Product Notes

  • Important notes about performance

    The indicative energy performance figures are the number of kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy use that a particular solar water heating system can avoid per year, in certain reference conditions. In other words, how much energy would otherwise have to be purchased to heat the household's water. Zone 2 refers to the bottom of the South Island and the West Coast, and Zone 1 refers to all of the North Island and the rest of the South Island. The indicative energy performance for each system shown in this table has been independently assessed using methodology set out in the Standard AS/NZS 4234, using a combination of component tests and mathematical modelling. The systems have been modelled to particular reference conditions. The reference conditions do not necessarily reflect the conditions when installed on your house, so the performance you experience will vary considerably. For example, one of the conditions systems are modelled against is the amount of hot water used. If you use more or less hot water than the averages in the model, the performance of the solar water heating system may vary considerably. In practice there are many variables that will affect performance and there is no guarantee that your system will achieve this level of performance. Always talk to your supplier/ installer about which system is best for your circumstances.

  • Important notes about warranty

    This warranty information is provided to EECA by the supplier.

  • Important notes about financial assistance for retrofits

    For a solar hot water system retrofit to qualify for financial assistance, the existing water tank must have been in the house and operational for at least three months before the other packaged system components are installed and commissioned.

    If the existing water tank is in a new house in the process of being built, a separate building consent must be obtained for the installation of a solar hot water system to qualify for financial assistance. In all other cases, installation of a solar hot water system will be a complete packaged system.

    As long as the existing water tank has similar characteristics to the tank for which modeling was done, then the customer can claim financial assistance as though the system is that for which modeling has been done.

    The similar characteristics are:

    1. The tank is the same grade – A Grade or B Grade (note than a B Grade tank can be a equivalent to A Grade if a cylinder wrap is added); and
    2. The tank is a similar size – within 20 litres bigger or smaller; and
    3. The tank has the same inlet/ outlet positioning (same third of the tank: lower, middle, upper); and
    4. The supplementary heating tank location has the same positioning, and
    5. The supplementary heating controller settings are the same.

  • Important notes about supplier

    We recommend you also talk to more than one supplier and/or installer about your requirements. To find out more about which system is best for you, visit this page.

  • Important notes about description

    This provides useful information about the system type, and the components that make up the system. Please note that in addition to the system components described here, insulation of all piping, a tempering valve, pressure/temperature relief valves, non return valve, necessary electrical wiring and plumbing, is also included.