As professional plumbers serving Brisbane homeowners for over 20 years, one thing we always stress is the importance of having an efficient, reliable hot water system. Not only does hot water play a crucial role in day-to-day comfort, but an ageing or improperly-sized unit can be an energy sinkhole costing you hundreds per year in excess utility costs.
If your existing storage tank or tankless water heater is over 10 years old, consistently underperforming, or you’ve simply outgrown its capacity, it may be time to explore an upgrade. Luckily, there’s no shortage of options for today’s Brisbane homeowners looking to modernise. Here’s a rundown of the latest hot water solutions from our experienced team:
Tankless (continuous flow) water heaters
One of the most popular upgrades we recommend is switching to a high-efficiency tankless or “continuous flow” water heater, which provides endless hot water with significant benefits:
- 20-30% lower energy costs than storage tanks
- Compact wall-mounted design frees up floor space
- Eliminates standby heat losses from stored water
- No risk of leaks from ruptured tanks
- Longer projected 20+ year service life
Ideal for smaller households, we can size and specify the perfect gas or electric tankless solution for your home’s hot water needs.
Heat pump (hybrid) water heaters
For ultimate energy efficiency and cost savings, heat pump hybrid models are the top choice. By extracting thermal energy from surrounding air, these systems:
- Use 60% less energy than conventional electric tanks
- Achieve outstanding Energy Star-rated performance
- May qualify for utility rebates and incentives
- Reduce environmental impact and carbon footprint
- Provide same endless hot water as tankless units
Heat pumps do require adequate ventilation and airflow, but can drastically cut your hot water heating bills when installed properly.
Solar hot water systems
For Brisbane homeowners motivated to embrace renewable energy sources, solar hot water heaters offer a sustainable solution by:
- Utilising free energy from the sun to heat water
- Significantly offsetting gas or electric water heating costs
- Adding value to your home with green design
- Qualifying for government incentives and rebates
- Options for solar thermal storage tanks or tankless models
While more expensive upfront, solar hot water systems essentially provide free hot water once installed, with minimal operational costs.
Traditional tank storage upgrades
In some cases, upgrading to a modern high-efficiency storage tank is the most practical and cost-effective solution. We recommend:
- Opting for larger tank sizes for growing families
- Installing heat pump or tankless coil boost options
- Upgrading insulation to reduce standby heat losses
- Power venting models for improved efficiency
While tankless and solar grab headlines, high-efficiency tanks remain affordable workhorses for many Brisbane homes.
Smart, connected hot water solutions
Finally, the cutting edge of hot water technology marries Wi-Fi functionality with advanced smart controls for features like:
- Remote temperature monitoring and adjustment
- Leak detection and automatic water shut-off capabilities
- Integration with smart home automation systems
- Detailed energy monitoring and efficiency reporting
- Predictive maintenance alerts and diagnostics
For the ultimate convenience and future-proofing, a web-enabled smart hot water system provides unmatched insight and control.
Conclusion
From highly efficient tankless designs to sustainable solar thermal systems, there’s never been more options for upgrading your Brisbane home’s hot water solution. Our experienced plumbers keep up with the latest technologies to guide you toward the ideal system for your budget and needs.
Whether you’re motivated by energy savings, going green, higher capacity or simply want cutting-edge smart home integration, we have the perfect hot water upgrade handled. With our workmanship guarantees and over 20 years serving local homeowners, you can trust your new system will provide reliable hot water for decades to come.
