Solar Hot Water Heating Wellington– Efficient, Proven Renewable Hot Water
Solar Ready Hot Water Cylinders
Solar hot water heating is a reliable, proven, and highly efficient way to reduce your household or commercial hot water energy costs using free energy from the sun. At Southern Plumbing & Gasfitting Ltd, we design, install, repair, upgrade, and maintain complete solar hot water systems across Wellington and surrounding regions.
We specialise in evacuated tube solar collectors, known for their superior efficiency in New Zealand’s varied climate. Whether you are installing a new system, upgrading an older flat-plate system, or maintaining an existing solar array, our qualified technicians deliver safe, compliant, and long-term reliable solutions.
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Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors – Our Preferred Technology
Solar Hot Water Heating Wellington
We install high-efficiency evacuated tube solar collectors, which outperform traditional flat-plate collectors, particularly in cooler, windy, and low-sun conditions common in Wellington.
Typical residential installations range from:
- 20 evacuated tubes – Suitable for smaller households
- 30 evacuated tubes – Ideal for medium to large households
- Larger arrays are available for commercial applications
Advantages of Evacuated Tubes:
- Significantly higher heat capture in low sunlight
- Excellent winter performance
- Reduced heat loss through vacuum insulation
- Individual tube replacement (lower long-term maintenance cost)
- Higher operating temperatures for improved recovery rates
- You will need a north facing roof.
One of our partner websites Apricus Eco Hot Water
Solar-Ready Hot Water Cylinders
We install solar-ready hot water tanks designed to integrate seamlessly with solar collectors while retaining the ability to operate with:
- Electricity
- Gas boosting
- Future heat pump integration
Benefits of Solar-Ready Cylinders:
- Future-proof for energy upgrades
- Dual heat exchange coils for maximum efficiency
- Faster water recovery
- Long operational lifespan
- Fully compliant with New Zealand safety standards
If your existing cylinder is not solar-compatible, we can upgrade it as part of your system installation.
Call Now 0800 484 353
Solar Hot Water Repairs, Servicing & Maintenance
Solar systems require professional servicing to ensure long-term reliability and peak performance. We provide complete maintenance, diagnostics, and repair services, including:
- Pump replacement and performance testing
- Controller faults and upgrades
- Sensor replacement
- Fluid change-outs and air purging
- Temperature and pressure valve servicing
- Leak detection and seal replacement
- Performance efficiency testing
Regular maintenance protects your investment and ensures optimal energy harvesting year-round.
Call Now 0800 484 353
Flat-Plate to Evacuated Tube Upgrades
Older flat-plate solar collectors are far less efficient than modern evacuated tube systems. We specialise in:
- Full flat-plate solar collector upgrades
- Replacing legacy rooftop frames with modern tube arrays
- Hydraulic and control system reconfiguration
- Pump and controller modernization
- Cylinder compatibility checks and upgrades
Upgrading your solar collector system can dramatically improve hot water output without replacing the entire plumbing infrastructure.
Solar Hot Water vs Heat Pump Water Heating
Solar hot water and heat pump hot water systems are both highly efficient renewable technologies. Each has distinct advantages depending on your property and energy strategy.
Solar Hot Water Advantages:
- Uses free solar energy directly
- Extremely low operating costs
- Long equipment lifespan
- Performs well in homes with good roof orientation and sun exposure
- Energy-independent during daylight hours
- Zero electrical noise
Heat Pump Advantages:
- Operates day and night
- Works in shaded properties
- Faster installation in confined spaces
- Consistent output regardless of weather
Solar hot water is the strongest competitor to heat pump water heating for homes with good solar access, particularly where long-term running cost reduction and energy independence are priorities. We install and support both technologies, allowing us to provide unbiased recommendations based purely on your site and usage profile.
Check out our web page on Heat pump water heaters
Commercial Solar Hot Water Systems
We also design and maintain commercial solar hot water systems for:
- Apartment buildings
- Hotels and motels
- Retirement villages
- Schools and sports facilities
- Food production and commercial laundries
Commercial systems deliver substantial energy savings and long-term operational cost reductions when correctly engineered.
Why Choose Southern Plumbing for Solar Hot Water?
- Fully licensed, insured and experienced technicians
- Complete design, supply and installation service
- Solar-ready cylinder specialists
- Pump, controller and collector upgrade experts
- Heat pump and gas boosting integration
- Ongoing maintenance and compliance servicing
- Local Wellington support and rapid response
All work is completed in full compliance with New Zealand plumbing, electrical, and safety regulations.
Is Solar Hot Water Right for Your Property?
Solar hot water is ideal if:
- Your roof has good north-facing or near-north orientation
- You want to reduce long-term energy costs
- You are planning a future energy-efficient home upgrade
- You want to reduce reliance on electricity or gas
We offer site assessments and system suitability reviews to ensure solar hot water will perform efficiently on your specific property.
Request a Solar Hot Water Assessment
To discuss a new solar hot water installation, system upgrade, or professional service, contact Southern Plumbing & Gasfitting Ltd today for expert advice and a tailored recommendation.