I am after a natural gas heater to combat the Victorian winter (so must be Victorian compliant). I need to heat around 30sqm and also needs to be delivered as I am in the country. I've been told the Rinnai and Bosch's are the best to go for.
Edit - any cheaper than this one around? There will be $50 for delivery
http://www.appliancesonline.com.au/rinnai-natural-gas-heater…
Thanks in advance
Hi mskeggs
I am on town gas and according to the park manageer/owner where I live gas is charged at 83c per cubic metre and power is 62c per kw hour. He reckons gas heating costs only about 1/8th of heating via power.
Just got my power cost for last month. $89.59 for power and $19.92 for gas.
Wow. 62c pkWh is very expensive, but I guess you have little control over the rate.
The energy in 1m3 of gas is about 38Mj. 3.6Mj is about 1kWh. So gas costs you about 8c per kWh equivalent. Your park manager was right.
I'm not in VIC, but judging from the compliance text on your link:
- do you have an existing gas bayonet? I am guessing yes. In that case, I think you are replacing an existing gas heater (that you just haven't had since the last person moved out) and would not need a flued model.
- if you need a bayonet installed, then you probably will have to get a flued heater as I expect the gasfitter will have compliance paperwork.
If it were me, I would buy a cheap unflued heater off ebay/gumtree and take it to the local gas fitter for a service/inspection. They will ensure it is in safe operating condition and you will potentially save hundreds.
Unfortunately there is no existing gas bayonet so I will have to go down the flued route due to compliance as you mentioned.
The best price for what I need I can find so far is the following. Delivery will be $64 making it $1242.
http://www.gstore.com.au/rinnai-energysaver-k309ft-incl-flue…
It might be worth talking to the local gas fitter. They might be able to give you a better deal on the unit & installation bundled than you would get separately.
To be honest, your best bet is to for current/late-model second hand ones on eBay. Unfortunately you're in the wrong season to get a really good deal.
I managed to pick up a 3yo Rinnai Avenger 25 for $180 over the summer just gone.
Absolutely fantastic unit, highly recommended.
The problem being that gas heaters with a flue are much less common for sale 2nd hand.
And the new laws in VIC mean mareem needs to install a flued heater
Ended up purchasing a Rinnai 309FT gas heater from Harvey Norman. Got a bit of a discount after getting them to match an online price.
Note: just found out that there are good rebates on the table at the moment. Retailer said nothing and my installer said nothing about it till I mentioned it. I will get $250 rebate for my purchase. :-)
Have you looked at operating costs with the forthcoming gas price rises? Assuming you are on town gas not bottled (the economics of bottled are even worse).
Where I am, the price rises are making a reverse cycle air-con and solar panels a more effective bet.