When it comes to domestic gas hot water systems, there are three main systems to keep you out of a cold shower: these are storage, continuous flow, and instantaneous or instant gas hot water.
But before we dive into what and why, it is important to understand what it is you are buying, the research and data behind the system, and why all that matters. Knowing all of this information will help indicate what type of gas hot water system is right for your unique situation.
Choose a PCA approved and WaterMark certified product
All domestic systems from all major brands come backed and compliant with PCA and WaterMark registration. The Brisbane Plumbers, as your local plumbing expert, are your links between the PCA (Plumbing Code of Australia) and yourself. This code helps link all the standards and technical information together to make sure all work to the highest of standards and that the tradesperson who works on your system is qualified to do so. This makes choosing a PCA and WaterMark product the most important factor when deciding on your new system.
Understand the Fundamentals of Each Different System
You need to have some level of understanding of the operation of each plumbing system. With a basic understanding of how these systems heat water, you are in a better position to make the appropriate decision, rather than having a plumber (or worse, a salesman) make that decision for you.
There are many components of your gas hot water system, and every part is integral to its efficiency and safety. But it boils down (no pun intended) to two standard types of systems: storage systems or instant hot water systems.
The storage system uses a burner inside the tank, with a large volume of water in a canister above. A thermostat controlling the flow of gas to the burner to keep the tank at a consistently hot temperature. The continuous flow, of instantaneous / instant gas hot water systems don’t store any hot water, and rely on large burners with rapid heat transfer. A big advantage of a storage system is that they don’t require the use electricity, unlike continuous flow units which use electricity to ignite the burners. But that being said, continuous flow systems are generally a lot more efficient with, and can provide a big reduction in household running costs.
Consider the Installation and Running Costs
Gas hot water is available in many different forms. Natural gas is relatively cheap, especially when you look over a ten year period, and take into account installation and maintenance costs. LPG gas though is not cheap to run, and is more in line running a peak tariff electric hot water system. Even though it is relatively cheap to install, it can cost as much as $5,000 more to run and install than a premium solar system over a ten year period.
The environmental factors when choosing a new system are equally as important, with solar, heat pump and natural gas being highly efficient and powered by renewable resources, they are a sustainable solution. Especially when compared to petroleum-based LPG and the majority of QLD power being coal-fired.
Choose an Installer You Can Trust
Ask yourself, are you confident with the service provided by your choice of company? Have you done your research in places like Google My Business or Product Review? Have they taken the time to answer all of your questions? Do they seem to have no specific product agenda, and want to provide you with the best solution for your family? It is important you review your installer, and not just the product you want to install.
Give The Brisbane Plumbers a call today, and we would be more than happy to discuss all your options, with no sales pitch, just non-biased information and recommendations specific to your situation. And when the time does come for installation, we hope you keep us in mind.