TIPS TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR WATER HEATER AND SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
Servicing your water heater
Did you know that your water heater should be serviced every five years. If longer, your manufacturers warranty may be deemed void. Our qualified service technicians can undertake a full service of your hot water system in about 30 – 45 minutes. This is a small price to pay for peace of mind and hassle free hot water usage.
Importantly, your hot water heater should be serviced and repaired only by a fully qualified tradesperson. Don’t risk voiding the warranty of this expensive appliance.
The service of your hot water heater by a qualified technician will increase the life of the cylinder, which can save you money and inconvenience.
Book a water heater service – 0410 693 532 or complete our online enquiry form »
Hot water heater comparison
Do you ever find yourself frustrated by your hot water running out? Does it take too long for your current hot water heater to heat up again? Some systems heat up again very quickly, however, usually they are not very energy efficient and hundreds of dollars could be added to your energy bill could . It is possible to have a hot water system that ticks all the boxes of fast hot water recovery and being economical. More information comparing water heaters »
I don’t have hot water – checklist to help solve your problem
STEP 1 – Is the electricity turned on? Make sure the isolating switch (usually located on your electricity switchboard) is switched on. Then make sure the hot water switch, usually next to the isolating switch, is also on.
STEP 2 – Check that the fuse marked ‘water heater’ (or similar) has not blown and is OK.
STEP 3 – If your hot water heater has a power cord, check that it is plugged into the socket, and turned on at the power point.
STEP 4 – If your hot water heater has a timer attached, make sure it’s on and has been given enough time to heat up the water.
STEP 5 – Check that your energy tariff provides sufficient time to reheat your hot water tank to meet the hot water needs of your household.
STEP 6 – Monitor how much hot water your household uses, to make sure you are not exhausting your supply. Consult us about low flow tap valves and energy saving shower heads. You can also purchase a cheap waterproof timer or clock and install it in your shower to keep track of usage.
STEP 7 – Check the temperature relief valve on your water heater is not discharging too much water. Excessive amounts of water may be diminishing your hot water supply, normally only a small amount of water is discharged during the heating cycle.
STEP 8 – Speak to us about checking your hot water heaters thermostat setting to make sure it is correct for your household. It is important that the temperature is not so hot that it scolds.
Finding your hot water heater’s temperature relief valve.
All hot water heaters have a temperature relief valve. As water heats up, it expands and pressure is created. The relief valve’s role is to relieve any pressure that may build up by allowing it to escape, and thus protecting the tank.
View PDF diagram showing where to find your water tank relief valve »
It is normal for a small amount of water to discharge from the relief valve during the water heating cycle, however, if this amount fills a bucket within a 24 hour period, it may indicate that there is a problem with your system. We suggest you contact us to inspect your tank.
If there is a continuous dribble of water from your hot water tank (not just during the heating cycle), there may be a small particle of foreign material blocking the relief valve. To amend this, try gently easing the relief valve lever for a few seconds. This may dislodge the foreign material and clear the blockage. Then lower the lever gently. If the water continues to dribble, contact us for more troubleshooting advice.
In the case of a steady flow of water coming from your relief vale, it may be that the water mains pressure is rising above the pressure designed for your hot water tanks relief valve. This problem usually happens at night. If this is the case, contact us and we can install a pressure limiting valve. Note that the relief valve should never be replaced with one of a higher pressure rating.
A new hot water system is an investment for the future.
When replacing a hot water tank there are three important considerations:
- Quality
- Reliability
- Efficiency
We know all there is to know about hot water! It’s very important to us to ensure your new hot water system ticks all three boxes. With over 15 years experience, you can rest easy knowing you will have worry-free, trouble-free hot water for many years to come. We sell, install, repair and service the major hot water brands including Rheem, Solahart, Rinnai, Dux, Aquamax, Apricus, Vulcan, Bosch, Everhot, Conergy, Edwards Solar, and more…
Why you should switch to solar hot water
With Australia’s temperate climate and sunny weather, it’s an easy choice to harness the free energy source and heat your hot water. With solar energy you pay less than conventional electric/gas water heaters, and your are playing a role in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Solahart have been in a the solar hot water business for 60 years and we are authorised installers of their fantastic products. More information about switching to solar hot water »
Australian law states that the internal temperature of a hot water heater must be set at 70 degrees celsius. This temperature is hot enough to kill harmful bacteria and cool enough to prevent scolding.
We recommend that you call in an experienced tradesman to adjust your hot water thermostat as there is a risk of electrocution, and also the potential to damage your hot water heater and void your warranty.
A tempering valve will reduce the risk of hot water scalding
When your hot water heater has been set too high, there is a greater risk of a scalding accident. Our experienced tradesmen can install a tempering valve to the hot water pipe running to your bathroom(s) which will keep the hot water temperature coming out of the taps below 50 degrees celsius. This reduces the risk of scalding, but still allows the hotter water from the hot water system to flow to the kitchen and laundry.