Apricus Hot Water Systems Brisbane & Gold Coast

Apricus Evacuated-Tube Solar Hot Water

Evacuated-tube solar is the technology Apricus is best known for. Instead of using a large flat solar panel, the collector contains multiple cylindrical evacuated glass tubes mounted across the roof.

The round tube shape allows sunlight to strike a useful collector surface across more of the day as the sun moves across the sky. Apricus describes this as passive sun tracking.

Heated fluid from the collector transfers energy into the ground-level hot water storage tank through a pumped solar circuit. An electric or gas booster provides backup hot water when solar contribution is insufficient.

Apricus 250L, 315L & 400L Solar Hot Water

Apricus's typical residential solar configurations combine storage capacity with an appropriate number of evacuated collector tubes. Common manufacturer combinations are approximately 250L with 22 tubes, 315L with 30 tubes and 400L with 44 tubes.

What Size Apricus Solar Hot Water System Do I Need?

Solar sizing should consider both storage capacity and collector area. Installing a larger tank without appropriate solar collection does not automatically create a better solar hot water system.

JR's stored-hot-water sizing method uses approximately 40 litres per person per day for light usage, 50 litres for average usage and 65 litres for high usage before matching the household to a practical storage capacity.

Apricus also recommends considering location, household size, water demand, water quality and whether the property uses electricity, Natural Gas or LPG for boosting.

Apricus Electric-Boosted vs Gas-Boosted Solar

The best boosting method depends on the property's existing energy supply, tariff structure, gas availability and installation configuration.

Apricus Glass-Lined vs Stainless-Steel Solar Tanks

Apricus solar systems are available with different storage-tank materials, including vitreous-enamel glass-lined tanks and selected stainless-steel options.

Apricus Evacuated Tubes vs Flat-Panel Solar

Evacuated-tube and flat-panel solar systems both use sunlight to reduce the amount of purchased energy needed for water heating, but their collectors are constructed differently.

How Heavy Are Apricus Solar Collectors?

Apricus promotes evacuated-tube collectors as relatively lightweight compared with solar systems that place the storage tank itself on the roof.

The manufacturer states that a 30-tube collector is approximately 110kg spread over roughly a 2.2m by 2.0m roof area.

The exact roof structure, mounting system and installation still need to be suitable for the collector and local conditions.

Apricus Frost Protection & Cold-Weather Performance

Apricus evacuated-tube solar systems are designed for operation across a broad range of Australian climates. The manufacturer promotes built-in frost protection down to approximately -15°C without relying on glycol within the standard collector arrangement.

Frost performance is not generally the main challenge in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, but the collector design can be relevant for properties in colder inland regions.

Apricus 260L All-In-One Heat Pump

Apricus now also offers a 260L All-In-One air-source heat pump. Unlike the solar range, the tank and heat-pump refrigeration equipment remain at ground level and there are no roof-mounted solar collectors.

The current model uses R290 refrigerant and combines a 260L storage tank with heat-pump heating, smart touchscreen controls and an integrated electric element for additional heating when required.

Apricus Solar vs Apricus Heat Pump

Neither technology is automatically the right choice for every property. Roof suitability, installation complexity, household demand, maintenance preference and upfront cost all matter.

Apricus Solar Ready Electric Hot Water Tanks

Apricus also offers Solar Ready electric storage tanks for homeowners who need an electric hot water system immediately but may want to add evacuated- tube solar later.

Current Solar Ready storage options include 250L, 315L and 400L glass-lined electric tanks.

The tank can initially operate as a conventional electric storage heater, then be connected to an Apricus solar retrofit package when the household is ready to upgrade.

Apricus Heat Pump with Solar PV

A heat pump and rooftop solar PV can work together even though the heat pump does not use solar thermal collectors.

The Apricus All-In-One includes timer-controlled heating cycles, allowing operation to be shifted toward periods when the home is producing rooftop solar electricity.

In this arrangement the PV panels create electricity, the heat pump uses some of that electricity to transfer heat into the water, and the hot water tank effectively stores part of the daytime solar energy for later use.

Apricus Solar & Heat Pump Rebates / STCs

Eligible Apricus solar hot water and heat pump installations can qualify for Small-scale Technology Certificates where the exact model and installation meet the applicable scheme requirements.

Apricus's current All-In-One heat pump is listed by the manufacturer as an eligible Clean Energy product, while qualifying solar hot water systems can also generate STCs.

The available benefit varies by product, installation location and current scheme rules, so the exact incentive should be checked against the selected system.

Is Apricus an Australian Hot Water Brand?

Apricus Australia launched in 2005 and describes itself as Australian owned and operated. The business specialises in energy-efficient hot water and has built its Australian reputation primarily around evacuated-tube solar technology.

Apricus reports a national distribution network of more than 1,500 resellers and a dedicated national service-agent network for technical and after-sales support.

Apricus Warranty & Support

Warranty coverage varies by Apricus product family and component. Current Apricus information promotes long-term coverage on major solar components, while the current All-In-One heat pump is marketed with a six-year parts and labour warranty.

The exact warranty applying to the selected tank, collector, heat pump, controller, pump and other components should always be checked against the current manufacturer's warranty documentation.

Replacing an Older Apricus Solar Hot Water System

An ageing Apricus system does not automatically require complete replacement. Solar hot water systems contain several separate components, including collectors, tubes, pump, controller, valves, booster equipment and the storage tank.

A broken evacuated tube or serviceable pump fault is very different from a leaking storage cylinder or several ageing components requiring substantial work.

Where the existing system is no longer economical to repair, homeowners can compare a new Apricus solar package with a modern heat pump rather than automatically repeating the old configuration.

Apricus Installation Brisbane & Gold Coast

JR Gas & Water installs suitable Apricus hot water systems throughout Brisbane, the Gold Coast and eligible South East Queensland service areas.

Solar installation requires suitable roof area, collector orientation, mounting, pumped solar pipework, storage-tank location, booster supply, valves, drainage and commissioning.

Heat-pump installation instead focuses on airflow, base position, condensate drainage, electrical supply, plumbing and clearances around the ground-level unit.

Where the best pathway is unclear, JR can assess the existing system and property before deciding between Apricus solar, heat pump or another hot water technology.

Apricus Hot Water FAQs