We are using the vacuum tubes just for hot water and that is saving us more than a $100 a quarter.
Generally, our electricity bills hover somewhere between $250 and $350 a quarter, so we are saving quite substantially on our electricity bills with the tube system installed. Our 260 litre tank provides more hot water than we would ever use.
Even in winter the water for most part is hot enough and if necessary can be boosted from an electrical source but for most this has not had to happen very often and our winters where we are can get very cold.
Eventually, we are looking at going completely solar for our power supply. Batteries are the main problems, they are the weakest link in the whole system and to overcome this problem we are going to incorporate a mini-hydro electric system.
Two 10000 litre tanks with sufficient grade to gravity feed through a generator. So by day you have solar power and by night hydro. The water running from the top tank at night provides all necessary electricity without battery backup. During the day the water now in the lower tank is pumped back up to the holding tank by a solar pump waiting for the night shift.
One of my students is going to set it up for me. He is involved directly in producing this type of system which is generally installed in outback isolated farming areas.
I think it can also be used in semi rural areas as well.
