Critical Review - Saxon Electric Storage Hot Water Systems

Saxon, if you are a Queenslander, you know what it is. A word that just says hot water. Saxon hot water and formally Peter Sachs Industries were a formidable force in Queensland hot water for over 100 years until their eventual down fall in 2011 becoming an unused name owned by Rheem.

Saxon hot water produced a wide range of systems to suit every household from 90 to 400l in electric, the Saxon Super Flow Heat Pump and Saxon SolarStar solar arrangements. Saxon was famous for their simple setup. Big jug of water, element and a coil sending water through the unit. Connections were a breeze for plumbers with minimal plumbing required and a 30minute installation. That design due to new efficiency regulations did not lend itself well to meeting legal requirements and did help bring an end to Saxon hot water systems.

A simple but inconvenient system to operate the vessel of hot water the Saxon Copperflow and Trueflow hot water system used to transfer heat to the cold water needed to be topped up generally two or three times a year to avoid the dreaded cold shower. To fill up the unit there is a top up valve on the connection to the unit with a lever. This lever needs to be lifted until water runs through the overflow which depending on how long it was last done could take up to 20minutes for a large system.

As the principal of the system was heat transfer. The system had to run at a high internal temperature to transfer enough heat quickly enough through the outside of a copper coil to the passing water, but the system also had to run at a low water speed as more speed and a better shower meant lower temperatures. Homeowner sabotage was a real issue with poorly performing installations. 

The biggest issue though was efficiency. The system has a big hole in the top to let out steam, excess water and for expansion. While these things were meant to escape so did the heat, a lot of it and without a break. That meant a Saxon Trueflow or Copperflow system had to run more often than the now conventional sealed system. With more run time came bigger bills. What you saved in a cheap install was quickly lost through high power bills and poor showers.

Now that Saxon Copper Flow and Trueflow hot water systems no longer exist what's the best replacement? It depends on a number of factors such as where is the system located in the property, is there room for a larger system, how many people in the household, am I planning on living in the property for a long time of not, what's my budget, do i have solar? Alot to ask and a lot to answer but here are a few recommendations and things we can help you with to get you back in a hot shower.

I have a Saxon 90l Copper Flow/ True Flow hot water system. What do you recommend?

The Saxon Trueflow 90l is a relatively small unit and used predominately on small units, granny flats etc. Depending on the occupants and room a 80L for 1 occupant or 125L for two occupants would be ideal. Since Rheem has shelfed but owns the Saxon name we would recommend something from their range.

 Vulcan 80 and 125L

 Aquamax 80 and 125L

Rheem 80 and 125L

Don't forget all of our recommendations are ready for same day installation across South East Queensland.

I have a Saxon 140l Copper Flow/ True Flow hot water system. What do you recommend?

The Saxon Copperflow 140l was a Brisbane staple and by far the most common size we see. Generally found on 3 bedroom homes and suitable for 2-3 people we would recommend a 160L or 250L for larger families of 4-5 occupants. Where the power connection is skewed left we would recommend a Rheem Stellar or Dux for their off-set power connections though others can be used and adapted. This is also the point where a larger family should start to consider a heatpump to reduce their hot water running costs 65-75%

Rheem Stellar 160 and 250L

Dux 160 and 250L

Heatpumps

I have a Saxon 160l Copper Flow/ True Flow hot water system. What do you recommend?

The Saxon Trueflow 160l was another Brisbane staple and an extremely popular system. Generally found on 4 bedroom homes and suitable for 3-4 people we would recommend a 160L or 250L for larger families of 4-5 occupants. Where the power connection is skewed left we would recommend a Rheem Stellar or Dux for their off-set power connections though others can be used and adapted. This is also the point where a larger family should start to consider a heatpump to reduce their hot water running costs 65-75%

Rheem Stellar 160 and 250L

Dux 160 and 250L

Heatpumps

I have a Saxon 180l Copper Flow/ True Flow hot water system. What do you recommend?

The Saxon Copperflow 180l was another Brisbane staple and an extremely popular system. Generally found on 4-5 bedroom homes and suitable for 4-5 people we would recommend a 250L or 315L for larger families of 5-6 occupants. Where the power connection is skewed left we would recommend a Rheem Stellar or Dux for their off-set power connections though others can be used and adapted. This is also the point where a larger family should start to consider a heatpump to reduce their hot water running costs 65-75%

Rheem Stellar 250 and 315L

Dux 250 and 315L

Heatpumps

I have a Saxon 280l Copper Flow/ True Flow hot water system. What do you recommend?

The Saxon Trueflow 280l was a big unit designed for big families and generally set to scalding at 80deg. Generally found on 5 bedroom homes and suitable for 5-6 people we would recommend a 315L for larger families of 5-6 occupants or 400L for 7+ occupants. As these were a wider unit the power connection is generally less of an issue (Check first though). Anything is the Rheem Manufacturing range would suit as well and Dux and Rinnai. This is also the point where a larger family should start to consider a heatpump to reduce their hot water running costs 65-75%

Rheem 315 and 400L

Aquamax 315 and 400L

Rinnai 315 and 400L

Heatpumps

I have a Saxon SuperFlow 400L Heat Pump hot water system. What do you recommend?

The Saxon Superflow 400L was Saxon's first and last attempt at a Heat Pump hot water system when Queensland introduced rebates around the late 2000's. A seemingly solid and well-built unit we are just starting to replace them over the last few years. Would recommend if you are replacing one now you had a good run with it and another Heat Pump would be perfect. For those budget conscious an Enviroheat would be ideal or for those after the best of the best a Steibel Eltron or Rheem Ambiheat.

Enviroheat 250L

Stiebel Eltron WWK Series

Rheem Ambiheat

I have a Saxon SolarStar 400L Twin Panel solar hot water system. What do you recommend?

The Saxon SolarStar 400L was a Saxon twin panel split solar with booster made for Queensland when rebates were introduced around the late 2000's. A seemingly solid and well-built unit we are just starting to replace them over the last few years. Would recommend if you are replacing one now you had a good run with it and another Solar or Heat Pump would be perfect. For those budget conscious an Envirogroup Product would be ideal or for those after the best of the best anything from the Rheem range.

Envirogroup

Rheem