What Should I Do if My Hot Water System Dies?

Imagine the scenario of your hot water system is gone (or perhaps you’ve already lived it):

You wake up one chilly morning and are really looking forward to a warm, soothing shower to kickstart your day. And yet, to your dismay, the hot water system has given up the ghost.

Before you know it, panic sets in.

At this point, we encourage you to take one, big breath. Because if you panic, one thing is for certain: you’re going to miss the opportunity to cooly, calmly select the best, high-quality system replacement for your needs.

In other words – panic, and you’re likely to overlook some options that may well have saved you lots of cash.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to calmly and effectively replace your hot water system with a quality alternative – perhaps from us at G Store. We’ll explore the various hot water system options available here in Victoria, discuss the pros and cons of each, and even touch on potential rebates making high-quality hot water system alternatives more affordable.

But first:

My hot water system has died. Should I panic?

First and foremost, it’s crucial to remain calm. While a malfunctioning hot water system can be inconvenient, it’s a problem with some really wonderful solutions.

You will have realised by now that panicking won’t heat your water, but informed decision-making will. So, let’s take a look at the alternatives on the table for you.

What kind of replacement hot water systems are available?

In Victoria, you have several options when it comes to replacing your existing legacy or malfunctioning hot water system. Each particular kind of system has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Let’s take a look at them:

Gas hot water systems

Gas hot water systems offer quick heat recovery times, providing a continuous supply of hot water. Surprisingly, they may also offer slightly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to electric systems and are often regarded as being cost-effective in areas with access to mains gas.

While more expensive than an electric system to install upfront, they are certainly not as kind to the environment. Gas systems come in both storage (with storage tank) and instantaneous (no storage) models.

Electric hot water systems

Electric hot water systems (also available in both storage and instantaneous models) offer lower upfront installation costs and a variety of flexible installation options. While generally reliable and readily available (as the traditionally most-often installed hot water system in Victorian homes), electric systems are not at all environmentally friendly unless powered by renewables.

Heat pump hot water systems

Let’s take a look at one of the most popular energy-efficient systems on the market today. Heat pump hot water systems are very environmentally friendly with supreme energy efficiency. They offer lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional systems and need not rely on solar panels or solar batteries for their operation. What’s more, a heat pump can facilitate a number of energy-efficient systems around your home. It’s a wonderful, multi-functional system!

One of the greatest things? With a heat pump hot water system, you’re eligible for the Solar Vic hot water rebate!

Solar hot water systems

Solar hot water systems also offer reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for much lower energy bills over time. Powered off solar panels, this fundamental change in the way your house produces power offers you a wealth of possibilities when it comes to the all-electric evolution of your home.

While solar hot water systems cost more to install, making this choice also means you’re eligible for the Solar Vic hot water rebate – which, in turn, makes a quality replacement for your hot water system vastly more achievable!

No, you don’t have to go for the cheapest product.

Is gas hot water worth it?

Gas hot water systems have always been a popular choice for Victorian homes, accounting for nearly half of all water heaters installed in homes. While they offer quick heat recovery, making them suitable for households with high hot water demand, they also have lower running costs compared to electric systems (due to the generally lower cost of gas).

However, the feasibility of a gas hot water system depends on whether you have access to mains gas. As you’ll likely know, the Victorian government has just announced the cessation of gas connections in all new domestic builds from 1 January 2024. While that may not apply to you directly, you can be certain that the favourability of gas is likely to fall as a result.

What’s more, even if you did stick with gas, using LPG bottles can be costly in the long run which will continue impacting your monthly bills for months, if not years, to come.

Our suggestion? Look at other alternatives before you default to gas. If you give our team a call today on 1300 137 567, we can even provide you with a range of comprehensive quotes for alternatives so you do the numbers too.

Is there a rebate for hot water in Victoria?

Yes!

In Victoria, homeowners can take advantage of Solar Victoria’s hot water rebate program to make quality, energy-efficient hot water alternatives more affordable. This rebate program offers up to $1,000 in rebates for eligible heat pump and solar hot water systems.

To be eligible for the Victorian hot water rebate, it’s no surprise that you must meet specific criteria. These include:

• Being the owner-occupier of the property where the system will be installed
• Having a combined household taxable income of less than $210,000 per year
• Not having received a hot water rebate or solar battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program previously
• Having a property valued at under $3 million
• The hot water system to be replaced must be at least three years old from the date of purchase
• Householders should note that they cannot receive the same Solar Homes rebate more than once

Once you meet these eligibility criteria, there are a small number of steps you’ll need to follow. These include:

• Step 1 – Obtain your quote from G Store
• Step 2 – Apply for the rebate (we can happily help you do this)
• Step 3 – Get the system installed

After receiving confirmation of approval by Solar Victoria, you can arrange for the installation of the system by an authorised hot water retailer. The rebate will be paid directly to the retailer and deducted from your invoice.

However, remember this: it’s important to note that the hot water rebate is calculated after any other discounts have been applied. What’s more, it is intended to cover 50% of the purchase price of the system, up to the value of $1,000.

Wrapping up

There can be no doubt that facing a malfunctioning hot water system can be stressful. However, it’s essential to approach the situation calmly and explore your replacement options with a cool head.

While gas, electric, heat pump, and solar hot water systems all have their advantages, it’s important to choose the system that best suits your budget, needs, relationship to energy-efficiency, and your plans for the future.

If you’re in Victoria, consider taking advantage of the hot water rebate program to make your energy-efficient hot water system more affordable.

Are you ready to learn more about an efficient, high-quality replacement for your existing hot water system?

Visit our Learning Centre now to read more, or give our award-winning team a call today on 1300 137 567.

We can’t wait to speak with you.