a HWS that has solar panels on the roof, have a type of anti freeze running through the system to prevent the water from freezing in low temps. Literature that I read on the Rheem website advised people like us that gather our own water for all household needs, showering, laundry etc... AND most importantly drinking water, needed to isolate the section of roofing where the panel were, in case of a leak although remote because if it occured, all the drinking water that became contaminated, had to be discarded!! Imagine having to empty our tanks during summer with no more rain to refill them, we would then have to buy water to be able to stay in the home however, there is a system that we found that has evacuated tubes rather than panels and these tubes have no chemicals with the most popular brand being the Apricus. Anyway, just some info about solar hot water. Cheers, Barbara

We are about to have a major reno done involving getting rid of the internally stored electric hot water system. We are looking into getting LPG gas instantaneous as we are getting a gas cooking appliance as well. Also thinking of getting solar panela for general power supply. Interested to hear from those who have made the switch to gas and/or solar for their hot water and how you have benefited from your decision. Pros, cons?

Hi Tanya. I only just came across your post. Another option is to have an electric hot water heat exchange unit (installed outside) and induction cooktop. Do you currently have solar panels on your roof? If you did, then you could utilise the solar power generated to heat your water, during daylight hours of course, for showers, dishwasher and washing machine. I'm uncertain how much electricity it takes to run induction cooktop though. Probably for short periods it wouldn't be too bad. A great feature about induction is that it boils water and heats pans very quickly. If you don't already have solar panels and you aren't considering it, then possibly the solar hot water unit suits your needs better. I would caution you to find out in advance how much it will cost to hire a crane and crane operator and whether it's by the hour, half day or full day. Usually they also charge a transport fee. I think if you were to repost your query in Design Dilemna you would get a whole lot more people offering advice. I hope this helps.