Question 1

No hot water in Berwick this morning - what should I do first?

Accepted Answer

Check three things before calling: (1) for a gas storage unit, is the pilot light still lit (look through the inspection panel at the base) - a windy night or a stalled gas meter can blow it out; (2) for an electric or heat-pump unit, has the off-peak breaker tripped at the switchboard; (3) is the cold water still flowing to the unit (isolation valve not closed). If those check out and it's still cold, call 0485 813 822 - we cover Berwick, Cranbourne, Narre Warren, Hampton Park and Endeavour Hills.

Question 2

Gas, heat pump or solar - which hot water system is right for my Berwick home in 2026?

Accepted Answer

For most South East Melbourne homes in 2026 the maths now favours a heat-pump. A 280L heat-pump costs $4,000-$5,500 installed but qualifies for a $1,000 Solar Victoria rebate plus STCs (small-scale technology certificates) - net cost lands around $3,000-$4,500. Running cost is roughly 30% of an electric storage unit and about 70% cheaper to run than gas at current Victorian energy prices. Gas instantaneous (Rinnai Infinity, Bosch Highflow) still suits houses with strong existing gas plumbing and three-plus simultaneous outlets. Solar thermal panels are excellent for homes already getting roof sun and not wanting heat-pump noise, but the install is now usually more expensive than heat-pump after rebates. We walk through all four on site.

Question 3

Am I eligible for the Solar Victoria heat-pump rebate?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility (as of 2026): you must be the owner-occupier of a Victorian home valued under $3 million, household income under $210,000, and the property must have a working hot water system being replaced (no new-build). The rebate is $1,000 off an approved heat-pump model, claimed by an Solar Vic-approved installer on your behalf - you don't lodge anything yourself. Rebates have closed and reopened in batches the last two years; the program is also being progressively wound back as Victoria moves away from gas, so if you're considering it the window is shrinking.

Question 4

How much does a hot water replacement cost in South East Melbourne?

Accepted Answer

Indicative installed prices: gas instantaneous 26L (Rinnai Infinity, Bosch Highflow) $2,200-$3,000; gas storage 170L (Rheem, Rinnai, Bosch) $1,800-$2,500; heat-pump 280L (Sanden, Reclaim, Stiebel Eltron) $4,000-$5,500 before rebate, $3,000-$4,500 net after $1,000 Solar Vic + STCs; solar hot water 300L roof-mount with gas boost $5,000-$7,000 net of STCs; electric storage 250-315L $1,500-$2,200. Repairs run $200-$800 depending on the part - thermostats, anodes, valves, elements, pilot assemblies and flue kits are all stock items on the van.

Question 5

My existing unit is 12 years old - is it worth repairing or should I replace?

Accepted Answer

Honest rule of thumb: gas storage 10-12 years, electric storage 10-15, heat-pump 10-15, solar tank 15-20. Once a storage tank is leaking from the cylinder itself (not just a relief valve), it's done - replace it. Repairing a 12-year-old unit's thermostat or element makes sense if the cylinder is sound, but you're typically only buying another 1-3 years. Most of the 1990s-2000s gas units across Berwick, Narre Warren, Hampton Park and Endeavour Hills are now hitting that failure curve. We give you the honest call on site.

Question 6

How long does a hot water replacement take?

Accepted Answer

Like-for-like gas storage swap: 2-3 hours. Like-for-like electric storage swap: 2-3 hours. Gas storage to gas instantaneous changeover (relocates unit, new gas line, new flue): half a day. Electric or gas to heat-pump conversion (new circuit, possible relocation outdoors, condensate drain): 4-6 hours. Solar hot water full install (roof panels, tank, controls, boost): full day, sometimes two.

Question 7

Do you size hot water units by family size?

Accepted Answer

Yes - undersizing is the #1 reason people complain about a new system. Rough sizing for storage units: 1-2 people 125-170L, 3 people 170-250L, 4 people 250-315L, 5+ people 315-400L. For continuous (instantaneous) gas the sizing is in litres per minute: 16L/min for 1-2 outlets, 20L/min for 2-3 outlets, 26L/min for 3+ outlets or a household running showers and dishwasher simultaneously. For heat-pumps the smaller 200L tanks recover slowly - most 3-4 person Berwick families want the 280-300L tank. We'll measure your actual peak demand before quoting.

Question 8

What does Victoria's gas-out policy mean for my next hot water system?

Accepted Answer

Victoria's Gas Substitution Roadmap (updated 2024) blocks gas connections in new homes from 2024 and progressively phases gas out of existing homes over the next 15+ years. For your replacement decision today: existing gas connections aren't going anywhere immediately, but the long-term direction is electrification. Heat-pump and solar (electric boost) are future-proof; like-for-like gas replacement still works but is a 10-12 year decision that may be your last gas appliance. The Solar Victoria heat-pump rebate exists specifically to nudge replacements off gas - which is why the rebate window is closing.

No hot water? Start with a call.

Five hot water services.

Gas hot water

Heat-pump hot water

Solar hot water

Electric hot water

Hot water repairs

Three things every South East Melbourne hot water decision turns on.

Victoria’s gas-out policy - what to install in 2026.

Older South East suburbs have units hitting the failure curve.

Sizing for actual peak demand - not the showroom sticker.

Where we work.

From call to hot showers - 5 stages.

Call or quote form

Site visit

Honest call

Install

Rebate & warranty

No hot water? Call us first.

Solve the hot water questions around your home