Australian households are making the switch to more energy-efficient heated water systems. The Clean Energy Council reported in 2019 that there were more than 1.2 million solar water heating systems installed across Australia.
Standards Australia recently published the revised standard AS/NZS 4234, “Heated water systems—Calculation of energy consumption,” which aims to provide clear guidance for the assessment of energy consumption for heated water systems.
“In the average Australian home, water heating systems are the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions, producing almost a quarter of household emissions,” says Roland Terry-Lloyd, head of standards development at Standards Australia. “Standards Australia is continuing to develop solution-based standards to assist in a sustainable future in Australia.”
The revised standard also takes into consideration emerging products on the market, as well as the societal behavior of hot water consumptions.
“The standard will assist manufacturers, suppliers, and governments by providing a clear and consistent basis for consumer guidance, regulation, and support programs for the assessment of energy consumption by heated water systems,” says Ken Guthrie, chair of the committee responsible for the standard.
The amendments made are now reflective of the rapid technological advances in market and have also consolidated previous amendments to create a straightforward standard to minimize confusion within industry.
The published standards are: