Hot water is one of those things Melbourne households can’t live without. It’s also easy to take for granted until that shower turns cold or the energy bill makes your eyes wide. The thing is, heating water uses up a big chunk of household electricity.
Thankfully, you can cut on energy costs without sacrificing comfort, and all it takes is a simple change. That change goes by the name off-peak hot water.
We’ll break down how off-peak hot water works and how it saves money, and offer practical ways you can benefit from it. In case you need local plumbing experts to help install or service your hot water system, we’ll point you in the right direction. But before anything else, what exactly is off-peak hot water?
Off-peak hot water systems heat your water during low-demand hours, usually overnight. Because demand is lower, electricity is cheaper. The system then stores that hot water in a tank to be used for the next day.
Most off-peak setups are under a controlled-load tariff, which is designed for high-use appliances like water heaters. This tariff offers a discounted rate during off-peak times.
Off-peak hot water is most effective with storage systems that can hold heated water for hours. Instantaneous systems, which only heat on demand, aren’t suited for this setup. Unsure if your system is wired correctly and ready for off-peak use? Check your eligibility with a licensed plumber.
The savings come down to timing. During peak hours, power can cost around 40 to 60 cents per kilowatt-hour. Meanwhile, off-peak rates often sit between 15 and 25 cents. Yes, those few cents can make a difference as costs can add up quickly, especially since water heating often takes a large share of your energy bill!
With that in mind, you’ll understand that you’ll actually save a lot with off-peak hot water, cutting down costs by nearly a half. When you look at it on an annual basis, that’s huge money you can spend on other necessities.
Apart from saving on costs, you’re also helping stabilise Australia’s energy grid. Appliances running all at once can overwhelm the grid, especially during peak hours. With off-peak hot water, you’re also helping the environment.
To make the most from off-peak hot water, there are a few things to consider first. Check tariffs, ensure proper setup, and use smart tools for optimal results. Local plumbers can help with system setup or upgrades. For now, here’s a practical guide on how to make off-peak hot water work for your home:
Once you move to off-peak rates, you’ll notice that your hot water costs are slashed in half. It might not seem huge at first, but those savings stack up over time.That amount could go into your family’s travel fund, more groceries on the cart, or in your savings account.
Remember, exact savings not only depend on household size, water usage, and provider tariffs. Water usage of a family of four is different from that of a one-person household. Nonetheless, off-peak hot water is worth it if you’re looking for long-term savings.
Check your latest electricity bill to confirm if off-peak or control-load tariffs are applicable for your household. Better yet, contact your electricity provider. They can confirm if your home qualifies for off-peak pricing or if a better plan is available. If your system isn’t designed for those cheaper rates, a licensed plumber can check your configurations. .
A lot of homeowners don’t realise that even if they’ve got a tank system, they might not be connected to the right meter. To qualify for off-peak rates, your water heater needs its own circuit that only runs during cheaper hours.
If that’s not the case, your system could be heating water at full price without you knowing it. A licensed plumber or electrician can confirm that your setup is connected properly and saving you what it should.
Timers and smart controllers help you maximise off-peak power. These devices schedule your system to heat water only when electricity is cheapest. If you have a modern system, you most probably have smart features built in. But if you have an older system, don’t worry! They can be fitted with external timers.
In some areas, energy providers offer solar sponge tariffs, which use excess solar power in the middle of the day when the grid has a surplus. Rates for these plans are often very low, so it’s a good alternative to nighttime off-peak systems. Take note that your hot water system might need a timer or reconfiguration to match the new schedule.
Off-peak hot water is about working smarter, offering major cost savings and supporting eco-friendly energy use. It’s the same water and the same system, just heated at the right time for less. While homeowners can check a few things themselves, getting the setup and system efficiency right is best handled by a professional.
Expert plumbers, like Zab’s Plumbing, can help you switch to off-peak systems, sort out your meters, and lower energy costs for good. Contact Zab’s Plumbing today to get your hot water system in Melbourne running more efficiently and start saving on your bills.
