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Best Hot Water Systems
Nothing can sour your day quite like a shower turning cold, which is why you want a reliable hot water system that’s suited to your household. We go through what to consider when looking for a water heater, including your water use, energy efficiency, costs, and more. Continue reading...
Solahart Streamline Split System
· includes 3 listingsLatest review: We've had our Solarhart split system solar hot water installed for around 1 year now, so have been able to compare bills to previous years. We switched from a gas hot water system (with solar PV on
- Build Quality1.7 (3)
- Value for Money1.0 (3)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 1.7 (3)
- Noise Level5.0 (1)
- Temperature Consistency1.0 (1)
- Heating Speed2.0 (1)
Rinnai Sunmaster Range
· includes 3 listingsLatest review: We moved into our house in May 2020 and already had Rinnai come and attend as the controller said "Pump failure" in August. they attended and switched the unit off and on again at the wall resetting
- Build Quality1.3 (15)
- Value for Money1.5 (15)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 2.3 (13)
- Noise Level2.9 (13)
- Temperature Consistency2.9 (12)
- Heating Speed3.2 (12)
Rheem Metro
· includes 6 listingsLatest review: Long story short, this unit (or I assume any other Rheem system) cannot go the distance and Rheem won't own its weaknesses. Plus, Rheem refused to touch our unit when it did break, even though we
- Build Quality2.8 (9)
- Value for Money3.1 (9)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.2 (6)
- Noise Level4.0 (7)
- Temperature Consistency4.2 (6)
- Heating Speed3.3 (6)
AquaMAX G340SS
Latest review: I recently replaced an old Aquamax Stainless Steel gas hot water system with a new Aquamax G340SS. It is essentially the same as the old unit with the same footprint, but just a newer model. No
- Build Quality5.0 (1)
- Value for Money4.0 (1)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 5.0 (1)
- Noise Level5.0 (1)
Wilson SuperX
Latest review: Use to be a good product but fault at about end of warranty 2 years .2nd one now and repair guy glen turns water flow down when one element fails (which works) but is ruff as guts and dangerous when
- Build Quality1.5 (10)
- Value for Money1.5 (10)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 1.8 (9)
- Noise Level2.6 (10)
- Temperature Consistency2.7 (10)
- Heating Speed2.9 (10)
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Rheem Heat Pump MPi Series 2
· includes 8 listingsLatest review: Rheem air pump advertised as IF air pump fails then element will kick in automatically ensuring no stop in hotter supply. our pump failed and no hot water. had to pay over $300 for technician to
- Build Quality1.2 (18)
- Value for Money1.4 (19)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 1.8 (15)
- Noise Level2.6 (18)
- Temperature Consistency3.1 (15)
- Heating Speed2.9 (15)
Dux Airoheat
· includes 4 listingsLatest review: We bought a house in Marysville, Vic. Our hot water grew cold. Called the service number on the unit -- 'for fast and efficient service'. Was given a number to call -- called and was told to my
- Build Quality2.2 (15)
- Value for Money1.9 (15)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 2.7 (13)
- Noise Level2.5 (17)
- Temperature Consistency3.4 (15)
- Heating Speed3.3 (13)
Rinnai HOTFLO
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: This rinnai unit has failed 4 times from within the first 30 days it has been installed! Every time some part or the other has failed, causing the whole unit to shut down, this happened 4 times! No
- Build Quality2.2 (11)
- Value for Money2.3 (11)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 2.5 (8)
- Noise Level4.3 (6)
- Temperature Consistency2.6 (12)
- Heating Speed2.6 (11)
Rheem Solar Hiline
· includes 3 listingsLatest review: Thanks to the efficient Rheem team I have just had my third heater installed. Gratis. I was assured that this new enamel model surpasses the others. The problem seemed to be with the tanks coming
Rinnai Prestige Range
· includes 3 listingsLatest review: We recently purchased a Rinnai Gas Boosted Prestige System with 30 Evacuated Tubes and couldn’t be happier with its performance especially after a big reduction on our gas bills and it just never r
- Build Quality3.0 (2)
- Value for Money3.0 (2)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 1.0 (1)
- Noise Level5.0 (2)
- Temperature Consistency4.5 (2)
- Heating Speed3.7 (3)
Stiebel Eltron SimpleX Instantaneous 3 Phase
Latest review: Removed the flow restrictor from the showerhead and it worked well for almost 4 years. Now it's only running lukewarm water. Stiebel confirmed the unit is out of warranty and discontinued and pointed
