Recognizing When It’s Time to Upgrade
Recognising the right time to upgrade your hot water heater is vital to prevent unexpected breakdowns and maintain peak efficiency. Key indicators that signal a need for an upgrade include:
- Inconsistent water temperatures - If you’re experiencing fluctuating hot water temperatures or reduced flow, your system may be failing.
- Leaks - Persistent leakage implies deterioration and pressure strain, signalling that your water heater’s life span might be nearing its end.
- Strange noises - Clanging, rumbling or bubbling noises can indicate it’s time to inspect internal components for issues.
- Age - Most systems have a life expectancy of 10-15 years, which, when reached, is a good time to explore new energy-efficient models.
Upgrading to an energy star-certified heat pump water or solar system can significantly cut down your energy bills, as water heating comprises over 20% of domestic energy use. As a leading plumbing service, Miranda Plumbing can guide you if a high-efficiency heat pump water heater upgrade is practical for your situation.
Age and Expected Lifespan
The typical lifespan of a hot water system ranges from 8 to 15 years. After 8-12 years of daily use under typical conditions, most systems start to develop problems affecting their performance and efficiency, Upgrading at this stage can help save on long-term costs. Factors that affect the lifespan include:
- Water Quality - Hard water can quickly degrade components, but a water softener can protect your heater from premature wear.
- Usage levels - A higher number of people in the household equates to greater wear and tear on your system.
- Maintenance - Consistent servicing extends the functional life of your water heater
- Type - Tankless systems tend to last 1-2 years longer than tanks
As systems surpass 10 years, Justifying an upgrade is easier when considering the enhanced efficiency and annual energy savings that modern technologies, such as heat pumps and solar water heaters, provide. Miranda Plumbing can provide tailored advice on your pump water heater’s expected lifespan and ideal replacement time.
Frequent Repairs Needed
Regularly needing repairs is a telltale sign to consider repairing or replacing your current water system. The cumulative costs of multiple repairs over a short period can often surpass the price to replace your hot water tank. Some common repairs that can impact your energy bill include:
- Replacing valves
- Fixing leaks
- The need to replace heating elements or thermostats frequently may indicate it’s time to contemplate a new system.
- Draining and flushing the tank
Although individual repairs may initially appear cost-effective, their cumulative cost over time can outweigh the expense of a full replacement. Upgrading to a heat pump hot water system can offer improved efficiency and the potential for reduced costs over time.
At Miranda Plumbing, we can assess if your repair costs justify investing in a new pump hot system. We consider your household usage levels, repair history, system efficiency and projected savings to make the right recommendation for your situation.
Inefficiency Causing High Energy Bills
An outdated or ageing system can cause a spike in heating costs due to increased inefficiencies. System inefficiencies increase as they age, often losing heat quickly and requiring more energy to heat water. Selecting a new energy-efficient water heater can prevent these inefficiencies, leading to lower energy consumption.
Traditional electric storage tank water heaters operate at merely 50-60% energy efficiency. Upgrading to an energy-efficient pump water heater can boost efficiency to 60-75%, significantly lowering power consumption. Heat pump hot water heaters harness heat from the ambient air, demonstrating their ability to efficiently heat air for water heating and save considerably on energy costs.
Signs your hot water system is inefficient include fluctuating water temperatures, constantly running/cycling, and high energy bills. We recommend reaching out to Miranda Plumbing to carry out your heat pump’s efficiency assessment. We can evaluate your homes existing water heater’s efficiency, advising whether an upgrade to a newer heat pump or solar model could improve performance and potentially save 20-30% on water heating costs.
Lack of Hot Water Capacity for Household
As your household grows over time, an older hot water system may no longer have the capacity to meet demand. Factors like adding family members or renovating with additional bathrooms can increase daily hot water usage beyond your existing system’s capabilities.
Warning signs of insufficient capacity include cold water during showers, unstable temperatures, and frequent system reheating. Upgrading to a larger unit designed for bigger households ensures no one misses out hot water availability.
