Hot Water Services

Discover which Hot Water System is best for you

Are you looking to upgrade your current hot water system or are you renovating and not sure which system is best to buy for you home?

I am sure you have lots of questions running through your head, like what size of hot water heater do I need for my home? Or should I go for Gas or Electric, Solar or Heat pump? Which is the most efficient Hot Water System for my home?

Hot water systems account for a quarter of the average Australian household bill, given that this is one of the most expensive appliances to run in your home you want to ensure you buy the most efficient hot water heater your budget will allow.

Read on to see which Hot water system is best for your home!

Choosing an Energy Source

Solar or Heat Pump Technology – These types of HWS are usually more expensive and more complicated to install, however they are the most energy efficient and will pay for themselves in time with the low running costs.

Largely the climate you live in or the position of your home will determine which of these are suitable for your home.

Solar

The best situation for Solar is on a North facing roof.  A solar hot water system consists of solar panels and a storage tank for the hot water.  There are 2 types Thermosiphon Systems which has both the solar panel and storage tank together on the roof and Pumped or Split System which has the solar panel on the roof and the storage tank on the ground.

To give you a rough idea a 4-person home will need roughly 4msq of solar this roughly equates to 2 panels and if you look around your neighbourhood most solar hot water systems you will see will be 2 panels.

You would need to install a slightly larger tank than with Gas and Electric HWS to allow for more storage on days with less sunlight etc.  Most tanks come with a gas or electric booster in case you need it.

The solar panels can be flat or evacuated tubes, the evacuated tubes are more efficient and require less space however there would be a higher up front cost them.

Solar hot water systems on average can provide you with around 90% of your hot water with no running cost.

Heat Pump

Heat pump hot water systems are roughly 3 times more efficient than electric storage tank system, they work by removing the heat from the air and using it to heat the water in the storage system.

You can buy either and integrated system which is the compressor and the storage unit together or you can buy a split system which is the storage system and compressor separate.

Similar to an air conditioning unit the compressor needs to be installed outside as it can be quite noisy, it needs a well-ventilated area.

Heat Pump hot water systems tend to work better in warmer humid climates however as the technology advances new systems are being developed to work specifically in colder climates.

These are your 2 most energy efficient option however budget restrains may not make these achievable, we encourage you to consider the low running cost of these appliances and calculate a life time cost of the appliance before committing to a purchase.

Gas & Electric Hot Water Systems

Storage Hot Water Systems

A storage hot water system is the most common type found in homes across Australia and is usually the cheapest to buy.  Storage hot water systems work by heating the water in the tank and storing it there.

They can be placed either in laundries, cupboards, under the stairs or outside.

It’s recommended that you set your thermostat to 60 degrees every degree higher will cost you more on your water heating bill and may result in you scalding your hands when you turn on the tap.  Any lower and you could be at risk of creating Legionella in your water a nasty bacteria.

Storage hot water systems are available in gas or electric depending on what fuel is available in your area will depend on which is best for you.  If natural gas is not available in your area you can always op of LPG gas.

Gas is a more efficient method to heating your water than electric, not only is gas cheaper it also heats the water quicker than their electric counterpart.  The gas heat is instantaneous much like a gas cooktop where’s the electric storage system works similar to a kettle taking time to reach the desired temperature.

Storage hot water systems are a relatively easy installation, giving you immediate hot water from the tap and are generally low maintenance which is why these are the most popular type of hot water system Australia’s buy.

Continuous Flow Hot Water Systems

You might be considering buying a continuous flow hot water system, these units are small and mounted on a wall.  They don’t store water instead they heat the water as you need it.

They work by pushing cold water through copper piping, and applying heat directly to these pipes. When a hot tap is turned on, a flow sensor triggers a gas burner and starts heating the water. Whatever you have set the thermostat to is the temperature your water will be heated to.  Unlike their storage counterparts these guys won’t run out of hot water.

If you buy a continuous hot water system they won’t suffer from heat loss, run out of water and it is also more energy efficient than storage hot water heaters as you can set the desired temperature you require and only heat the water as you use it.

They can be mounted indoors or outdoors depending on the type you buy, always check you have the appropriate ventilation and flue requirements met.

What size tank do I need?

Making sure you have the right size system for your needs is imperative, too big a system and you’re wasting electricity and heating water unnecessarily to small and you’ll be over working your hot water system reducing its life span.

Below is a guide from our friends at Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria, 2002

Requirements for natural gas and LPG hot water systems

Requirements for solar hot water systems

Requirements for continuous flow

The below assumes you are using the hot water outlets at the same time

Contact Plumbdog Perth if you have any questions about your solar system – 1300 884 146

Download the HWS buying guide here

While we know how important it is to have hot water in our homes and offices, the hot water system is often taken for granted or treated as a set and forget item. It’s only when they break down or stop working for whatever reason do we need to take quick action to remedy the situation.

