Hot Water Systems Mount Cotton
Hot water systems for Mount Cotton homes on rainwater, mains or both. Repairs, replacements and the checks a tank-fed system needs to stay safe and last.
Hot water from a rainwater tank
Plenty of Mount Cotton properties run wholly or partly on rainwater, with a pump and pressure vessel doing the work that mains pressure does in town. Your hot water system relies on that setup too, so when the pump fails, the hot water goes with it.
Temperature is the first safety check. Queensland Health advises that if roof-harvested rainwater supplies a hot water system, the thermostat should be set at 60°C or higher. NSW Health explains why: water heated to 60–70°C kills disease-causing microorganisms, making it safe for bathing and washing up.
Queensland Health also doesn’t recommend using water from the hot tap for drinking or cooking. Use the cold tap and boil it if you need to.
Tank water is harder on a water heater than you’d think
Rheem’s owner’s guide warns that switching between water supplies, such as a rainwater tank and town water, can shorten the life of the cylinder, the relief valve and the heating element. For water that alternates like this, it says the anode should be inspected within five years of installation and every five years after, and replaced if it shows wear.
The anode is matched to the water’s dissolved solids. Tank water can be quite different from town water, and the wrong anode can shorten the cylinder’s life and void the cylinder warranty. If you’re not sure what’s in your water, have it tested before a new unit goes in.
Without a pressure pump, the guide says the bottom of the supply tank must sit at least a metre above the highest point of the hot water plumbing, and the cold line has to be sized to avoid air locks. Most acreage homes solve that with a pump, which then becomes part of the hot water system.
We look after tank and pump diagnosis as well as hot water, so one visit can sort out whether it’s the heater or the supply. We hold QBCC licence 15504687 and gas licence L90908, including gas on bottled supply.
Frequently asked questions
Can’t see your question? Call us and we’ll talk it through.
Call 0418 871 269What temperature should my hot water be on rainwater?
Queensland Health says 60°C or higher when roof-harvested rainwater supplies the system. A tempering valve then brings bathroom outlets down to a safe temperature.
No hot water and no cold water either. Is the heater broken?
Probably not. On a tank-fed property, losing all water usually points to the pump or pressure system. We check the supply first, then the heater.
Does rainwater wear out a hot water system faster?
It can. Manufacturers note that changing between rainwater and mains water can shorten the life of the cylinder and its parts, and they recommend regular anode checks for supplies like this.
Can I drink water from the hot tap?
Queensland Health doesn’t recommend it for drinking or food preparation. Use cold water instead.
Do you install gas hot water on bottled gas in Mount Cotton?
Yes. We fit and service gas hot water on LPG bottles as well as electric and heat pump systems.
Hot water in nearby areas
Not listed? We probably still cover your area, so give us a call.
Hot water trouble on a tank-fed property in Mount Cotton? Call 0418 871 269.
Free quotes, and emergency callouts 24 hours a day.