After an unseasonably cold shower, a tank that will not stop leaking or a power bill of sorts, the question for any Sydney homeowner is whether to put in a new hot water heater or have the old one fixed. The answer is straightforward enough: if the system is in its youth with an isolated fault that is inexpensive to put right, do so. When it is old, corroded and prone to failure, and the tab for repairs is on a par with a new unit, replace it.
I am Cassian Hughes and I have little time for the kind of sales pitch that is all flash; let me give you some useful advice instead. Here is how to weigh up the age of the system, energy efficiency, safety and cost of a repair versus a replacement before making a call to a technician in Sydney. We will also be looking at electric, gas, solar and heat pump systems in Newcastle, the Central Coast, Wollongong and North Sydney.
Make The Right Call
Before you head off to Bunnings or pick a brand, you need to know what you are dealing with. Ascertain the type of system and the nature of the fault, its age and if there is any immediate risk to safety.
There is no two ways about a leaking tank. A unit that has run out of hot water might be down to the thermostat or heating element; a gas model could have a problem with the burner, ignition or supply. These are common Melbourne hot water system troubles. But when the cylinder itself has corroded, you are better off replacing the whole thing than throwing money after a single part.
Have A Look At The System
The compliance plate or data label should tell you the make, model, capacity and when it was put in. Put your phone to good use and get a photo of it, it will save a technician from having to guess at what part to bring.
See if the trouble is home-wide. One cold tap could be a tempering valve or a line of plumbing. Cold at every outlet means the control system, the heater or the power and gas supplies require some scrutiny.
Leave the covers and electrical compartments well alone and do not tinker with gas fittings. Gas is no way to spend a weekend and mixing water and electricity is a poor idea.
An Isolated Fault Calls For A Repair
If the tank is in good order and has some service life left, then engaging a Sydney hot water system repair service is the sensible option. A qualified gasfitter, plumber or electrician will have the problem diagnosed and can advise on parts. You will find it is a practical course of action for a bad thermostat, a tempering valve, minor electricals or a pressure relief valve that has seen better days. What matters is the state of the system as a whole.
When To Be Wary Of Repairs
You will see less value in a repair if the tank is showing its age with rust coloured water, corrosion or a string of call-outs. While one fix is fine, three in quick succession would have you comparing replacement options.
The mistake is to be swayed by the invoice in front of you. At $450 a repair looks like a bargain against $1,800 for a new one, but put that figure in perspective if another component goes next month or the old system is profligate with energy.
Run through this checklist of yours before you give the go ahead:
- Get an idea of the system’s capacity and age.
- Find out if the fault is in isolation or symptomatic of something more.
- Have the labour, parts and call-out fee quoted individually.
- What is the life expectancy of the component once it is repaired?
- Put the quote side by side with a like-for-like replacement.
Opt For Replacement As Risk Mounts
There comes a point where a Sydney hot water replacement is the way to go, be it because of an old unit, a leaking cylinder or the fact that repairs have become as welcome as an unwanted relative. It is also an opportunity to put in a system with lower running costs.
A heater is not written off by its age alone, a properly looked after one will outlast its planning horizon, but older models have their drawbacks in the way of insulation and controls.
More Than Just A Leaking Tank
A tank on the leak is the most obvious sign. If it is safe to do so, shut the water isolation valve and for an electric system the circuit too. Should water be getting near internal walls or power points, an emergency plumber is required.
And do not think the pressure relief valve is a long term answer to a leak. It is meant to release pressure but if it is dripping away you may have an installation issue, thermal expansion or a faulty valve. When the home has been through a change of some kind, be it an expanding family or a renovation, putting in a new hot water heater is something to put on the table. The present capacity may not be up to the task with a new bathroom or more laundry being done.
Compare Costs Before Committing
How much a hot water heater repair or replacement will run you in Sydney is a matter of what the fault is, the system and its capacity, any compliance work needed and how pressing the job is. Labour charges and arrival times can be higher for those in the service areas of the Central Coast or Newcastle.
One will not find a dependable average across Sydney since a full conversion from gas to heat pump is no comparison to changing out a thermostat. Take what is put forward online as a rough guide for planning purposes and have a written quote once the problem has been diagnosed.
| Situation | Likely Direction | Practical Cost Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Thermostat or heating element is at fault on an otherwise good electric unit | A repair is often in order | Typically less of an outlay than to replace, though one should check the age and warranty. |
| Pressure or tempering valve has given way | Repair is an option | Find out if a pressure or temperature issue was the cause. |
| Hot water tank is leaking or corroded | You would do well to replace | Factor in the cost of getting rid of the old one, delivery, installation and so on. |
| An old system prone to breaking down | Look at what is available to replace it | Put likely future repairs into the equation. |
| Urgent failure after hours | Short-term fix or a new unit | Expect the invoice to reflect emergency labour and same-day service. |
A Simple Cost Test
Say the quote for a like-for-like replacement comes to $1,000 and the repair is $600. At 60 per cent of the replacement figure the repair looks attractive but that is not the end of the story; it is worth looking into the remaining life of the unit and its energy use before deciding.
Then there are the extras: the heater itself, pipework, valves, roof access, permits, commissioning and the removal of the old apparatus. Make sure they are part of the deal, a headline price can get ugly when all is said and done.
For the installation engage a licensed plumber and, where there is electrical work to be done, a licensed electrician. NSW Fair Trading has guidance on plumbing and drainage licensing.
