Choosing the right hot water system for you home can be the difference between delivering a consistent flow of continual hot water when you need it or running out halfway through a shower.
Hot water is essential for any home or business, whether it be delivering hot water to multiple showers in a change room or supplying hot water to an office kitchenette, choosing the correct hot water system can be a mind field. The variety of hot water systems available on the market and the variations associated with the cost of installing each of these units makes the decision process on which is the best hot water system for your needs even more difficult, that’s why we are here to help.
5 Key factors that will impact the cost of a hot water system installation
There are 6 important factors to consider when purchasing a new hot water system and all 5 will affect the cost of a hot water system installation in Melbourne, they are:
- Household Demand, that is how much hot water do you need at any given time on any given day, and what is your peak demand?
- Type of Energy available to heat your hot water, Gas, Electric or Solar, heat pump
- Size and type of hot water system, storage or continual flow (instantaneous)
- Installation Costs
- Government rebates
Let’s dig deeper into these 5 factors and we’ll give you an example of the basic costs associated with purchasing and installing a hot water system in Melbourne.
1) Household Demand
In other words, how much hot water do you need in peak demand and for how long?
You don’t want your hot water system to be too big or it will be inefficient, you will be paying too much to heat hot water you don’t need, but you don’t want it to be too small either or you’ll run out of hot water. If you’re not sure this is a calculation best left to the experts as getting it wrong will cost you money.
Your expert team of hot water professionals at Essendon Plumbing Services are here to help you with determining your family’s household demand. Before deciding on a new hot water system contact us and find out for FREE from an expert hot water plumber what your household hot water needs are.
2) Type of Energy Available
Factor number 2 available energy, this will play a big part in choosing the correct hot water system for your home or business.
Hot water systems generate their energy to heat water from 4 main sources, gas, electricity, solar or heat pump. They can also use a combination of solar with gas boost or solar with electric boost.
3) Size and Type of Hot Water System
The size and type of hot water system will also be a factor in determining the purchasing cost.
Gas, Electric and Heat Pump storage systems are manufactured with various size storage cylinders and continual flow heaters with various size heat exchangers. Solar systems come with either a gas or electric style boost, there are also a variety of energy efficiency levels for each type of unit.
Below is an example only of a price range for each type of heater. Please contact Essendon Plumbing Services, your expert hot water plumber, for a FREE fixed price measure and quote before choosing your hot water system.
- Gas Storage $800 to $1900
- Gas Continual Flow $750 to $1800
- Electric Storage $350 to $1900
- Heat Pump $3300 to $4500
- Solar $2500 to $7500
4) Installation Cost Examples
Below is a guide to the Installation cost of a hot water system. Varying factors such as the location of the unit and materials will all impact the final price of a hot water system installation in Melbourne. All hot water system installations in Victoria require a Victorian Building Authority (VBA) Plumbing Certificate of Compliance to be issued on completion of the installation which only a licensed plumber can issue.
Like for Like
The cheapest of installation costs will be an existing hot water system being replaced with the same type of unit in the same location - Approximately $600-$800
Storage to Continual Flow
Changing your gas hot water storage system to a continual flow hot water system will be more expensive to install. The reason being that the gas consumption of a continual flow hot water system is far greater than a storage hot water heater meaning the gas pipe supplying the hot water system will need to be upsized. An external power point will also need to be installed by a licensed electrician. Approximately - $1100 to $2500
Internal Electric Storage to External Gas Storage
Changing from an electric hot water system to a gas hot water system also has additional costs associated with the install. The power will need to be disconnected from the hot water system and the circuit removed from the switchboard by a licensed electrician. A new gas line with then needs to be installed from the existing as meter or gas fitting line within the property. Approximately - $1600 to $3000
Changing of Location
How far from the existing location the new hot water heater is being installed and what services (gas, electricity and water) need to be relocated will determine the cost or relocation. Approximately - $1000 to $2100
In all the above examples time is a major contributor to the installation cost of a new hot water system. Installation time will vary from 2-3 hrs for 1 plumber for a like for like change over to a full day for 2 plumbers on a more complex installation.
5) Rebates
Local, state and Federal Governments at various stages provide incentives to purchase efficient hot water systems via rebates and incentives.
When to Call an Expert Hot Water Licensed Plumber
Contacting a hot water plumbing professional to get expert advice on the best hot water system to suit your needs and budget is always recommended before purchasing any new hot water system. Essendon Plumbing Services provides FREE independent advice and fixed price quotations on all hot water system installations.
If you require an expert plumber in Melbourne then call Essendon Plumbing Services, 24/7- 365 days of the year, we look forward to hearing from you. Click on our pricing page to see a full list of our fees and charges.
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19 Catalina Drive Tullamarine VIC 3043
03 9335 4755
info@essendonplumbingservices.com.au
