Sustainable Technology

True value sustainable energy solutions can come at a premium. While the allure of low-cost solar systems can be tempting, investing in a quality solar system, typically ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 for a family-sized system, proves to be a more prudent choice.

Beware of extended warranties offered by some solar products, claiming to last for 15 or even 25 years. It’s unrealistic to expect a manufacturer to provide such long-term coverage at such low prices while maintaining a warranty support team for decades.

Often, these low-cost solar heat pump systems fail within a few years, leaving the buyer with an “Orphan System” due to poor product quality and installation practices. As the saying goes, “Buy cheap, buy twice.” solar home heating air conditioning and hot water is affordable with rebates.

The Ecogenica heat pump shown in this photo was tested over a two year period at a 4 person home in Sydney. The monitoring on the water heater showed power consumption rarely exceeded 3 kWh a day. 

Electric and gas hot water constitutes a substantial portion of the household energy bill, nearly 40%. 

To curb this expense, the initial step involves reevaluating hot water production methods. Picture the advantages of harnessing the sun’s abundant and free energy, converting it into electricity through solar panels, and efficiently powering a heat pump for hot water production.

Offering the industry’s most advanced and efficient hot water systems for enduring savings and quality outcomes

Sustainable energy solutions, Solar storage batteries offer a solution to harness and preserve surplus energy generated by your solar power system, as opposed to exporting it to the grid at a lower value.

When you integrate a solar power system, the solar heat pump energy distribution within your household is overseen by your solar inverter. The primary objective of the inverter is to minimise your reliance on the grid, consequently reducing costs meaning solar home heating, cooling and hot water.

In NSW, insulation helps regulate indoor temperatures and reduces energy consumption. The National Construction Code (NCC) mandates minimum insulation requirements for new homes, with R-values (a measure of thermal resistance) increasing with building location and climate. For example, Sydney and other cooler areas may benefit from R4.0 or higher ceiling insulation. Bulk insulation, like batts or blankets, is suitable for colder climates, while reflective insulation, like foil-backed materials, is better for warmer areas.

Key aspects of insulation :

• R-values: Higher R-values indicate better insulation performance. 
• National Construction Code (NCC): Sets minimum insulation requirements for new builds. 
• Climate considerations: Choose insulation types and R-values appropriate for the local climate. 
• Bulk insulation: Suitable for colder climates, trapping air in layers. 
• Reflective insulation: Ideal for warmer climates, reflecting heat away from the house. 
• Spray foam: Popular for filling cracks and gaps, but consider potential health risks associated with certain types. 
• Building fabric thermal insulation: Must comply with the national BCA provisions. 
• Ceiling insulation and downlights: Ensure proper clearances to avoid fire hazards. 
• Advice for insulation and draught proofingInsulation depends on the climate Bulk insulation is suited to colder climates –
• Thermal insulation in a building must comply with the national BCA provisions of 3.12. 1.1. ... 3.12. 1.4(d) fNational Construction Code

Our consultations will determine if you can access discounts that lower the cost of installing the new energy-efficient air conditioner, when we upgrade the old one with a more efficient model.  

Upgrading to a more energy-efficient air conditioner can help you:  

• save money on your power bills in the long-term by using less energy to heat and cool your home or business
• reduce maintenance costs with newer systems that are more efficient and reliable  
• reduce your emissions and be an active part of helping NSW reach net zero by 2050. 

The air conditioning rebate is provided as an upfront discount in the quote provided to you for the installation of a new high efficiency air conditioner. During the initial consultation we will confirm If you’re eligible, and advise on the discounts which can range between:

• $340 and $560 if you install a new 6kWh air conditioner system
• $440 and $730 if you replace an old air conditioner with a 6kw split system.

Hydronic heating: To understand if your hydronic project is suitable for a heat pump, we have found the first thing a client needs to understand is the difference between a hydronic heat pump and a domestic hot water heat pump. Domestic hot water heat pump range from 2.5 to 3.8 kW in size.

 To ensure fast recovery rates (time to heat the water) you should always select the most powerful and efficient heat pump water heater. Many heat pump water heaters use small 2 kW to 2.5 kW rated compressors which may require boosting in Winter. So you need to consider the cold weather performance. 

Cold weather performance is especially important if your considering a combined hot water, heating and cooling system. We find that the average Australian home requires around 15 kW to 20kWs. In Europe they normally only require around 6kW's as the homes are much better insulated and tend to be smaller with less open planned rooms.

Another important aspect of a hydronic heat pump is that it is built and designed to operate in winter conditions at negative temperatures. Some heat pumps won’t generate hot water when the temperature gets below -5C.