by BPD Team | Nov 4, 2021
Although we don’t always remember it, the hot water system in your home is working hard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure you have hot water whenever you need it. From hot showers to ensuring your dishwasher has hot water to turn on the hot tap in the laundry room, hot water plays a huge role in everyday life. So, how does your hot water system actually work?
What are the different types of hot water systems?
There are 5 main types of hot water systems available to Australian homes and businesses:
- Electric storage hot water systems.
- Gas storage hot water systems.
- Instant gas hot water systems.
- Heat pump hot water systems.
- Instant electric hot water systems.
How do hot water systems actually work?
How a hot water system works depends on its type, as they all have the same end goal – heat up the water that is going to your tap. However, a general explanation of how each system works can be found below.
Electric storage hot water systems
Over 50% of the Australian population use electric storage hot water systems, making them the most common choice on the market. They are known to be energy-hungry and not-so-eco-friendly, using large amounts of electricity to heat up water stored in the tank. Many brands however are stepping up to create energy-efficient storage options which make upgrading or replacing your current hot water heater with a new system easy. Learn more about electric storage hot water systems here and a more detailed explanation of how an electric storage hot water system works.
Gas storage hot water systems
Gas storage systems are a more energy-efficient option than traditional electrical storage systems, offering fast reheat times and either LPG or natural gas choices. Gas storage hot water systems are also very reliable, making them a solid choice for many family homes. Learn more about gas storage hot water systems here and a more detailed explanation of how gas storage hot water systems work.
Instant gas hot water systems
Instant gas hot water systems only heat water when you need it, as opposed to wasting energy heating water in storage tanks. It runs on gas, either LPG or natural, and has a range of benefits – especially for those who are already connected to a gas main. Learn more about instant gas hot water systems here and as well as finding more info on how instant gas hot water systems work.
Heat pump hot water systems
Heat pump hot water systems use a system similar to a reverse air conditioner to draw ambient warmth from the air outside to heat water. These highly energy-efficient units provide an easy, environmentally friendly upgrade from a conventional electric hot water system, potentially reducing your hot water bills by up to 30%. Learn more about heat pump hot water systems here and find out how does a heat pump hot water heater works.
Instant electric hot water systems
Instant electric hot water systems, also known as continuous flow, tankless, or instantaneous systems, offer a space-saving and energy-efficient water heating option. Water is heated as and when you need it, with Zip and Stiebel Eltron being the two major brands offering instant electric hot water in your home or workplace. Learn more about instant electric hot water systems here as well as how instant electric hot water systems work.
Give Brisbane Plumbing and Drainage a call on 1300 616 203 today if you would like to know more about hot water systems, including the best one to suit your needs.
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by BPD Team | Nov 4, 2021
WHAT IS AN INSTANT ELECTRIC HOT WATER SYSTEM?
Instant electric hot water systems offer energy-efficient water heating for both homes and businesses without taking up too much space. Great for buildings with low hot water requirements, they are beginning to make their mark on the Australian market due to their space-saving, cost-effective convenience.
HOW DOES AN INSTANT ELECTRIC HOT WATER SYSTEM WORK?
Electric continuous flow water heaters are just as their name suggests – electricity-powered hot water systems that heat water as you need it. When turning on the hot water in your home, this triggers a flow sensor that commences the heating process. The heating element is triggered which allows the required water to be heated electrically before it gets to you as nice, toasty hot water.
Instantaneous systems which run off electricity use less energy than electric storage units, however produce more greenhouse gases than gas storage units. Additionally, because a lot of people use water during peak times, electricity prices are at peak rates (not off-peak like many storage options) however you will never run out of hot water.
WHAT ARE THE INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS FOR AN INSTANT ELECTRIC HOT WATER SYSTEM?
As practically every home and workplace has electricity, the only installation requirements are regulatory.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF AN INSTANT ELECTRIC HWS?
Pros
- Energy-efficient, as only heat water when you need it.
- Can fit neatly under the office or vanity sink for a perfect compact water heating solution.
- Great for those with lower hot water requirements.
- The close proximity of the water heater to the outlet means the hot water gets to the tap fast.
- No flue needed.
- Easily adjustable temperature.
- Super convenient.
Cons
- Typically need high power inputs, particularly if more than one unit is running at once – this can result in the need of 3-phase power.
- Can have high, upfront costs.
- Still not as eco-friendly as other water heating options.
WHO DOES AN INSTANT ELECTRIC HOT WATER SYSTEM SUIT?
