Hot water questions, answered

Our hot water installs start from $1,700, supply and install, with a fixed price confirmed before work starts. See our cost guide.

Celsius Hot Water services the whole Sunshine Coast, from Pelican Waters and Caloundra in the south to Noosa Heads, Tewantin and Cooroy in the north, and inland through the hinterland to Maleny, Montville, Kenilworth and the Glass House Mountains.

We repair, replace and install electric storage, gas storage, gas and electric continuous flow, heat pump and solar hot water systems from all the major brands.

Yes. We answer calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and public holidays, for no hot water, leaking tanks and other urgent hot water problems.

In most cases, yes. We keep common electric, gas and heat pump systems available so a failed system can usually be replaced on the day you call.

Electric and gas storage tanks typically last 8 to 12 years, heat pumps 10 to 15 years, and gas continuous flow and solar systems around 15 to 20 years. Servicing the relief valve and anode helps a system last longer. See how long hot water systems last.

For most homes a heat pump is the best value over time because the mild climate lets it run efficiently, especially with rooftop solar. Gas continuous flow suits large families on gas, and electric storage is the lowest upfront cost for a straight swap.

No. There's no call-out fee. We quote a fixed price for the job before any work starts, so the price you agree to is the price you pay.

Yes. Celsius Hot Water is a QBCC licensed plumbing business, licence number 15556725, and every installation is lodged with the QBCC as required in Queensland.

Water is stored at 60°C or more to stop Legionella bacteria growing in the tank. A tempering valve then mixes it down to no more than 50°C at bathroom taps, which is the Queensland requirement to reduce the risk of scalding.

No. There's no travel surcharge anywhere in our service area, from Pelican Waters and Caloundra to Noosa and the hinterland, and no call-out fee. The fixed price we quote is the price you pay.

Yes. Every installation comes with a lifetime workmanship warranty on our workmanship, on top of the manufacturer's warranty on the system.

A constant drip from the overflow pipe usually means the relief valve is worn or the water pressure is too high. It's normally a repair, not a replacement.

Common causes are a failed element or thermostat, a faulty tempering valve, a heat pump fault, or a continuous flow unit that's too small for the demand.

Most repairs, such as replacing an element, thermostat, relief valve or thermocouple, take one to two hours once we're on site. Some heat pump and continuous flow parts need to be ordered, which can add a day or two.

A small amount of water during each heating cycle can be normal on some systems. A constant drip or steady flow is not normal and usually means the valve is worn or the water pressure is too high.

We repair all the major brands sold in Australia. For older or discontinued models we check parts availability before quoting, so you're not paying for a repair that can't be finished.

A like-for-like replacement usually takes two to four hours. Changing to a different type of system, such as electric to heat pump or gas, can take longer if new gas or plumbing connections are needed, or if a licensed electrician needs to run new power.

Yes. In Queensland, hot water delivered to bathrooms must be no hotter than 50°C, so a tempering valve is fitted with new and replacement systems where required.

Yes. We remove and dispose of the old system as part of the job.

Most electric storage tanks last around 8 to 12 years. Regular relief valve checks and an anode replacement around the five-year mark can help a tank reach the upper end of that range.

A tripping safety switch often points to a failed element that is leaking current to earth. Don't keep resetting it. Turn the hot water isolator off and call a licensed plumber or electrician.

Yes. A replacement electric storage tank can be connected to the same off-peak circuit. If you switch to a heat pump, we'll check that the model you choose suits your tariff.

The most common cause is a worn thermocouple, which is a fairly cheap part. Other causes include a faulty gas valve, a dirty pilot assembly or strong wind blowing the flame out on an outdoor unit.

Some models can be converted with a kit from the manufacturer, and others can't. We check your model and give you the options before any work starts.

Gas storage tanks typically last 8 to 12 years, similar to electric tanks. Continuous flow gas units usually last longer because they don't store water.

The unit is probably too small for the flow you're asking of it, or the gas supply isn't large enough to keep up. A larger unit or a gas supply upgrade usually fixes it.

With normal use, gas continuous flow units commonly last 15 to 20 years because they don't store water in a tank that can corrode.

Around 20 litres per minute suits one bathroom, and 26 litres per minute suits most homes with two bathrooms. Larger homes may need a bigger unit or two units linked together.

For most homes, yes. The warm, mild climate means heat pumps run efficiently all year, and they use far less electricity than a standard electric tank. Savings are biggest when replacing an electric system on a continuous tariff.

They make a low hum, similar to an air conditioner's outdoor unit. Positioning the unit away from bedrooms and neighbours' windows avoids most noise complaints.

Yes, but they work harder in cold air. For homes on the range around Maleny and Montville we recommend models rated for cooler temperatures, and setting them to run during the warmest part of the day.

A well-maintained solar hot water system commonly lasts 15 to 20 years. Boosters, valves and pumps may need replacing during that time.

Usually the booster is running more than it should, because of a faulty controller, a timer set wrong, shading on the collectors or a booster switched on permanently. We can check and adjust it.

We service many older roof-mounted systems. Parts for some older models are no longer available, so we'll confirm before quoting a repair.

Turn off the cold water valve going into the hot water system, then turn off its power or gas. Keep clear of any water that may be very hot, and call a licensed plumber.

On electric systems the usual causes are a tripped circuit, a failed element or thermostat. On gas systems it's often the pilot or ignition. On heat pumps and continuous flow units, check the display for an error code.

In most cases, yes. We keep common sizes and types on hand so a failed system can usually be replaced on the day you call.

Many manufacturers recommend a full service around every five years and easing the relief valve every six months, but check your owner's manual, as requirements vary by model. Homes on tank water benefit from more frequent anode checks.

Yes. Replacing a worn anode and relief valve before they fail protects the tank itself, which is the part that can't be repaired.

Around every five years on town water, and every two to three years on rainwater or bore water. An inspection shows how much is left.

On a tank that isn't leaking yet, yes. It costs a fraction of a new system and protects the tank from corroding through.

A failing tempering valve is a common cause. It may be letting too much cold water through. Testing the temperature before and after the valve confirms it.

In Queensland, hot water to bathrooms in new and replacement installations must be delivered at no more than 50°C, which is usually done with a tempering valve.

A small amount of water during heating can be normal. Constant dripping or running water is not, and usually means a worn relief valve or high water pressure.

No. If the water is coming from the tank itself, the lining has corroded through and the tank must be replaced. Leaks from valves and fittings can be repaired.

A tank leak can worsen quickly and cause water damage. Turn off the cold water to the unit and its power or gas, then call. We answer 24/7.

Yes. Most homes can switch from gas to a heat pump. It needs a suitable outdoor spot with airflow and an electrical connection, which we check before quoting.

For many Sunshine Coast homes, especially those on LPG bottles or with solar panels, yes. Running costs are usually lower and STC incentives on eligible models reduce the purchase price.

Yes. It's one of the most common changeovers we do. An electric storage tank is usually the quickest and lowest-cost replacement, though it uses more power to run than a heat pump.

Usually, yes. A heat pump uses around a third of the electricity of a standard electric tank. Running the new tank on an off-peak tariff, or heating it from rooftop solar during the day, reduces the difference.

Yes. We remove roof-mounted collectors and tanks and take them away, then install the new system in the position that suits you.

Most changeovers to an electric or gas system are finished the same day, depending on stock and access.

Sometimes. If it's under warranty, or the fault is a fan, sensor or valve, a repair can be the better option. We test it first and give you both prices.