Hot water systems – service, repairs, and replacement
We've got 25 years of experience helping customers of all shapes and sizes around Brisbane with hot water system repairs, from single-dwelling units to some of the biggest businesses in the city. From repairing existing units to installing new systems, we've done it all.
Faulty hot water systems
Hot Water Systems play a vital role in any home or office. These systems provide hot water to everyday domestic and commercial fixtures, including kitchen sinks, showers, baths, and hand washbasins as well as larger pieces of equipment such as washing machines, dishwashers, or commercial taps.
Typical causes of a faulty hot water service will depend on what type of HWS you have. Your issues may be related to the power or gas supply feeding the unit, or there could be an issue with one of the components of the unit itself.
How to detect hot water system issues
In most circumstances, you’ll first notice you may have an issue when the water from a fixture is only warm or cold. Another common sign will be water leaking from the unit onto the ground or into a nearby drain.
If left untreated, whether it’s a leak or water not heating up as usual, the issue will generally only get worse. The most cost-effective way of dealing with either issue is to call and book a service with a licensed plumber. Otherwise, if the issue gets too serious, you might be forced to pay for expensive after-hours service calls.
A better way to fix hot water systems
Some plumbers are only licensed to work on standard electric and gas HWS. If you have a solar or heat pump hot water system, you’ll need a licensed plumber with the appropriate endorsement on their QBCC license for working on or installing those types of systems. Always be sure to check for an appropriately licensed plumber when contacting about services.
Think about the big picture. Replacing just the cylinder will generally shorten the life of a new cylinder, if not void the cylinder warranty completely.
In addition to the cylinder, some valves control water flow, pressure, and temperature. These should always be replaced as well when replacing a cylinder to ensure correct and safe operation.
Trust the pros. DIY can be great, but not when it comes to fixing your hot water system. Only QBCC-licenced plumbers should work on HWS if you have a heat pump or solar system. Incorrect fitting of a cylinder or valve could cause scalding water temperature or even an explosion.
Hot water system replacement – solar, gas, and electrical
In our 25 years of service, we've seen hundreds of residential and commercial hot water systems. With solar, gas, and electrical options common, what works for one might not work for another. That's why we tailor our work to the specific HWS requirements of your system. We'll come out and do a consultation to figure out the best way to proceed according to your system, space, needs, and budget.
How to prevent hot water system issues
Regular, routine maintenance schedules can prevent the need for early replacement and help you avoid faults. Not all routine maintenance requires a paid visit from a plumber. Some can be as easy as releasing water from the relief valves every 3-6 months. Make sure your plumbing professional explains these routine maintenance tips when installing your new HWS. Or call us here at iPLUMB AUSTRALIA if you need help.
Types of hot water systems
The main types of hot water systems are:
Mains storage
(electric or gas)
These have 25L-315L storage cylinders that are generally wrapped in a layer of foam insulation and Colourbond sheet steel skin for exterior protection. These have components for heating water and maintaining a constant temperature. A series of valves and fittings are used to control and maintain pressure, water flow, and temperature delivery. Water within the cylinder is heated and maintained at temperature until delivery when a hot fixture tap is opened.
Solar
These commonly consist of a storage cylinder and paneled collector. Sometimes both the cylinder and the paneled collector are mounted on the roof. There are also split systems where the cylinder is mounted on the ground while the panels are on the roof. Both systems will include a booster (generally electric but in some cases a gas unit) to heat the water in the event of poor weather. Solar HWS use a series of valves and fittings similar to mains storage units to deliver the hot water. However, with solar systems, the sun heats the water where possible. Split systems or gas-boosted systems generally have a few more components to control and run the system, including a circulating pump and controller.
Instantaneous
(electric or gas)
These generally consist of smaller wall-hung units with no storage vessel. Often powered by natural or liquified petroleum gas (LPG), water pipes inside the unit spiral around a heat exchange that's positioned over the main burner. When a hot fixture tap is opened, the unit detects the water flow and fires the main burner to heat the water as it flows around the heat exchange up toward and out of the tap.