- Build Quality1.5 (4)
- Value for Money1.5 (4)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 1.5 (2)
- Noise Level2.7 (3)
- Temperature Consistency1.7 (3)
- Heating Speed4.0 (3)
Rheem Solar Loline (Electric Boost)
· includes 7 listingsLatest review: Greatest failure , if you like to give money regularly please feel free to buy RHEEM Poor service , extreme noise and always out of order, so choice is yours , think before you
- Build Quality1.0 (4)
- Value for Money1.0 (3)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 1.5 (4)
- Noise Level3.5 (4)
- Temperature Consistency2.0 (4)
- Heating Speed2.0 (4)
Chromagen 300L Solar Boost
Latest review: Installed a 300L solar storage unit as part of a new build in 2017. Replaced the storage tank sensor twice, but the system continues to spit super-heated hot water down the drain. After 4.5 years,
- Build Quality1.5 (12)
- Value for Money1.5 (13)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 1.9 (10)
- Noise Level2.8 (9)
- Temperature Consistency2.2 (11)
- Heating Speed2.2 (11)
Bosch Optiflow Professional
· includes 3 listingsLatest review: This was the hot water system provided by the builder. Continual problems since new. Early on it kept failing. Service tech had to come out several times with temporary fixes but problems kept
- Build Quality1.6 (32)
- Value for Money1.3 (32)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 1.8 (29)
- Noise Level2.0 (31)
- Temperature Consistency2.1 (36)
- Heating Speed1.8 (36)
Solargain 315L 2 Panel Split System with Electric Booster
Latest review: We accepted a quote from Solargain to supply and fit a 315L split system a week ago, replacing a 10 year old similar Chromagen system which was failing. Solargain were very easy to deal with - Matt
- Build Quality5.0 (1)
- Value for Money5.0 (1)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 5.0 (1)
- Noise Level5.0 (1)
- Temperature Consistency5.0 (1)
- Heating Speed5.0 (1)
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Stiebel Eltron DHF Instantaneous 3 Phase
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: After installation of Stiebel Eltron DHF13, had to remove kitchen tap diffusers to enable water to run hot enough. The IHW unit can't manage to provide even temperature of water for shower - too hot
Rheem Solar Collectors S200
Latest review: I have had this Rheem Solar hot water system for about 4 years now. The temperature in Western Sydney has gone down to around zero degrees overnight and one of the panels has started leaking again.
- Build Quality1.0 (1)
- Value for Money1.0 (1)
Chromagen 200L Gas Boosted
Latest review: I built a new home just over 5 years ago and I optioned it up with a Chromogen Hot water system. We noticed after 12 months from the build it was leaking water - we thought nothing of it as we have
- Build Quality1.2 (5)
- Value for Money1.0 (5)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 1.5 (4)
- Noise Level2.5 (4)
- Temperature Consistency2.5 (4)
- Heating Speed2.5 (4)
Rheem Solar Premier
· includes 6 listingsLatest review: Had a solahart system on my roof for 34 years. changed on recommendation to Rheem. Has been on the roof for less than 5 years and having problems already. Not
- Build Quality1.5 (4)
- Value for Money1.0 (4)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 1.0 (2)
- Noise Level4.0 (1)
- Temperature Consistency1.4 (5)
- Heating Speed2.0 (4)
Thermann C7 Continuous Flow
Latest review: Constant change in temperature when in shower or doing dishes. At night a buzzing flicking noise can be heard constantly. 2 months old and already problems. Wouldn't recommend to anyone, unless they
Price (RRP) $1,542.12
- Build Quality2.3 (6)
- Value for Money2.3 (6)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 2.2 (6)
- Noise Level2.5 (6)
- Temperature Consistency2.0 (6)
- Heating Speed2.3 (6)
- TypeContinuous
- Max Water Pressure1,200 kPa
- Min Water Pressure115 kPa
- Dimensions 573 x 366 x 205 mm
Types of hot water systems
Heating water for use in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry uses over a quarter of the average household’s energy, which is why it’s important to carefully consider what kind of hot water system is right for you.
You’ll have to first decide what kind of heating method you want to use for your hot water system: gas, electric, solar, or heat pump.
Gas hot water systems · See All
Gas is quite an efficient energy source, so it can be a good option if you have a natural gas connection. Natural gas is significantly cheaper than LPG.
These systems are usually installed outdoors because they need adequate ventilation, but they can be installed indoors with a flue.
