As a general rule I would say if the electric hot water system is older than 10 years and you have not had any parts replaced since it was new, it is probably not worth the risk of repairing it.
Your electric hot water system may also be called an electric hot water heater, electric hot water tank, boiler, electric storage system, off peak hot water heater or electric hot water cylinder.
Hot water heaters were once made using copper or bronze. Some of these have lasted more than 40 years. Unfortunately, they are not as durable these days.
If you live in areas like Canberra where the water is relatively free from minerals such as calcium, iron and salt you could expect 10 years or more from your hot water heater.
Some faults are leaks through valves or seals. These are easily fixed by a qualified plumber. However, if the inner cylinder is leaking it cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
Finding and fixing a leaking valve or seal is relatively easy and should cost between $280.00 and $390.00 depending on the make and model.
Experience shows that when you have a problem with one part of the hot water heater another problem is not far away. In total a complete overhaul of all of the changeable parts on an electric hot water system should cost between $560.00 and $720.00. However, there are no guarantees on how long the inner cylinder will last. Remember if it is over 10 years it may not be worth repairing.
When choosing a replacement hot water system remember electric hot water systems are relatively cheap to buy and maintain. However, they are the most expensive to run and the most polluting.
Because electric hot water systems are so polluting the Federal government will phase them out from January 1st 2012
You may consider using the federal rebates to assist you to buy a solar hot water system. You may even consider a high efficiency gas hot water system as an environmentally friendly alternative to solar hot water and at a much lower installation price.
You can choose a new electric, gas and solar hot water system from manufacturers such as Dux, Radiant, Aquamax, Vulcan, Everhot and Rheem. They range in sizes from 11 litres all the way up to 400 litres in capacity.
Many electric hot water repair services will generally do a same day change over if your existing hot water system bursts. Some may even be able to change your electric hot water heater to a gas hot water heater on the same.
If you are looking for a hot water heater or hot water heaters, the electric hot water brands we service include Bosch hot water, Dux hot water and Rheem hot water. We can provide instant hot water through a new gas hot water system. We can supply and install a new solar hot water service and help you with your solar hot water rebate. For a list of brands that we support to go to www.hotwatersystems-plumbing.com.au/hot-water-system-canberra/hot-water-systems
If you need more information or immediate help with your electric hot water system in Canberra, Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra just call 6161 9417 for 6 Star Hot Water & Plumbing
Great post. If you want your hot water system to function steadily, you should consider getting it checked on a routine basis. My hot water system is in great condition because I do just this, using Benjamin Franklin Plumbing I have been with them for years and they have never let me down when I have any kind of plumbing, heating, or a/c issue.
ReplyDeleteRob replaced my leaking 12-year-old Rheem peak electric HWS in August, and I just received my first full electricity bill on the new gas system ... it's gone down by 56% from the last bill! That, and the swamp has disappeared from my backyard. Or at least it would be, if it would just stop raining.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a job well done. You and your staff were courteous, efficient, and helpful. You did exactly what you said you were going to, with only one exception. You said it would drop my bill by about a third. I didn't expect over half!
Lana