When assessing upgrades for capacity, consider both the number of people in your home and sizing guidelines based on the number of bathrooms or hot water outlets.
Larger families may require a 300L+ hot water unit or multiple linked systems for sufficient flow. Contact our team at Miranda Plumbing today to discover how do you can match your household’s hot water requirements with the right system.
Comparing New System Options
When upgrading your hot water system, there are several energy efficient options to consider including:
- Heat pump systems - Extract heat from surrounding air to warm water. Very energy efficient using 60-75% less power than traditional electric heaters.
- Solar hot water - Roof panels harness heat from sunlight to warm water with backup electrical heating. Environmentally-friendly option.
- Tankless hot water - Heats water on demand instead of storing in a tank. Compact, unlimited hot water capacity. Lasts 1-2 years longer than tanks.
Factors like efficiency, capacity, environmental impact and lifespan cause some system types to be more endorsed, making a system more suitable for specific needs. When considering an upgrade, Miranda Plumbing can evaluate your household’s usage and size needs to identify the most practical, cost-effective water heating solution.
Replacing older heaters with newer energy-efficient hot water units can reduce energy bills by 20-30% over time. Contact our team to compare options suitable for your needs.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are one of the most energy-efficient hot water heaters available on the market. They work by extracting heat from ambient air and using this heat to pump water. This makes them very cost effective to run.
Your heat pump performs particularly well in the Australian climate, providing substantial energy savings compared to conventional electric water heating. By moving heat rather than generating it, heat pumps provide energy saving advantages as they use 60-75% less electricity, conserving money your energy costs would otherwise consume.
Additional advantages of electric gas hot water systems encompass:
- Lower energy bills - Reduced power consumption cuts costs
- Environmentally-friendly - Uses renewable thermal energy from the atmosphere, often being more efficient than conventional heating methods.
- Reliable hot water supply - Continuously harvest ambient heat
- Long lifespans - Last 1-2 years longer than tanks
- Quiet operation - Without combustion, these systems operate quietly
Miranda Plumbing are specialists who can ensure you select the right pump hot water system for your home’s needs, delivering substantial utility savings. Contact us to learn more or arrange an on-site assessment of your existing hot water system.
Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters are an environmentally-friendly option that harness heat from sunlight to warm water. They have solar collector panels mounted on the roof which absorb the sun’s thermal energy. This energy is then used to heat water stored in an insulated tank.
Benefits of solar hot water systems include:
- Reduce energy bills - Enjoy the benefit of free hot water heated using sunlight
- Lower greenhouse emissions - Solar power reduces reliance on fossil fuels
- Work well in Australia - Ideal climate to utilise abundant sunlight
- Eligible for government rebates - Rebates available in most states/territories
- Minimal maintenance required - Long lasting with few moving parts
Points to consider when opting for solar hot water:
- Higher upfront cost - More expensive to purchase and install vs standard systems
- Require sunlight - Performance reduces on cloudy/rainy days
- Need roof space - Solar collectors take up space on your roof
- Combining solar PV electricity could augment benefits, enhancing overall efficiency
Contact the team at Miranda Plumbing if you’re interested in upgrading to an energy efficient solar hot water system. We offer complimentary site inspections to help you find out the suitability for your home.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless or continuous flow water heaters provide hot water on demand without needing to store water in a tank. They heat water as it passes through a heating element or heat exchanger. This makes them compact while allowing unlimited hot water capacity.
Benefits of tankless water heaters include:
- Small, space saving design
- Unlimited hot water - continuous supply meets demand
- Energy efficient - heats water strictly on-demand
- Long lifespan - last 1-2 years longer than tanks
Considerations include:
- Higher upfront cost
- May need multiple units for larger homes
- Flow rate limitations based on heating element size
Tankless heaters suit smaller households with 1 or 2 bathrooms. Get in touch with Miranda Plumbing to determine if a tankless system meets your hot water needs.