Anyone who has a small space with minimal outlets would suit an instant electric hot water system, however, there are several options of larger instant electric systems available which can cater to several outlets from a single unit.
If you would like further information in relation to installing an instant electric hot water system in your home or workplace, give Brisbane Plumbing and Drainage a call today on 1300 616 203 and we can assist.
NEED SOME MORE HELP?
Learn more about how hot water systems work here, or head to one of our specific information pages below:
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by BPD Team | Oct 27, 2021
Has your shower gone stone-cold because your hot water system is shot? Do you have the choice between bottled or mains gas on the one hand and electricity on the other? Well, here’s the really good news – in this cluttered and highly competitive hot water market, the choice and the power really is in your hands. But which one wins the day in the contest of gas vs electric hot water?
The slightly-less-good-news is that this question really isn’t a trivial one at all. And why? Because every single household is different. And because heating water for your baths, showers and dishes accounts for an incredible 25-40 percent of every household’s average energy costs. Yep: that’s an awful lot of money.
So in that gas hot water vs electric battle, we’re going to need to break down the options into some detail:
Let’s start with electric
We need to start with electric hot water systems – because that’s where we started in terms of modern hot water systems. It’s only in the last several years that we started to consider an electric water heater vs gas, for very simple reasons: gas is cheaper, and gas is more environmentally friendly.
How about instant electric?
But while we’re all familiar with those simple and affordable electric systems that we grew up with, there’s now another option to consider – instant electric.
Instantaneous or ‘continuous flow’ hot water systems are still powered by electricity, but there’s no tank. Basically, these sleek systems only heat water after you turn on the tap, making them quite a bit more economical. Better yet, because there’s no tank, you’ll literally never run out of water.
Don’t forget heat pumps!
But wait … there’s more! Some of the latest and greatest hot water technology on the market, despite a slightly higher ticket price, is likely to pay you back over time with much lower ongoing operating costs. We’re talking about electric heat pump hot water systems, which work like a fridge in reverse.
Yes, they make a little more noise than a standard electric system, but if you want to go ‘greener’ without going ‘solar’, give heat pumps a close look.
Now let’s explore gas
So what about gas hot water systems? Well, it’s certainly a very solid rival for electricity, with both storage and instantaneous options to go with those low-emissions and high-efficiency benefits. And if you’re not on mains gas, you could always get bottles.
But which is cheaper?
It’s true that a gas unit is typically a little more to purchase and have fitted than electric – but it’s marginal. Lower ongoing running costs of gas pretty much immediately offset the extra anyway.
So what’s the verdict – gas or electric hot water?
So whether you’re new to the hot water game, or you’re looking to switch from gas to electric or from electric to gas, there’s always a lot to consider when making the right choice for your circumstances, lifestyle and budget.
Ask yourself:
- What are your energy options?
- How happy were you with your previous unit?
- How much space do you have for your system?
- How many people will use the hot water, and how?
With the answers to these questions ready, why not get in touch with Brisbane Plumbing & Drainage for your new hot water system installation? We won’t just give you the benefit of our hands-on experience with all hot water technologies, brands and options, we can get your new system fitted and producing reliable and steaming hot water before you know it. Get in touch with our local Brisbane plumbers today.
by BPD Team | Oct 21, 2021
You may think things couldn’t be worse when a horrible experience at work, a sniffly nose, and a bad hair day all rolled into one. Well, here’s how it could get worse: You get home to discover toilet problems.
There are three certainties in life: Death, taxes, and the need for a fully functioning toilet. If your personal throne is on the blink, you just want a straightforward explanation and an even more urgent remedy. We’re happy to oblige:
Toilet troubleshooting 101:
1. It won’t flush?
So you’ve whacked that button, and the result was a toilet not flushing properly.
Ask yourself: Does the flush button feel right? Is the water level sufficient in the cistern? Is the flapper installed properly, or is it bent or warped? It’s also possible that you’re dealing with a hopelessly blocked toilet. If so, proceed.
2. Is it blocked?
You’re in luck, because ‘how to fix a blocked toilet’ is an easy question to answer in 9 out of every 10 cases – simply go and grab that trusty old plunger. If that doesn’t work, there are other ways to DIY a fix … and your friendly local plumbers are always just on the other end of that phone.
3. Is the cistern leaking?
A leaking cistern is another of those toilet issues you might be able to manage on your own – especially if you know about those rubber gaskets around the bolts and washers. It’s also possible that you need a new cistern outlet kit, but just make sure the replacement one is fully compatible.