Heat pump
These units have the same storage cylinder as electric mains systems. They deliver hot water to the hot fixture tap the same way, too, but heat it differently. Heat pump units have similar components to an air conditioner that are attached to the top or side or sit in a separate stand-alone unit. They use ambient air temperature to heat the water through an internal compressor, which requires less power than a conventional electric element.
Heat exchange
These units are less commonly manufactured today, but there are still many in use. They have a similar-looking cylinder to a mains storage system but it's generally smaller, with 140L being the most common delivery size. Heat exchange systems are mostly constructed from a copper cylinder with a vent. They are heated by a thermostatically controlled electrical element, just like main storage systems. An internal copper coil of pipe is submerged within the cylinder, which is under mains pressure. On that way to the hot fixture tap, the water passes through the coil and is heated by the water it is submerged in. These systems feature fewer valves than a standard mains storage and generally last longer due to the copper construction being less susceptible to corrosion.
FAQs
How much does it cost to replace a hot water system?
The cost of installation will vary depending on the type of system, location, and compliance of existing installation.
Can you deliver a hot water system today?
We can typically supply and install standard electric storage HWS on the same day, though some other types require a longer lead time to source. For those instances, we provide the option to install a smaller, temporary unit while the desired unit has been sourced. This means no cold showers for our clients…
Will you remove my old hot water system?
Yes, unless requested otherwise all our quotations include removal and disposal of all old units off-site, leaving your home clean and tidy on completion.
Can my hot water system be repaired?
In some instances, it can, but it depends on the issue. Most systems consist of a storage cylinder and many other individual components. If the fault is due to a corroded, split, or damaged cylinder, replacement is the only viable option. If one or more of the components or valves have failed, they can generally be replaced.
What happens if my hot water system can't be repaired?
If repairing your HWS is not possible or cost-effective, we will assess which type of HWS suits your needs and provide a quote for replacement.
What are the regulations around hot water installations here in Queensland?
When completing any plumbing work in Queensland which falls under the Notifiable Works classification, workers must submit a Form 4 compliance form. The form must be submitted to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) upon completion of the work. A copy must also be provided to the homeowner.
Notifiable work is a category of plumbing and drainage work a plumber is allowed to perform without a local government permit or mandatory inspections. It includes most work performed in existing homes and limited work on commercial buildings. All regulated plumbing and drainage work including permit, notifiable or minor works must be performed by a QBCC- licensed plumbing or drainer and includes hot water system and tempering valve installation or replacement.
For more information, visit the QBCC website.
What temp should my hot water system be?
The maximum allowable temperature dispensed from the outlet of any sanitary fixture (e.g. basin, bath or shower) shall not exceed 45 degrees for any aged, child, or healthcare facility and 50 degrees for any other situation such as a residential home, unit, or apartment. We can set your HWS to a maximum temperature of 50 degrees or by limiting the outlet temperature via a tempering valve or thermostatic mixing valve. It is important to note that any storage type HWS must heat and maintain a temperature of at least 60 degrees to avoid the likelihood of legionella bacteria growth.
Does the hot water system install come with insulation and lagging?
Yes. All types of HWS sold for installation in Australia must be manufactured to an Australian standard that includes some form of insulation. The installation of the HWS must also be carried out under AS3500.4 guidelines, which outline requirements for the exposed piping valves and fittings to also be insulated to limit heat loss, which in turn increases efficiency. This is just one mandatory compliance requirement that has changed over the years and may differ from your current HWS installation.
Another important change worth noting is the relief drain must now extend from any pressure and temperature relief (P&TR) and cold expansion valve (ECV) and terminate over a drain point such as stormwater or grated sewer gully and not onto the ground. These valves can release water daily due to pressure build-up in the cylinder and the damp patches left on the ground can be detrimental to the stability of the building footings and/or attract termites.