About hot water in Pelican Waters
Pelican Waters is largely canal and lakeside homes at the southern end of the coast, many of them larger, multi-bathroom houses.
Big homes need the right size
Larger Pelican Waters homes often have three or more bathrooms, and an undersized system shows up as cold showers on busy mornings. We size replacements on how many showers run at once, which often means a 315 litre tank, a large heat pump or a 26 litre per minute continuous flow unit.
Two storeys, long waits
In two-storey canal homes, the upstairs bathroom can be a long pipe run from the hot water system. If you're waiting a minute for hot water upstairs, we can talk through moving the system or adding a second unit closer to that bathroom.
Pick the sheltered side
Homes on the canals and the Pumicestone Passage catch salty, humid air. Putting the new system on the most sheltered side of the house, and choosing a coastal-rated heat pump, adds years to its life.
Recent hot water work in Pelican Waters
Indoor Thermann hot water replacement with leak protection in Pelican Waters
When the old hot water system at this Pelican Waters property stopped working, it had already passed the 10-year mark. At that age a repair rarely makes sense, because the tank itself is near the end of its life, so we recommended a replacement rather than spending money on parts.
Because this system lives in an internal cupboard, a leak would go straight into the house. The new Thermann electric storage system sits on a safe tray, with an automatic shut-off valve on the cold water supply for extra protection against water damage.
We took the old system away, checked the temperature at the taps and lodged the QBCC compliance. The work is backed by our lifetime workmanship warranty.
Thermann hot water replacement in an internal cupboard in Pelican Waters
The existing hot water system at this Pelican Waters home had failed, and it was more than 10 years old. With a tank that old, another repair would probably only have bought a short extension, so replacing it was the better-value option.
We fitted a new Thermann electric storage system in the same cupboard, sitting on a safe tray with the relief and tray drains piped to the waste outlet. All valves were replaced and the pipework insulated, so everything is neat and easy to access behind the cupboard doors.
Once the new system was running, we tested it at the taps, removed the old unit and lodged the compliance with the QBCC. The homeowner is covered by our lifetime workmanship warranty.
Hot water services in Pelican Waters
We handle hot water replacement, repairs, urgent call-outs and servicing in Pelican Waters, with a fixed price before any work starts.
- Hot water replacementLike-for-like changeovers, often the same day, or an upgrade to heat pump, solar or gas. Old unit removed and compliance lodged.
- Hot water repairsNo hot water, lukewarm water, a dripping relief valve or an error code. Diagnosed on site and fixed at a price agreed first.
- Emergency hot waterNo hot water or a tank leaking now. Fast response, with same-day replacement on most systems.
- Servicing and maintenanceInspections, valve and anode checks, and maintenance that helps your system last longer.
Systems to consider: For larger homes, a gas continuous flow unit (sometimes two linked together) or a heat pump of around 300 litres or more are the usual choices. Compare continuous flow and instantaneous, heat pump hot water, solar hot water, or read which system suits a Sunshine Coast home.
Common hot water problems and what they mean
Every property is different, but these faults are common in waterfront homes, depending on the system's age, where it's installed and the water supply.
- Running out of hot water on busy morningsLarge homes often outgrow the original system. A bigger tank or continuous flow unit fixes it.
- Continuous flow unit going cold with two showers onThe unit or gas supply is usually too small for the demand.
- Corroded fittings near the waterHumid, salty air off the canals attacks valves and brass fittings.
No hot water in Pelican Waters right now?
Check these first. They can save you a call-out.
Electric system?
Check the hot water circuit or safety switch at the switchboard hasn't tripped. If it trips again, leave it off.
Gas system?
Check the gas is on at the meter, or that the LPG bottle isn't empty.
Leaking or burst?
Turn off the cold water valve going into the unit, then turn off its power or gas.
Hot water questions from Pelican Waters
Do you service Pelican Waters, and is there a call-out fee?
Yes. We cover Pelican Waters 4551, along with neighbouring Golden Beach, Caloundra West and Bells Creek. There's no call-out fee and no travel surcharge, and you get a fixed price before any work starts. Call 0422 698 311 to check our next available time.
What size hot water system does a typical Pelican Waters home need?
It depends mostly on how many people live in the home and how many bathrooms run at once. As a rough guide, a family of three or four usually needs about a 250 litre electric or heat pump tank, or a continuous flow unit of around 20 to 26 litres a minute. Smaller households of one or two people usually do well with a 125 to 160 litre electric tank, a compact heat pump, or a continuous flow unit of around 16 to 20 litres a minute. Off-peak electric tanks need to be bigger, because they heat only once or twice a day. We confirm the right size when we quote.
Which type of hot water system works best in Pelican Waters?
Near the coast, salt air is the main thing that shortens the life of outdoor hot water parts in Pelican Waters, so stainless or well-protected models last longer close to the beach. The median age in Pelican Waters was 55 at the 2021 Census, so simple controls and safe, tempered bathroom temperatures matter in many homes. For larger homes, a gas continuous flow unit (sometimes two linked together) or a heat pump of around 300 litres or more are the usual choices. Eligible heat pump and solar models also attract STC incentives that reduce the upfront price.
Have you done hot water work in Pelican Waters recently?
Yes. Recent jobs in Pelican Waters include a indoor Thermann hot water replacement with leak protection and a Thermann hot water replacement in an internal cupboard. Each one was tested before we left and covered by our lifetime workmanship warranty. You can see the photos and write-ups on this page.
How much does a new hot water system cost in Pelican Waters?
New hot water systems in Pelican Waters start from $1,700 supply and install. The price depends mainly on the system you choose. For Pelican Waters homes we also allow for salt-resistant fittings and a sheltered position close to the beach. You get a fixed price before any work starts, with no call-out fee and no travel surcharge, and every install has our lifetime workmanship warranty. Pricing in Pelican Waters is the same as in neighbouring Golden Beach and Caloundra West: there's no travel surcharge anywhere we cover.
Is a heat pump a good choice for a canal-front home in Pelican Waters?
Yes, if it's placed well. Choose a sheltered spot away from bedroom windows and neighbours, and a coastal-rated model, and a heat pump will run efficiently and cost far less to run than an electric tank.
Why does it take so long for hot water to reach my upstairs bathroom?
The hot water has to push the cold water out of a long pipe first. Moving the system, insulating the line or adding a small unit near that bathroom are the usual fixes.
Figures in these answers are from the 2021 Census, via GDP suburb profile, Landchecker. Sizes are a rough guide; we confirm the right system when we quote.