[piningforthefjords]

Hi,

We have just bought a section in Red Beach (north of Auckland) and are in the process of looking at all the options regarding which builders to use.

So, during our deliberations so far we have come to realise that the water heating systems that come as part of the build cost are all woefully inadequate for our needs (which aren't excessive by the way!). Basically we want to have a system that can provide enough piping hot water for a house that has 2 baths and 2 showers, whilst not costing the earth. The electric systems that we have seen are fine if you shower once a day and never have a bath, but from what we have seen, there are only 2 viable options:

Heatpump based water heating system

or

Gas based condenser heater.

The only problem with the latter is that we dont have access to mains gas and what we dont know yet is whether we could feasibly use bottled gas to power the gas system?

Has anyone had experience of either of these systems for heating their water?

Well sorry to ramble, but advice or help is always in abundance on this forum!

Cheers.

Tim

[IanW99]

Not sure if this is a 'gas based condenser heater' but this is the type of water heater that we use.

rinnai water heating (http://www.rinnai.co.nz/water_heating/water_heating_default.aspx)

They tend to call them infinity water heaters as they can continue producing hot water for as long as you want.

This company certainly sell their products that support bottled gas if needed.

As long as you get one that can support the demand and flow rate that you want then they are great.

The big problem that we find with ours is that the siting of the boiler is important, for example our on-suite shower gets hot water in a few seconds and is great, but the kitchen sink seems to take minutes before the hot water gets through.

Ian

[Lupin]

How about solar? Efficient, pays for itself in only a couple of years and environmentally friendly to boot :)

http://www.solarsmarter.org.nz/consumers/choosing-a-system/key-factors

[zardell]

The big problem that we find with ours is that the siting of the boiler is important, for example our on-suite shower gets hot water in a few seconds and is great, but the kitchen sink seems to take minutes before the hot water gets through.Ian



Yes, we have this system too and I LOVE IT, however I do agree with Ian about the siting of the boiler.

Having said that, once you are aware of how the unit performs I don't think that it's too much of an issue.

Ours is run on mains gas, but my friends system is run off bottle gas. They are a family of 3 (one adult son) and apparently a bottle of gas (don't know the size) that costs them around $80 lasts for about 3 months, or so they tell me. Gas water only - everything else electric.

Our winter gas bill was around $80 a month and that's for a 2 people, hot water, fabulously hot gas fire in the lounge (which in winter I refused to be mean with)and a gas hob.

Julie

xx

[willsken]

We are about to get one fitted. We will use bottled gas as no mains where we are. Shop around as the price variations seem ludicrous! ;)

[marcia]

We use the bottled gas for our heating (two gas heaters), hob, which I use every tea time to cook on, and hot water. You usually have to pay an annual fee, i think it was around $120, then the bottles are around $80 + GST. Our first bottle lasted about 8 weeks, but that was towards the end of summer, during the winter when it was cold and we were having the heating on a lot more, we were using a bottle every four weeks.

The company we use are called ongas.

[zardell]

Like we said the other day Nicola, it makes me wonder why they don't utilise this type of system so that European style central heating could be fitted into NZ homes.

Maybe they do ?

Julie

xx

[zardell]

We use the bottled gas for our heating (two gas heaters), hob, which I use every tea time to cook on, and hot water. You usually have to pay an annual fee, i think it was around $120, then the bottles are around $80 + GST. Our first bottle lasted about 8 weeks, but that was towards the end of summer, during the winter when it was cold and we were having the heating on a lot more, we were using a bottle every four weeks.

The company we use are called ongas.


Even during the winter months, for the 5 of you Marcia, I think that's very reasonable don't you ? Especially when you compare the size of your house (did you say it was 300 sq mts ish?) to the size of ours (about 180 sq mts) and the fact that there are only 2 of us.

Mind you (and I know you are the same!) I refuse to be cold and I put the gas fire on probably more often than was needed ...:o

Julie

xx

[piningforthefjords]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the advice. The gas combi boiler seems to be the way to go. What is the water flow like in your experience, as I remember combi boliers seemed to only trickle hot water out really slowly. We will have mains water on our section, so this should help, but I need a decent flow rate for hot water (and decent temperature). Would a particular model do the trick?

Thanks,

Tim

[willsken]

Well, I had the most impressive shower since I've been in NZ last weekend.... and that was on of those boilers!!! :D

There is a UK plumber living in our town and he was telling us that he installed a complete central heating system (as in UK) and it cost him about $15k just for the stuff as he fitted it himself. Mind you he had a huge amount of radiators, 20 I seem to recall. :roll

[Timbo]

We also have a Rinai instant hot water system, and it works great for us. We are only a 2 person household, but quite often have guests.Water pressure is superb. we have been in the house since july 06 and are just awaiting delivery of our 3rd replacement 45kg bottle. These cost $11 per month to rent, plus aprox $90 per refill/replacement.

[zardell]

Well, I had the most impressive shower since I've been in NZ last weekend.... and that was on of those boilers!!! :D




Glad you enjoyed it........:D

Julie

xx

[zardell]

What is the water flow like in your experience, as I remember combi boliers seemed to only trickle hot water out really slowly. Would a particular model do the trick?Tim



Have no idea if a particular model would have any effect on the water pressure or not, but our pressure is so strong that it nearly knocks you off your feet and out of the shower cubicle....:yes

Julie

xx

[IanW99]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the advice. The gas combi boiler seems to be the way to go. What is the water flow like in your experience, as I remember combi boliers seemed to only trickle hot water out really slowly. We will have mains water on our section, so this should help, but I need a decent flow rate for hot water (and decent temperature). Would a particular model do the trick?

Thanks,

Tim

For us the temperature and water flow are more than enough for a shower etc, most of these infinity heaters are meant to be able to cope with two showers at the same time so you shouldn't have a problem.

Have a look at the website I posted they have lots of info on there including solar backup systems if you fancy them? They also do heavy demand models if you have big needs.

You want to go for a model that can provide at least 24 litres per minute as a minimum.

And just a reminder, if you go for this type of heating then make sure that it is sited appropriately for all the locations where you want hot water fast. We have had these systems in two houses so far and the first house was fine everywhere, but for our current house it really does take too long before hot water arrives in the Kitchen.

Ian

[marcia]

We have no water problems with hot water pressure - (but we have our own tanks and pump does that make a difference?) I've been in the shower with the washer going (I don't do cold water washes like most Kiwis either!) and it had no effect on the temerature in the shower!

Julie - our 'little cottage' is 375 metres (inc garages), we did have an electric heater on a timer in our bedroom because its the other end of the house from the gas heaters - (I felt like Scott of the Antartic every night going to bed, it was a case of putting clothes on not taking them off:D ) till we put in the electric heater, just had it on for 45 mins at night same in the morning to take the icicles out of the air!!!!!

But no you are right i think our fuel bills are pretty reasonable really for the size of the house of the number of bodies in it!

[piningforthefjords]

Any ideas how much a typical infinity unit would costs (including installation)?

Ta.

[Brijan]

hard to say what a typical infinity unit is as they are sized from 16litres/min to 32 litres/min, however in wellington you can buy a 24 litre unit for around $1100.
The flow rates are arrived at using a temperature rise of 25 degrees, i would advise having at least 1 controller with the installation, this allows to you to choose your water temp between 37-55 degrees, without a controller you get 55 degrees and as such loose some flow as the unit works harder to heat the water and uses more gas, you may find out more by calling rinnai on their 0800 number as getting good advice from retailers/ plumbers can be a problem sometimes.
I love my infinity as i don't get cold showers due to a cylinder running out anymore:raebanana

good luck
Brian