Hot water systems are an essential part of life. Most people use hot water daily. The trouble is that when your hot water system goes, it will generally do so without much warning!

This is why we recommend staying one step ahead of your system. Do this by monitoring your system’s performance, have regular checks and plan for your next system ahead of time. Being prepared could save you from having cold showers in the middle of winter!

Which gas hot water system should you buy?

Often it’s tempting to simply replace your system with the same product. However, like most things in life, technological advancements mean there could be a better system out there.

Factors to consider when deciding include:

By considering your existing hot water usage, you can identify gaps or desires for your next system.

Key points to identify about your existing hot water usage include:

It’s generally accepted that one person uses 50L of hot water throughout an average day. Of course, this simple estimate changes based on certain variables, but it is useful as a general guide for capacity purposes.

The size of your household will determine the size and type of your hot water system. Is storage or continuous flow a better option for a small house with 1-2 occupants?

The size of your hot water system will depend on whether you want a storage tank or instantaneous system (continuous flow). If you’re considering a storage tank system, the size will depend on the number of occupants in your home. By comparison, a continuous flow system will depend on the number of hot water outlets in your home that will be using water at any one time.

It’s important to consider that a storage tank which exceeds your requirements will cost extra to heat and store unused water, making your hot water bills bigger than they need to be! By contrast, a storage tank that is too small means you risk running out of hot water throughout the day.

Continuous flow systems have limitations too. If the system is too small for your needs, you will be limited to only using one hot water outlet at a time. We don’t recommend washing your dishes while you’re in the shower!

There are a few different costs to consider when purchasing your hot water system. These include the cost of the supply and installation of the system itself, and ongoing maintenance and running costs.

Chiswick Plumbing provides an upfront price before starting any work, to supply and install any gas storage or continuous flow water heater. This price includes removal and environmentally responsible disposal of your old system. There may be additional fees for any new plumbing work or required safety valves/devices – especially if the location or “fuel type” of the system is changing or your premises are not already compliant with current Australian standards regarding hot water.

Generally, continuous flow systems last longer than storage systems. This is because the storage of water can lead to corrosion within the tank if not maintained.

If you have a hot water storage tank, it’s important to regularly check and replace the sacrificial anode inside your tank. These anodes inhibit corrosion of the tank, therefore increasing the lifespan – however, they need to be replaced more frequently in areas with “hard” water. Read more about how these anodes preserve the quality of your tank.

In general, the life expectancy of a water heater is between 5 and 10 years, depending on the material of your tank and manufacturing quality of the product.

The lifespan of your system can be 10+ years when maintained and serviced appropriately.

Ask us about our hot water services and routine maintenance plans.

If your home has compatible gas connections, natural gas is an option worth considering.

Gas is generally a cheaper option than electricity in terms of your utility bills and there is no fluctuation of rates throughout the day.

As gas is a natural resource, it is more environmentally-friendly than an electric option. If a natural gas hot water system isn’t an option at your home, other possibilities include solar hot water systems, LPG gas hot water systems and electric hot water systems.

Installation of a gas hot water system is generally same-day if there are no unexpected issues, such as inadequate gas supply to the heater or upgrades required to metering and pipework.

Gas systems that use a pilot light can be less economical than those with electric ignition. Although those powered by a pilot light will continue to function in a blackout!

When all of these factors are considered, it can be a little daunting to choose which option will be the best hot water system for you. The key thing to remember is what level of investment you can afford and which system will give you the best value for money.

Chiswick Plumbing supplies and installs systems from leading brands such as Dux, Rheem, Rinnai, AquaMax, BOSCH and Thermann.

We can install a range of hot water systems including:

Whether you need a small continuous flow unit, or large capacity commercial water heater, we can get you connected.