Match The System To Your Home
Do not assume the biggest or most economical model is the right one. Electricity tariff, your household’s size and habits, the roof, shading and room for installation are all relevant. A technician in Sydney will be able to make a practical assessment of the site and sizing.
Electric And Gas
The electric variety is common and easy enough to install, a good fit for a home without gas. Running costs will vary with the tariff and efficiency of the unit. With a gas system you get better recovery but must have the ventilation and flue in place. It is not something to put together after dinner like a piece of flat-pack furniture, qualified hands are needed.
Solar And Heat Pumps
Solar can cut down on electricity or gas bills provided the roof and space are amenable and demand allows for it. One would expect a booster to be part of the system for reliability given the odd cloudy spell in Sydney. A heat pump is efficient in that it moves heat rather than making it, but there is the matter of noise, ambient temperatures and the purchase price.
As for government rebates, the rules differ by state and technology. What is on offer in South Australia does not hold in Sydney, so look to current federal and NSW information before budgeting for a rebate.
If The System Fails
It is an inconvenience but some faults cannot be put off. Be wary of a leaking tank close to electrical gear, scalding water, smoke or a smell of gas. Should you detect gas, get to a safe spot and call the network or an emergency service. Water in the walls or ceiling? Isolate the supply if it is safe to do and get a professional.
In the absence of any danger, put the camera to use, note the model number and the isolation points. See if the rest of the house has power before writing off the heater.
And when you ring for a same day service in Sydney, give them the details: is it a gas, solar or electric unit, is there a leak, is it indoors or out, will they have to contend with a roof or a narrow path to get to it?
- Children should be kept from wet areas and where hot water is discharged.
- Under no circumstances touch any wiring that is in poor order or put a hand to a switch in standing water.
- And do not put a cap on, block or tape up a pressure relief valve.
- If parts for a replacement are not on hand, have a temporary plan put in place.
- For anything non-urgent, get the total price confirmed before work commences.
Planning Access in Sydney
The logistics of the service will have an impact on cost as well as timing. An apartment in North Sydney calls for building access, parking and a lift booking; a detached home in Wollongong might require an unobstructed side passage to take out the old tank. When you book for a property in Newcastle or the Central Coast, make sure the provider knows the suburb and what access is like. Even with a same-day promise, it is subject to the technician being free, the weather and traffic, whether there is stock and if the new unit will fit the present connections.
Before The Appointment
Put the pets away and make room around the unit. Have at hand the contact details for your strata or landlord and know where the water isolation valve, gas meter and electricity switchboard are. Should the system be behind a locked gate, see that access is sorted in advance of the technician’s arrival.
Disposal is something people often do not think about. Old tanks can be unwieldy and heavy, put in some tight corners. Make certain removal is part of the deal, particularly if it is on a balcony, up in the roof or has to come down a narrow flight of stairs.
In an emergency the priority is to put safe hot water back in operation. With a planned replacement one should take the time to look at the warranty, energy efficiency and capacity rather than going with the first cylinder on offer.
Specialist Advice
Any good hot water specialist in Sydney will put the fault in terms anyone can understand and point out safety issues, making the case for his recommendation on the basis of the system’s condition and age. One does not want to need a decoder ring for the quote.
Find out if the job is for a plumber, electrician or gasfitter. Check the licence, the warranty, the disposal and any electrical or gas upgrades that may be needed and when they expect to be there.
Service You Can Rely On
It is easier to compare a company that does both hot water system repair and installation in Sydney. A repair-only view might miss the value in a replacement, whereas the converse could be an expensive way to do a simple fix.
Then there is maintenance. Rust, odd noises, dripping for no reason, all should be noted and a professional called in if performance is off. It is better to deal with a minor matter early than to have a cupboard flooded at 6 am. Keep the vicinity of outdoor equipment clear.
As a writer with an eye for environmental science I consider waste as much as the bottom line. A failed tank may have to go but a serviceable system is not necessarily improved by a newer model. Look at the life cycle from manufacture to disposal. Do not be tempted to apply a southern state remedy to a Sydney home; the local conditions are more telling than a generic list, and Melbourne presents its own set of housing and weather variables.
FAQs
Replacing A Hot Water System: Plumber Or Electrician?
You will generally require a licensed plumber for the water and an electrician for the circuitry, with gas systems needing the right sort of licence. The quote should make clear which trades are involved.
Average Repair Cost For A Hot Water Heater
One cannot put a reliable average figure on it in Sydney. A job on a heating element or thermostat is not going to run to the same as an emergency or major control and pipework work. Have them break down the labour, call-out fee, GST and parts and put the total against the cost of a replacement.
Bunnings Installation Charges
Do not expect a single price from Bunnings for every Sydney home and system. Product, site access, compliance and the installer all play a part. Put in for a written quote for the site and see what is covered.
Government Rebates In South Australia
What is on offer in South Australia is not to be taken for granted in Sydney given the different programmes and eligibility in NSW. Before you count on a rebate, review the official conditions, the technologies in question and application deadlines.
To Repair Or Replace An Old Electric System?
If the tank is in order and the fault is contained, a reasonable quote makes for a repair. But if there is leakage or extensive corrosion or the failures are persistent, or you would be better served by a more efficient system, then replace it. Age is not the only consideration, it is the state of the unit.
A Matter Of Practicality
For most in Sydney deciding on a hot water heater, the sensible course is to put right an affordable, clear cut fault on a sound system and replace one that is a liability. Take the chance to weigh up solar, heat pump, gas and electric. Have a written quote with the total inclusive of compliance, access and removal and the licensed trades. There is no need to be hurried into a costly decision by a cold shower.
