Hot water questions, answered

Start with what you already have connected (gas, off-peak power, solar panels), how many people live in the house and where the unit can go. Then weigh up running costs against the upfront price. Call Adelaide Hot Water on (08) 8444 7311 and we will talk you through the best hot water system for your specific application.

As a rough guide, one or two people suit a small tank or a compact continuous flow unit, and a family of four usually needs around 250 to 315 litres for an electric or heat pump tank, or a smaller gas storage tank because gas reheats faster. Continuous flow units are sized by litres per minute instead, based on how many showers and taps run at once. We size it on site so you do not pay for more than you need.

Generally hot water systems will last about the length of the warranty period provided by the manufacturer. Water quality, the anode in the tank and regular servicing all make a difference, so a well-looked-after system often lasts longer.

Water pooling under the tank, rust-coloured hot water, a tank that runs out much sooner than it used to, or a system that is past its warranty and keeps needing repairs. A leaking tank (not a valve) usually cannot be repaired and needs replacing.

Call Adelaide Hot Water for a range of budget hot water systems and cost effective solutions for your home in Adelaide. The cheapest system to buy is not always the cheapest to own, so we compare the purchase price with what each option costs to run.

Same day for most customers. A like-for-like swap is usually the quickest. Changing to a different type (for example electric to heat pump) can take a little longer if power or plumbing needs changing.

Yes. When we replace a system we disconnect the old unit, take it away and test the new one before we leave.

5 Star Gas hot water systems are about the same running cost as a conventional electric off peak system. Sanden Heat pumps will save 82% of your running cost compared to a conventional electric hot water system.

A gas storage tank keeps a set amount of water hot and suits homes that use a lot of hot water at once. Continuous flow (instant) heats water only when a tap is on, so it never runs out and there is no tank to keep warm. Continuous flow needs enough gas supply, so we check your meter and pipework first.

Follow the relighting steps on the unit once. If it goes out again, stop and call us: a pilot that will not stay lit is usually a faulty thermocouple, a dirty pilot or a gas supply problem, and gas parts must be worked on by a licensed gas fitter.

Turn the gas off at the meter if it is safe to do so, do not use switches or flames near it, open doors and windows and call us or your gas emergency line straight away. See our gas hot water system safety page for more.

Small conventional electric hot water systems come in 25 and 50 litre capacity, making them cheap to install. However they can be quite expensive to run.

The most expensive way to heat hot water is with a conventional electric hot water system on continuous tariff. Moving the tank to an off-peak tariff, or switching to a heat pump, cuts that cost a lot.

For a standard electric tank, yes. Off-peak heats the water overnight at a cheaper rate, but the tank has to be big enough to last the whole day, which is why off-peak tanks are usually larger. Your retailer and meter set-up decide which tariffs you can use.

Often it is the element or the thermostat, but check the hot water circuit in your switchboard first. If it keeps tripping, leave it off and call us, because that can mean a failed element or water getting where it should not.

Good quality Heat pump hot water systems like Sanden are great value, providing energy efficiency and long life. However, cheaper China made systems only last 4 -6 years and are not as efficient.

Heat pump hot water systems are the latest in new technology providing cheap running cost and high rebates when installing a new system.

It works like a reverse cycle air conditioner: it takes heat from the outside air and moves it into the water, so it uses far less power than an element heating the water directly. The outdoor unit sits next to (or on top of) the tank.

Eligible heat pumps attract government incentives (small-scale technology certificates) that come off the price, and other programs come and go. The amount depends on the model and where you live, so we confirm what applies when we quote.

A good unit is about as quiet as the outdoor part of a split system air conditioner. We place it away from bedroom windows where we can, and many models can be set to heat during the day so they are not running at night.

Adelaide gets plenty of sun, so a solar hot water system does most of the heating for free for much of the year. It suits homes with a good north-facing roof. If your roof is shaded or you already have solar panels, a heat pump can be a simpler option.

Solar systems have a gas or electric booster that tops up the heat when the sun is not enough, so you still have hot water. Setting the booster correctly makes a big difference to running costs, and we can check it for you.

Instead of flat panels, the collector is a row of glass tubes that hold heat well, even in cooler weather. Apricus evacuated tube systems are one we supply, with a 10 year tank warranty.

Yes. Common jobs include leaking panels or fittings, failed pumps and controllers, boosters that run too often and valves that need replacing.

Gas instant hot water systems provide endless amounts of hot water never running out, they come in a variety of different sizes to suit small and large households and can be 6 star rated system.

Usually, yes. We check that your gas meter and pipe size can supply the unit, where the flue and power point will go, and the flow rate you need. It frees up the space the tank used to take.

Common causes are low water flow (the unit needs a minimum flow to fire), a blocked inlet filter, gas supply problems or a unit that is too small for the number of outlets running. We service Bosch, Rinnai and Rheem continuous flow units.

Our top water heaters in Australia:

• Sanden Premium energy efficient Hot Water Systems, Australian made Stainless steel tanks with 15 year warranty
• Apricus Evacuated tube solar hot water systems, 10 year tank warranty
• Rheem Metro Gas Continuous flow hot water system, 10 Year Exchanger warranty
• Bosch Hydro power gas hot water systems, 10 year heat exchanger warranty
• Vulcan electric hot water systems, 10 year tank warranty

Sanden Heat pump hot water are the number 1 hot water system in Australia providing the longest warranties and most efficient systems.

The most reliable hot water systems are Rheem manufactured in Australia since 1930. They provide a diverse range of systems Gas, Electric and Solar and are renowned for good quality products back by great after sales service.

Rinnai hot water provide a good quality product however are more expensive than the equivalent Rheem hot water system.

Rheem hot water have much better quality products and more efficient than Dux.

All makes and models, including AquaMAX, Bosch, Dux, Rheem, Rinnai, Vulcan, Sanden, Stiebel Eltron and Apricus. We are an authorised Bosch service agent in Adelaide.

For electric, check the hot water circuit in the switchboard. For gas, check the gas is on and the pilot or unit is lit, and that the unit has power if it needs it. If it still will not heat, call us on (08) 8444 7311. See our trouble shooting page too.

It depends where the water is coming from. A dripping valve or fitting can usually be fixed. Water coming from the tank itself usually means the tank has failed and needs replacing. Turn off the cold water to the unit and call us.

A small drip while the water heats up is normal, because water expands as it warms. A steady flow, or water running all the time, is not, and the valve or the system pressure needs checking. Relief valves wear out and are a routine replacement.

Follow the manufacturer's guide for your model. As a rule of thumb, valves should be checked regularly, and tanks have an anode that wears away over time; replacing it before it is gone can add years to the tank.

Yes. We look after rental properties for landlords and property managers across Adelaide. See our property managers page.