Hot water system advice

cloudy on 12/09/2020 - 16:22

So my gas storage hot water system just died.

We’re a small household doesn’t use much hot water, basically other than one shower in the morning and one at night we don’t really need hot water.

I’m thinking of instant electric hot water system and instant gas hot water system.

Any advice between choosing between the two? If I went electric I’d consider cutting gas off completely by replacing my old gas stovetop with a electric one too. But not sure if there’s any considerations about having an electric continuous flow system.

I’m not considering another storage system as I assume it’ll cost more in the long run?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • thatonethere on 12/09/2020 - 16:38
    +1

    You may need 3 phase electricity for it - so factor that into the up front costs. If you have solar that would lean towards all electric house (and you probably have 3 phase then too)

    I wouldn't get a storage system for a tiny household.

    • cloudy on 12/09/2020 - 18:56

      We have solar panels, but unsure if we have 3 phase. We really don’t use much hot water as our washing machine doesn’t use it and we have no dish washer.

      So that’s why I’m leaning towards all electric household as you mention

      • timthetoolman on 12/09/2020 - 20:13

        If you've got solar and you're contemplating it go for it. Ditch the gas all together and save the daily charge. Get your hot water on a timer so it heats during solar hours and you can still manually override it

      • Euphemistic on 14/09/2020 - 14:08
        -1

        Do you wash up by boiling the kettle?

        (Most dishwashers use cold water and heat it internally)

        • cloudy on 14/09/2020 - 20:00

          We don’t have a dishwasher at our house. Sometimes I do just boil the kettle, if it’s sunny ( we eat early coz of the toddler). Or sometimes I have hot water brewing away in the rice cooker as it uses the solar panels more evenly.

  • yogihogi on 12/09/2020 - 16:43

    Small heat pump hot water system?

  • Quantumcat on 12/09/2020 - 16:50

    If you have extra roof space you could get a solar hot water system

  • brokenglish on 12/09/2020 - 18:52

    Instant hot water is expensive asf even if it’s only for shower twice a day

    • cloudy on 12/09/2020 - 18:57

      How do you work that out? I’d assume if I only pay for power for the hot water I use instead of hot water sitting hot all day long would be cheaper.

      • brokenglish on 12/09/2020 - 19:33
        +2

        The amount of electricity needed to heat water is fkn enormous. It normally requires a 3 phase socket to draw the V.
        One of the places I rented before had instant hot water (tankless). Never again.
        If I recall correctly, my 10 minute shower used between 1-2 kWh. Sometimes I just wanted to sing longer so it could get up to 5 kWh. PER SHOWER!
        I was going to give you some calculation but this is a better estimate:
        https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/you-and-your-home/save…

        Stick with gas if you can. Solar even better if you own the house.

  • NumberEight on 12/09/2020 - 19:08

    I got a quote for this exact thing this week, lucky for me my gas storage water heater isn’t broken yet!

    The cost of replacement was quoted at ~$4k, which includes removal, new 26L/min Rinnai unit, new gas line to the unit (as they require a higher flow from a thicker line), re-piping in other gas appliances and water, and also a GPO for the electricity (as it uses both Gas and water).

    I was surprised with the price, but I guess it’s a full days work for at least 2 people, and inclusive of materials.

  • AuzzieGumtree on 12/09/2020 - 19:37

    Just went through the hot water debacle. Ended up with a heat pump, hydrotherm unit. So far so good it doesnt cost anything to run as i use it on a timer when the suns out and solar covers the running costs. It uses 800 watts per hour for upto 4 kw of heat. It takes 2 to 3 hours to heat up and you can hear the fan outside so don't put it neat a bedroom. 6 year warranty on unit plus you get $1100 in stc rebate. I'm in Melbourne.

    You can plug the unit in via 10 amp plug. And it looks like a stainless dalek. 4 hours to fit the unit.

    Fyi we are a family of 7 teenagers and adults….

    • JimB on 12/09/2020 - 21:00

      Did you get additional rebates because you previously had electric hot water.?

      What was the overall cost after rebates?

      • AuzzieGumtree on 13/09/2020 - 01:18

        $2400 after rebates. I didn't get the additional rebate as it was replacing an old solar unit. Quote for gas was over double plus a lot more expensive to run due to solar panels.

  • ryan1jz on 12/09/2020 - 21:05
    +1

    I just replaced an 11 year old solar hot water system with a gas Rinnai infiniti 26 and couldn't be happier. My old unit was very close to being on the way out, water wasn't very hot and didn't last long, water pressure was horrible too. Now I have piping hot water that doesn't run out and fantastic water pressure. I probably paid too much but I rang the first local plumber and said I want it installed asap. $2k for the unit, disconnection of the old tank and booster including removal, and then installation of the new unit.

  • JimB on 12/09/2020 - 21:07

    If your existing hot water is near your gas meter and you have a powerpoint near by, it may be cost effective long term to get an instant hot water unit. I'd recommend Rinnai.

    Due to the cost of running new gas pipes, the cheapest solution is to simply replace it with another gas storage tank.

    The daily running costs of gas storage isn't that much.

    Do you also have gas heating?

    • cloudy on 12/09/2020 - 21:16

      We don’t really heat, kinda just hack it in winter and occasional electric heater in our room.

      But yea, the current unit has no PowerPoint nearby, so I can see a bit of a job converting it to electric, so I’m undecided if it’s worthwhile converting to pure electric household.

      • JimB on 12/09/2020 - 21:27

        You also need a powerpoint for Instantaneous units.

        Personally, I'd just replace it with another Storage Unit unless you can a Rinnai instant gas unit and power point for less than $500 more.

        If going Storage, I'd recommend Aquamax Stainless Steel. Brilliant units.

        I've had Bosch and Rinnai Instantaneous and I think the Rinnai is better at low flow warm water.

        i.e. the Bosch seems to kick in and out if you just want a trickle of warm water.

  • AncientWisdom on 14/09/2020 - 12:23

    Heat Pump (on a timer) + Solar is the ultimate solution.

  • cloudy on 14/09/2020 - 20:03

    Thanks guys, good advice as always and seems like I can’t get any better than the status quo.

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