4. Is the toilet itself leaking?
A leaking cistern is one thing, but a leaking toilet bowl? That’s something else. Unfortunately, a seal underneath the toilet itself has probably failed, and fixing it is not as simple as in #3. You may be able to stop the leak by simply tightening the floor bolts, but in many cases, you may need a new toilet.
5. Is it running?
A running toilet can really do your head in – especially when it’s in the ensuite and it’s 3 am. The keyword for the likely fix? The flapper. It probably just isn’t sealing, but it could also be a leak in the fill valve, which may be stopped with an adjustment to the float arm.
6. There’s no water at all?
A faulty or insufficient flush is bad enough, but what if there’s not a single drop in the tank? That actually sounds like a water supply problem rather than a toilet problem, so make sure the water supply valve is fully on – and then check if water is being supplied elsewhere in the building.
7. Is it wobbly?
It really depends on what’s wobbling. If it’s the toilet itself, and you’re getting sea-sick while you’re sitting on it, the flange connecting the toilet with the drain has gone out of whack with the floor – but the bolts might just need tightening. Hopefully, the wobbly issue is just the seat, and changing that out should take no more than two or three minutes and a spanner.
Call Brisbane’s best for a fast toilet problems fix
But we’ll be honest: there’s a lot of other things that could explain your misbehaving toilet as well! Whether it’s broken, wobbly, blocked, leaking or just plain annoying, there’s no one more experienced in every single toilet problem than Brisbane Plumbing & Drainage. Don’t let your naughty toilet get you down, and instead give our friendly team a call for toilet repair and replacement right now!
by BPD Team | Oct 11, 2021
Yes, saving water means lower water bills. However, it’s not one of our biggest household costs, so too many people stand under the shower for hours thinking the only headache will be a few more dollars and cents when that next bill arrives in the coming weeks or months. So before we even consider how to save water at home, we’ll have to convince you why it’s so important:
- It’s the world’s most precious resource
- Water conservation keeps water pure and clean
- And it’s one of the key ways a key way to protect the environment.
So as well as getting those water bills down, how could you possibly need any more reasons to implement some simple water saving tips Australia wide?
1. Take shorter showers
Daily bathing accounts for a whopping percentage of your daily water usage. But simply by capping your showers at 4 minutes, you’ll slash your overall water usage by as much as 20%.
2. Install low-flow showerheads
While we’re on the topic of showers, does yours have a water-efficient showerhead? If you absolutely love a longer-than-4-minute soak, switching to a low-flow head will reduce your hot water usage by almost 50% – and you’ll hardly notice the difference.
3. Use a cistern displacement device
Wait a minute … use a what? It sounds complicated, but a cistern displacement device is really just a bag full of crystals that you plop into your toilet cistern to limit the amount of water that can be released into your bowl per flush. It’s not hard to whip up a DIY version either.
4. Check for pipe leaks
Even with all the water saving tips and tricks in the world, you’ll still be wasting thousands (yes, thousands) of litres per year if you fail to even notice a hidden pipe leak.
But while obvious leaks are one thing, what on earth do you do about hidden leaks? If your water meter is turning and all the taps are closed tight, a leak deep into your plumbing system can seem impossible to locate, which is why all the best plumbers offer superb water leak detection services. It’s a combination of experience and start of the art technologies, meaning that if a single drop of water is being shed out of sight, a great plumber will find it and fix it.
5. Check for toilet leaks
While you’re checking for hidden leaks, check a very common culprit – the toilet. Put a few drops of food dye in the cistern, and walk away. After an hour, have a look at the bowl. Any colour? If yes, you have a leak.
6. Wait until it’s full
Are you one of those people who puts the washing machine or the dishwasher on even if you’re only dealing with a few items of clothing or a few odd dishes? Don’t forget that some washing machines use well over 100 litres of water per cycle, and – while more efficient – dishwashers are rather thirsty too. So why not wait until those water-hungry appliances are completely chocka-block before switching them on?
How to save water with Brisbane’s best plumber
It’s no exaggeration to say that not a single plant, animal or person would grace our beautiful country and planet without water. So why not start treating it like the precious resource it is – and keep as much of it in your pipes as possible.
At Brisbane Plumbing & Drainage, we care about water conservation and lowering your water bills too – which is why we offer tips, advice, and the very best leak repairs and state-of-the-art water leak detection services – and so much more to keep your plumbing systems singing like a song. Get in touch with our reliable Brisbane plumbing company today.
