If you’ve been looking for a new hot water system for your home, there’s a good chance you think there might be a million options.

However, while it’s true that there are many sizes, features and other things to choose from, there are only four basic types of hot water systems that are commonly used in Australia. Here they are:

Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heaters are an eco-friendly system that use the heat of the sun to heat your water in special panels on your roof. The hot water they produce is hot enough for bathing and showering, but usually not as hot as some other types of hot water systems.

Solar water systems usually also have a large, well-insulated storage tank that will hold your hot water for days when there isn’t as much sun.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps consist of a compressor and a tank, which can be installed as a single unit, or as two parts. The compressor “captures” heat from the air, and then uses that heat to heat the water in your tank.

Often, people who have photovoltaic solar power on their homes use heat pumps, because then they don’t have to pay for the power to run the compressor. This system can be larger and on the noisy side though, so you will need space to have it installed where it won’t bother you in your home!

Electric Water Heaters

Electric water heaters are a type of water heater that most of us have grown up around. They consist of a large tank or cylinder for storing water, and an element to heat it. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they can be installed in various places – often in the roof or in an unused corner of a garage or similar.

Electric water heaters run very quietly, and basically work like a very large kettle – boiling water until it reaches a specific temperature, then shutting off until the heat drops, and then starting up again.

Gas Water Heaters

Gas water heaters are another common option for heating water for homes. They can be tankless, or “instant heating” which means they heat water as it is needed, or they can have a large tank that is heated by natural gas.

If your home doesn’t have a gas line, these kinds of heaters can use gas from cannisters.

Gas water heaters are usually very safe to use if they are properly installed and maintained.

Which One Should You Choose?

Even once you know what the basic options for hot water systems are, there can still be a lot of questions you need answered.

A good plumber can help you decide which types of hot water systems are best for you. So if you’re still stuck, and not sure which one you should choose, reach out to a professional plumber and get their advice. A hot water system is a big investment, so you want to get the choice right the first time!