You Don’t Always Have to Simply Replace Your Hot Water System

It seems to be trending now to simply call to get a quote for a replacement where in the past many sought for repairs. In many cases with a little TLC, the hot water system can easily be repaired. This not only has the potential of saving our customers a lot money, replacing a whole unit also means that an old unit needs to be disposed of which for the environmentally conscious knows that not all components are recyclable let alone is there a guarantee that the old system will be disposed of responsibly.

Determining Whether to Service or Replace Your Hot Water System

Eventually all hot water systems will reach the end of a good run but here are some main points and scenarios to consider when determining whether to service or replace your hot water unit.

The Hot Water Isn’t Hot Anymore

Your hot water might be luke warm or water goes hot and cold indicating that the hot water system is on its way out. This is quite a common problem and quite often does not need a full replacement. When this occurs, it could simply be the heating element or a thermostat issue. Either fixing or replacing these components would save the cost of replacing the whole system.

How Old is your Hot Water System?

A hot water system does not need to be replaced just because it’s out of warranty. Hot water systems are a commodity that is made to last even in our modern disposable world. We expect that in general a hot water system should last at least 10 years (for a reputable brand). If your hot water system has reached 20 years then it may be time for a replacement.

The Hot Water System Makes Strange Sounds

If you have noticed some clanging sounds or hissing sounds, it could be the pipes or the hot water system. A common problem when you hear hissing could be a faulty relief valve. Quite often relief valves are not tested regularly and while they can generally last a few years without any issues, if they have discharged there is the potential of debris stopping the valve from fully closing. A repair or service in this instance is a far cheaper option than replacing the whole hot water system.

Other Considerations when Replacing Hot Water Systems

If it is the case that you have to replace or are weighing up whether to fix or replace then there are few more things to consider.

Compliance

As our building standards have changed over the years, especially in older dwellings, where a hot water system currently sits in your home might no longer be permitted. A plumber or any installer would not be allowed to replace if the location breaches the code which means finding a new location and potentially extra plumbing work required.

Electric, Gas or Solar?

If you are planning on changing from one heating method to another, you may need to consider additional works required. For example, is another power point required which might require electrical work? Does the hot water system fit or will it work where the old unit currently sits? Some systems need to be placed outdoors where some systems also function indoors. For Solar, if you live in a strata property, does installing a solar hot water system on your roof also require strata approval?

Running Costs

There is a benefit of replacing your hot water system. A replacement can mean optimising your running costs. Consider your preferred heating method as well as how much hot water you really need. If you have a small place, you do not necessarily need the largest unit which will cost more to keep running. If you have a family or often have visitors then a small hot water system while cheaper to install might not accommodate your needs causing frustrations when you run out of hot water.

The Importance of a Fully Qualified and Experienced Plumber

In any industry whether it’s for hot water systems, air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions and stereos just to name a few, there are many people selling these household items with their technicians ready to install when the item is sold. In our industry we have noticed that many are trained to install a brand new hot water system but may lack the training, skills and experience to repair so when they are called out by a customer it’s really just to consider replacing with a new system.

The trusted team at Plumbdog specialise in both Hot Water System Repairs and Replacements so whether you need some simple repair work, you’re looking for a whole new system or aren’t sure what’s best for your home give us a whistle!

• Not all jobs are the same. Some jobs give us some interesting challenges that force us to get creative.
• At Plumbdog, we look for solutions even when it’s not just about the pipes.
• In this video, Darius uses a creative way to get the job done well while minimizing damage needed to the property.
• See more of our VLOGs here

In this job, Darius had a pipe that has failed inside the cavity wall. This not only makes the job interesting, it also means potentially having to cut out a big hole in the wall to work with which would simply make the building look ugly.

While cutting out a big hole would be the easy option for any old plumber to work with, our Old Dogs have some great tricks and want the best outcomes for our loyal customers.

Check out the on the spot tool modification and how easy Darius makes it look. Not only is he working with such a small hole in the wall, he cuts through the pipe, welds it and wraps it up neatly before sealing it all back up.

Imagine if you had a plumber out who insisted on using the good old hacksaw, they would need much more space to get the job done leaving a huge and unsightly patch on the building.

This is just one of the many reasons why we truly believe Plumbdog is the best in the industry. We have all the gear and every idea!

Plumbdog are maintenance plumbing specialists and the experts for leak detection and repairs, blocked drains and hot water service and repairs.