Hot Water Systems Underwood
Hot water repairs, replacements and water-saving upgrades in Underwood. Before you replace a unit to cut your bills, check how much hot water the house is wasting.
Where your hot water money goes
Energex estimates water heating is around a quarter of the electricity used in a Queensland home. The Your Home guide says showers use most of it in a typical household, and Energex adds that around a third can go on the laundry.
That means the cheapest savings are usually in the shower. Energex says cutting a shower from 8 minutes to 4 halves the hot water cost of that shower. A WELS four-star showerhead can cut shower hot water use by about half, according to Your Home, and Energex notes a low-flow showerhead or flow control valve does it without reducing pressure.
Leaks cost more than people expect. Energex puts a tap dripping 60 times a minute at around 9,000 litres a year. If that’s the hot tap, it’s about $100 a year spent heating water that goes straight down the drain.
Small fixes that make a difference
Fix dripping hot taps and leaking appliances straight away, including a relief valve on the hot water system. Your Home’s test: if a bucket under the relief valve fills in a day, the valve needs replacing.
Set a storage system’s thermostat to 60°C, not higher. That’s hot enough to stop Legionella growing, and anything above it just costs more to keep hot. Continuous flow units should be set no higher than 50°C.
Leave mixer taps in the cold position when you don’t need hot water. In the middle, they draw hot water from the system that then goes cold in the pipes before it reaches you. Washing clothes in cold water helps too.
We supply and fit water-saving devices, repair leaking taps and fixtures, and replace hot water systems when an upgrade makes sense. If you have a continuous flow unit, we’ll check that a new water-efficient showerhead suits it, as some units cut out at low flow. Licences: QBCC 15504687, gas L90908.
Frequently asked questions
Can’t see your question? Call us and we’ll talk it through.
Call 0418 871 269How can I lower my hot water bill without replacing the system?
Shorter showers, a WELS four-star showerhead, fixing dripping hot taps, washing in cold water and setting the thermostat to 60°C, not higher. Together they can make a noticeable dent.
Will a water-saving showerhead work with my continuous flow hot water?
Usually, but check. Some instantaneous units shut down at low flow, so the showerhead needs to be compatible. We check before fitting one.
What temperature should my hot water system be set to?
Storage systems at 60°C, to prevent Legionella. Continuous flow systems at no more than 50°C. Higher settings use more energy than needed.
Is a leaking hot water relief valve costing me money?
Yes. It’s hot water you’ve paid to heat going to waste. If a bucket under it fills in a day, the valve needs replacing.
When is it worth replacing the hot water system to save money?
When the unit is near the end of its life, or your household’s use has changed a lot. A heat pump uses much less energy than an electric storage unit, so it’s worth comparing when the time comes.
Hot water in nearby areas
Not listed? We probably still cover your area, so give us a call.
Want lower hot water bills in Underwood? Call 0418 871 269.
Free quotes, and emergency callouts 24 hours a day.