Guide to Solar Hot Water Diverters

If you have got solar panels on your roof, you are already doing a great job of saving money and cutting down on your carbon footprint. But did you know there's a way to get even more out of your solar setup? That’s where solar hot water diverters come in.

These clever devices help you use any extra solar power to heat your water instead of sending it back to the grid for next to nothing. Let me explain what these are and how they work in plain English.

What Are Solar Hot Water Diverters?

Simply put, solar hot water diverters are gadgets that help you make better use of the electricity your solar panels generate. Normally, any extra power your panels produce that you don’t use gets sent back to the grid, often for a low return. But with a diverter, instead of giving that power away, you use it to heat up your water. This means you’re using more of the power you generate, cutting down on your energy bills and saving even more money.

How Do They Work?

Here’s a basic rundown of how these things work:

• Monitoring Solar Power and Usage: The diverter keeps track of how much electricity your solar panels are generating and how much power you're using in your home.
• Spotting Extra Energy: When your panels are making more electricity than you're using (like when you’re out during the day), the diverter notices there's spare power that would normally go to waste.
• Heating Your Water: Instead of letting that extra power go back to the grid, the diverter sends it to your immersion heater to warm up your water. If you suddenly start using more electricity (say you turn on a big appliance), the diverter will automatically adjust and prioritise your home’s power needs.
• Optimising Usage: The diverter is always adjusting to make sure you're getting the most out of your solar panels without compromising on the power you need around the house.

Popular Solar Hot Water Diverters

Two well-known options you might come across are the MyEnergi Eddi and Solar iBoost. Here’s a quick overview:

• MyEnergi Eddi: The Eddi is pretty versatile. It doesn’t just heat your water; it can also send extra energy to things like underfloor heating. It’s user-friendly, and you can even control it from your phone, so you can keep tabs on everything no matter where you are.
• Solar iBoost: The Solar iBoost is a reliable and straightforward choice. It’s designed to work with most solar setups and hot water tanks. It also comes with a wireless sensor to keep things tidy. Like the Eddi, it helps you make the most of your extra solar power.

Why Use a Solar Hot Water Diverter?

• Save on Bills: Using your own solar power to heat water means you’re less dependent on grid electricity or gas, which can help reduce your energy bills.
• Maximise Your Solar Investment: Instead of sending your extra solar power back to the grid for a small return, you use it yourself, making your solar panels even more valuable.
• Be More Eco-Friendly: Heating water with solar power instead of traditional energy sources means you’re cutting down on your carbon footprint.
• Easy to Install: Most diverters, like the Eddi and iBoost, are designed to fit easily into your existing solar system with minimal fuss.
• Prepare for the Future: With energy prices on the rise and more focus on sustainability, using a solar hot water diverter helps you stay ahead and keep your energy costs in check.

Solar hot water diverters, like the MyEnergi Eddi and Solar iBoost, are a great way to get more out of your solar panels. Instead of letting your extra solar power go to waste, you use it to heat your water, save money, and do your bit for the environment. If you are already invested in solar, adding a diverter is a simple and effective way to make your setup even better.