Dux Ecosmart Electric Boosted Solar

Definitely Not Recommended – We had this system installed in February 2009. The tank had a 5yr warranty as it only had one sacrificial anode, with advice to replace every 5 years, which we did twice at a total cost of over $800, together with replacing the pressure relief valve. Replacing the anode is meant to alleviate corrosion of the tank, but alas, the tank started to leak at the end of 2020 and we had the complete system removed in April this year.

The initial installation was a disaster, with a brass olive apparently installed incorrectly which resulted in water pouring out of the solar panel fittings. A call back had this fixed a few days later. The insulation lagging on the exposed water pipes on the roof was of poor quality, which I patched a little and then had replaced when I had the anode replaced 5 years later.

After some years the solar panels on the roof began leaking, with the tank ultimately leaking and requiring replacement a little over 10 years later.

The system seemed to work well enough, in that we never went without hot water, though the water was never really 'hot', though I guess this could have been rectified by some adjustment to the tempering valve. An annoying aspect of the solar panels was the build up of staining on the glass panels and the collection of debris around and under the panels. Definitely no panels on the roof for me every again.

The best part about the system at the time was that the installation price was $3950.00, but with the Federal Govt rebates we paid $1750.00 in total.

In April this year we had the system removed and replaced with an EVO 270L Heat Pump System at a cost of $3500, including the removal of the EcoSmart system. We are very happy with the Evo 270L. It suits us that it is outside, out of the way, and the noise of the heat exchange system is not an issue.

I thought that I would wait till now to compare the electricity consumption of both systems over the same time period, April - July. This has been somewhat of a cold winter where we live in Western Sydney, and being in lockdown we have had the A/C running more than we might usually do. Regardless, the Evo270L has used less electricity. Over a comparable period of 104 days the Evo 270L has consumed 290 kWh Controlled Load 2 compared to the DUX EcoSmart system which consumed 422kWh. That in summary says it all for me.

My strong recommendation is definitely don't get a Dux EcoSmart system but depending on your circumstances give strong consideration to getting the EVO 270L heat pump.