You must ensure you have enough hot water storage capacity to supply your household's requirements.

There are many types of hot water heater, and they vary in size and function. You can get a suitable storage tank or a tankless heater. The former is like an electric kettle on standby at home and a reservoir of heated water ready to use when needed, while the latter heats up hard water as required. This takes longer but doesn't store any excess water. There are also solar hot water heaters where the sun's rays are used to warm up fluid in pipes that are then circulated through the home. Another type of heater is an instantaneous one, which heats the water when you need it.

How much does a 125l hot water system cost?

The average price of a 125l hot water system are listed below.

  • 125-litre Electric Hot Water Heater Supply and Install NSW $1,100, supply only $800.

  • Electric Storage 125L 3.6Kw $600.

  • Stainless Steel 125 Litre Hot Water Heater Supply and Install NSW $1,100.

  • 135-litre External Gas Hot Water Heater Supply and Install NSW $1,200.

What is a storage tank hot water system?

The most common type of heater is also the least expensive: the storage tank system. The installed system works by heating up cold water in the cylinder and storing it at a pre-determined temperature (usually 60C or 70C). When you turn on your tap, hot water comes out until either the stored water runs out or you turn off your faucet. The advantage of this system is that it’s very easy to install and operate; the downside is that heat loss means you don't get as much hot water for your money when compared to other installed systems.

Storage tank hot water systems are a type of electric hot water system that uses a storage tank to store hot water. This type of model is typically installed and used in homes that have more than one bathroom. The hot water is stored in the cylinder tank and then distributed to the bathrooms as needed. One of the biggest benefits of an electric storage tank hot water system is that it can deliver plenty of hot water for multiple bathrooms at the same time. Additionally, the plumbing and installation of this type of system is typically less expensive than plumbing of other types of hot water systems.

What types of hot water system can I get?

There are three types of common indoor hot water systems: storage tank, tankless model, and solar model. Storage tank systems are the most common and work by heating up cold water in the cylinder and storing it at a pre-determined temperature (usually 60C or 70C). When you turn on your tap, hot water comes out through the tempering valve until either the stored water runs out or you turn off your faucet. Tankless systems heat up cold water as it's required, meaning you don't have to worry about running out of hot water delivery. Solar systems use the sun's rays to warm up fluid in pipes that is then circulated through the home hot water delivery taps.

How does an instantaneous heater work?

An instantaneous heater heats water when customers need it, which means there's no time wasted in waiting for hot water to reach the taps. An instantaneous heater can be powered electrically, gas, or solar.

Gas instantaneous heaters are the most popular type in plumbing as they are the most efficient. They work by igniting gas and creating a flame that heats up a set of coils. The heated coils then heat the water that flows through them inside the cylinder. Solar instantaneous water heaters work by using energy from the sun to heat up water. They typically have a backup system in case there is not enough sunlight to deliver enough energy to heat the water. The other components of the heater include the tempering valve, cylinder, etc.

Electric hot water heaters work by heating up water with an electric element. They are typically more expensive to operate than gas or solar instantaneous heaters.

What size hot water system will I need?

There are two factors highly recommended to consider before the purchase of any system. Firstly, you must ensure you have enough hot water storage capacity to supply your household's requirements. Secondly, if your hot water system is currently operating at full capacity and still not meeting demand, then the size of the upgrade you're considering must be substantial enough to deliver more hot water when required.

The standard for sizing hot water systems has changed over time, but approximately anything between 20 litres per minute (L/min) to 40 L/min would meet most smaller families' household needs, up to four showerheads in peak periods. For larger households or company, those with multiple bathrooms, around 55 L/min will meet typical use patterns. If however there is another high draw appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine, 55 L/min may not be sufficient. For small households, a 125 litre electric hot water system is a good option.

Hot water systems are rated by how much hot water they produce in litres per minute (LPM).

How long does it take to install a hot water system?

It's not a straightforward question, but the general rule of thumb is that it will take approximately six hours to complete plumbing and installation. The plumbing process also includes dual-handed inlet and outlet fittings. There are several steps that will need to be individually assessed by a plumbing professional on every installation job. For instance, how accessible the existing installed system is may affect your time frame.

How much does it cost to install a hot water system?

The labour cost and cost to supply and install will vary depending on the description of the system you choose, the size of the system, and the complexity of the installation and plumbing. However, on average, customers can expect to pay between $500 and $2,000 for the installation and plumbing of a new hot water unit.

Not all systems can be upgraded. For instance, an electric instantaneous water heater cannot be upgraded to a solar or gas instantaneous water heater. In these cases, you would need to replace the entire system and do the installation of a new gas or electric hot water unit. For more information on hot water systems, take a look at the Australian Government's Your Home website.