The 'Cleanest' shower you've ever had

In 2010 the Office of Environmental Sustainability committed $5 for every Monash Environmental Pledge received, towards renewable energy projects.  This included a project to to provide solar hot water heating to the hockey pavilion at the Clayton campus. The system will ensure that the sun will provide around 80% of the hot water used throughout the year.

The new hot water unit utilises evacuated tube technology where a vacuum is used to insulate the solar tubes. This drastically increases the efficiency compared to older systems, and importantly performs well during Melbournes winter. 

The system relies on a smart controller, that ensures the electric boosters do not turn on at night, thereby maximising solar gain. The controller also manages the periodic heating of the water to ensure Legionella does not form. The project also avoided sending the old hot water units to landfill, by re-using them in the rugby pavilion. 

So next time your in the hockey pavilion you can have the 'cleanest' shower you've ever had.