Not only is it great for baths and showers, but the hot water supply is also essential for things like washing dishes and clothes.
Hot water is something that many of us take for granted, but if you don't have a hot water supply system, you know just how important it is. Here's a look at some of the most popular types of water heating systems in Australia, as well as estimated prices.
Hot water system | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
50 litre Electric Stainless Steel Hot Water System, Installed with plumbing (tempering valve excluded) | $900 |
50 litre 3.6kW Electric Storage Water Heater (tempering valve excluded) | $400 |
50 litre 2.4kW Electric Hot Water Storage Tank With Plug (temping valve excluded) | $350 to $400 |
Storage systems are more common and usually come in either 50L or 80L sizes. They can be either electric or gas powered, but electric storage systems are more common. Storage systems usually cost between $300 and $1,000 for plumbing and installation by a professional, depending on the size of the system and the type of heater used.
Continuous flow systems are more expensive to install, but they use less energy and can be installed almost anywhere. They usually cost around $1,500 for plumbing and to install.
The highly recommended way to determine whether or not you need a new electric system is to contact a professional to come and inspect your current system. The professional will be able to tell you how old your system is, how much life it has left, and whether or not it needs replacing.
If you are in the market for a new electric hot water supply system, there are a few factors you should take into account. The first is the size of your household. Do you have one or two people or more? The second is the type of system. Do you want a storage system or a continuous supply system?
If there's a need for restricted space installations, you might need additional help from a professional.In Australia, a typical household runs their hot water supply on an average of 45-65 litres per person, per day The daily amount of hot water supply used by any household depends on various factors including the number of occupants, age and lifestyle of occupants, types of appliances in use, and how often they are used Establishing what your everyday needs are in terms of hot water usage in addition to the plumbing and installation cost will help you decide upon a size system that meets your current needs or future requirements without wastage or overspending. This information can be collected by observing your present situation and reading any fuel bills you may have. For example, does your household use an electric hot water heater or a conventional gas system? If you do not use any appliances that require a hot water supply (washing machines, dishwashers, etc.) then you could consider sizing your hot water heater based on the number of occupants within the household. If this is the case, it is highly recommended to size your alternative solution based on two people's average daily usage which is 50 litres per person per day.
There are two types of hot water heater that use a 50-litre tank: electric and gas-powered. Electric systems are more common, while gas-powered systems are becoming more popular. Electric systems usually come in two sizes: 50L or 80L. They use a storage tank to heat and store water and release it when you need it. Storage systems usually cost between $300 and $1,000 for plumbing and to install, depending on the size of the system and the type of heater used. Gas-powered systems use a continuous flow system to heat water on demand, which makes them more energy efficient. The labour cost to install is around $1,500.
Electric hot water heaters have a few pros and cons that you should take into account before deciding if they are right for you.
The most common type of system, so they are easy to find and install.
They are affordable and usually cost less than gas-powered systems
Easy to use and maintain.
Use more energy than gas-powered systems, so they can be more expensive to run
Can be less reliable than gas-powered systems
How long it takes to install an electric hot water heater depends on the size of the system, what type of equipment is being used and how big your household is. Small systems usually take around four hours for plumbing and installation with a wall mounting bracket. Installation and plumbing of large systems can take up to a full day or more depending on what kind of equipment. Small systems are best suited for tight spots.
Electric systems usually last around 10-15 years, while gas-powered systems usually last around 15-20 years. The warranty conditions differ based on the brand. For instance, labour warranty and other warranty conditions apply depending on the manufacturer and the service provider. Before the labour offer install service, please go through all the details since warranty conditions apply. This includes labour warranty.
To decide on the right size storage tank for your demand for hot water supply, you need to consider how much hot water supply you need at the same time, what appliances require hot water supply (washing machine, dishwasher), how often they are used, whether there are children in the house who require lots of hot water supply for baths or other reasons, and if you have a gas-powered system or an electric system. You should also consider whether your household is experiencing periods of high/low usage that would affect the storage capacity of the tank. A small system usually has enough storage capacity for one person's average daily use. This will vary depending on how often appliances need to be used and how much hot water they require. The more multiple outlets of hot water in your home, the larger tank you'll need for your hot water heater.