Frequently asked questions

  • iHot is a smart solar hot water controller that connects your existing hot water tank to dedicated solar panels. It intelligently uses the solar energy your home already generates to heat your water first, only switching to grid electricity when needed. This helps reduce your reliance on traditional power and lower your energy bills.

    You can read more about this here.

  • Probably, yeah! iHot is designed to work with most standard electric hot water systems (with a resistive heating element) commonly found in Australian homes. This makes it an affordable and accessible energy-efficient upgrade. Your installer will confirm compatibility with your specific system.

  • iHot is designed for electric hot water systems and is not compatible with gas systems. Compatibility with heat pump hot water systems may vary. If your system isn’t suitable, a licensed plumber may need to install a compatible system before your iHot installation can proceed.

  • Most likely, yep! iHot works with most residential solar panel systems. If you already have solar installed, iHot helps you maximise solar self-consumption by using that energy to heat your water instead of sending it back to the grid.

  • Hot water is one of the biggest contributors to household energy costs in Australia. By switching to solar-powered hot water, many households can significantly reduce these costs. For a typical 4-person home, iHot could save around $900 per year, depending on usage, system size, and solar generation.

  • Installation is quick and simple, usually completed in a day by a qualified solar electrician when your existing setup is compatible. Because iHot works with your current system, there’s minimal disruption — making it an easy home energy upgrade.

    If a new hot water system is required, this will be completed by a licensed plumber beforehand.

  • You’ll still have hot water — no stress!

    iHot prioritises solar during the day, but if solar energy isn’t available (like at night or during cloudy weather), the system automatically switches to grid power. This ensures a reliable supply of hot water all year round.

  • Not at all. Once installed, iHot works automatically in the background. There’s nothing new to learn — it simply makes your solar hot water system smarter and more efficient.

  • Yes — iHot is built for everyday use in Australian homes. Unlike traditional solar hot water systems with rooftop tanks, iHot has a simpler design with fewer components, improving reliability and reducing the chance of issues over time.

  • Very little! With fewer moving parts, iHot requires minimal maintenance compared to traditional systems. It can be checked during your regular electrical service, and because it’s separate from your tank, it usually doesn’t require plumbing work.

  • Yes. iHot can be used in both grid-connected and off-grid solar systems. It’s a flexible solution for households looking to increase energy independence and eliminate reliance on the grid.