Installation and Replacement Process
Upgrading your hot water system is a major home improvement that requires proper installation by licenced professionals. Here is an overview of what to expect during the replacement process with Miranda Plumbing:
- Site Inspection - We’ll visit your home to size your water heating system, evaluate installation considerations, and provide a detailed quote.
- Permit Approval - For new gas or electric systems, permits ensure adherence to regulations.
- Removal & Disposal - We’ll safely drain and remove your old water heater, providing a hassle-free installation of your new system.
- New Unit Installation - After securing all fittings, pipes and valves, we’ll install your new energy efficient hot water tank.
- Connections & Testing - Following standards, we’ll connect gas or electricity plus all plumbing to perform pressure tests.
- Commissioning - We’ll activate then adjust your system settings to optimise performance.
Our expertise as hot water specialists guarantees a seamless upgrade of your water service from beginning to end. We can advise which new hot water service suits your household’s needs while ensuring safe, compliant installation for reliable operation.
Sizing the System Properly
Selecting an appropriately sized hot water system is fundamental for achieving energy efficiency. An undersized unit will struggle to meet demand while an oversized system wastes energy heating excess water.
When sizing your water heater, consider:
- Number of occupants
- Number of bathrooms/ensuites
- Peak usage times
- Flow rate of outlets (taps, showers etc)
As a general rule of thumb for storage tanks:
- 2-3 people = 125L to 250L capacity
- 4+ people = 250L+ capacity
Households with several bathrooms might require a larger system or a combination of units for simultaneous hot water supply.
The team at Miranda Plumbing can assess your right hot water requirements and recommend the appropriately sized system which is most practical and efficient long-term.
Hiring a Licensed Professional
The installation or replacement of a hot water system demands proficiency for ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and optimal performance. As specialists, Miranda Plumbing’s licenced professionals handle the entire upgrade process seamlessly - from inspecting your existing system to installing your new energy-efficient model to testing and commissioning.
Our team determines which water upgrade best suits your household’s hot water requirements. We obtain necessary permits, remove old heaters for proper disposal, install new components to industry standards, and activate the upgraded system. With years of experience, you can trust our licenced plumbers to upgrade the hot water your household uses correctly and efficiently.
Taking Advantage of Rebates
Upgrading to a more energy efficient hot water system may make you eligible for government rebates or incentives. Programmes are available federally and from most states to encourage uptake of renewable and low emissions water heating solutions.
You can take advantage of key rebates, which currently include:
- Federal government - May offer up to $1000 rebate for installing a solar hot water system or heat pump.
- State government schemes - Some states provide up to $500 rebate on heat pumps or discounted solar installations.
- Energy providers - Check if your provider has special deals for installing approved systems.
The amount of rebate often varies based on the efficiency rating and heating method used. We advise researching the latest eligibility criteria and application process for available subsidies in your area before upgrading.
The team at Miranda Plumbing stay up to date on all programmes available and can guide you through maximising incentives or rebates when you install your new system with us. Every bit saved on installation costs through subsidies allows for a faster return on investment as you lower ongoing energy bills.
Maintenance for Optimal Performance
Regular maintenance is crucial to enhance the lifespan and optimal performance of your new hot water system. Simple tasks you can do yourself include:
- Draining a couple of litres from the pressure relief valve biannually to clear sediment
- Visually checking pipes and valves for leaks annually
We also recommend professional servicing every 1-2 years which involves a thorough inspection including checking the anode rod and overall tune-up. Our licenced technicians at Miranda Plumbing can install and maintain heat pump solar options during preventative repairs to avoid breakdowns.
Consider installing a water treatment system if you have hard water, as mineral buildup reduces system efficiency over time. Upgrade to more efficient tapware and fittings when renovating to optimise water savings.
Schedule your annual maintenance checks with Miranda Plumbing to prevent issues and maintain your hot water system’s peak performance. Investing in regular servicing is the best way to safeguard performance and longevity.