Pros
Cons
Electric hot water systems · See All
Electric water heating is relatively cheap to buy and install, but ongoing costs can be expensive. However, if your meter includes off-peak rates, then this should be cheaper.
Pros
Cons
Solar hot water systems · See All
A solar hot water system needs to be installed in a sunny spot for it to be efficient. This means that they do tend to work better in certain parts of Australia, particularly Queensland and the Northern Territory. You might even want to buy a larger tank for days with less sun or when you want to use more hot water.
Most of these systems will still have either a gas or electric booster to ensure that hot water is always available, regardless of the climate.
Pros
Cons
Heat pump hot water systems
Heat pump systems use electricity to transfer heat from one place to another rather than directly generating heat. These units need to be installed in a place with good ventilation, generally outdoors. Heat pump models can save you up to 80% on the cost of hot water compared to an electric storage system.
Pros
Cons
Storage vs instantaneous hot water systems
A hot water system can be either an instant system or a storage tank system.
Instant systems
Also called continuous hot water systems, these only heat water when they're needed. They aren’t actually instant, but they usually just take a few seconds before you get hot water. Most models use gas, but you can still find electric models, which are typically only designed to heat water for a single water outlet.
A continuous flow system can be more suited to smaller households, as they’re cheaper to run and more practical than having a storage tank.
f you’re considering an instant hot water system, then you should consider its flow rate. You should opt for a higher flow rate if you have many water outlets in your home. A general rule of thumb is to get a flow rate of around 22 to 24L per minute for a house with two bathrooms.
Storage tank systems
These store a certain amount of heated water that can then be used throughout the day. Most gas, electric, solar, and heat pump systems use a tank.
They’re generally more cost-effective and so can be suited to households that use a lot of hot water; you just need to ensure you get a large enough tank to ensure the last in line for a shower isn’t left in the lurch mid-rinse.
If you have off-peak electricity available to your home, then these systems can take advantage of these cheaper tariffs.
These tanks are insulated, but it’s still a good idea to install them in an insulated or sunny place to minimise heat loss.
What to consider when choosing a hot water system
There are a few other things you should consider when shopping around.
Your household size and energy use
Understanding the hot water needs of your household is key to getting the right hot water system. An undersized system means that someone will probably miss out on a hot shower, while a system that’s too large will mean you’re paying for something that you’re not fully using.
The average Australian uses around 40 to 50L of hot water per day - more if you take long hot showers or often use hot water to wash clothes.
Here’s a rough size guide for water heaters, but you should also consult the manufacturer of a hot water system you’re considering buying as well as seek advice from an installer.
For storage tank systems, consider the number of people in your household:
- A 1-2 person household could be fine with a small storage tank of around 90L.
- A 4-person household will need around 135-170L.
- Households of 5 people or more may find it more economical to find a large tank of between 200-300L than install multiple continuous systems.
For continuous hot water systems, consider the number of hot water outlets in your home and peak usage:
- A 2-bathroom household will need 22-24L/min flow rate.
- If you expect 2 people to be showering at the same time, you need at least a flow rate of 14L/min.
- There’s also the option to install multiple systems and have them in different parts of your home.
Energy efficiency
The most efficient type of hot water systems are heat pump and solar water heating systems.
If you’re shopping for an electric storage system, a gas storage system, or an instant gas hot water system, look for Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). You may see energy efficiency ratings on gas systems, but these aren’t government regulated.
Price
Excluding installation, prepare to pay the following upfront:
- Gas hot water systems often cost between $900 and $2000.
- Electric hot water systems usually cost somewhere between $500 and $2000.
- Solar hot water system prices can vary a lot, but usually cost between $4000 and $8000.
- Heat pump models range from $2000 to $4000.
Hot water system installation costs vary a lot depending on the job and system you opt for. If you’re switching out your current hot water system with one of the same capacity and in the same location, installation typically ranges from $300 to $700. If you’re moving the system to another location, then you may have to pay between $1100 and $2500 depending on what kind of plumbing and electrical work is required.
You should also check for warranties. While these vary, most hot water systems should come with a warranty of at least 7 years - the longer the warranty, the more the manufacturer backs the quality.
Look for government rebates and incentives
There are a range of incentives offered by the federal and state governments - such as the federal government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme - for households to switch to energy-efficient hot water systems, particularly solar and heat pump systems.
A hot water system installer may also be able to tell you of rebates that are available to those living in your area.