After spending a little over 20 years in the plumbing industry it amazes me how many plumbers are
still unknowingly killing their customers hot water services. It’s little pieces of knowledge such as
what I’m about to share with you that sets us aside from the competition in Adelaide and has made
us the preferred choice for hot water repairs and installations across the state.

Electric Storage Water Heaters

Electrical storage water heaters have two main components which allow it to heat the water. The
element and a thermostat. This is the same for all types of electrical storage water heaters. Where
we start to get our point of difference from is the cylinder construction, not the shape or size, the
actual material in which the tank has been constructed of.
The nitty gritty

When a customer contacts us with a “no hot water” enquiry and they have an electric storage water
heater it will typically be an element or thermostat that is causing this fault. The element is our
point of interest in this post. A standard element which most plumbers will either carry or go to
collect would be that of a 3.6KW copper submersible element. As I mentioned the most common is
because they are not properly educated. If a hot water cylinder is manufactured from copper, there
is absolutely no way in which a standard element should be installed yet seems to happen as much
as 9 times out of 10.

The Fall Out

Immediately upon a new copper submersible element being installed particularly 3.6KW it draws too
much power and over heats the cable (which can lead to a house fire in which your insurance
company will not cover you for) as this is only suited to a 2.4KW element and immediately causes
electrolysis inside the tank. The electrification of a copper element inside a copper tank causes
thousands of tiny pin pricks to develop on the wall of the tank which in turn cause the tank to
corrode and next thing you know the tank is leaking and has become useless. How many times do
we get called to a leaking copper hot water cylinder and this is the exact symptom its shocking!

What’s the solution for leaking copper hot water cylinder?

The solution is simple for the right company. Install a compatible element. Another reason this
problem occurs is these incoloy elements are hard to come by and for an unprepared plumbing firm
they need to be specially ordered in, where as we have these on hand and in every service vehicle.
These elements are non-corrosive and do not react with the copper cylinder. Ensure the power
rating of the unit element is 2.4KW not 3.6KW. Typically, a copper cylinder is only powered by a
2.4KW another trick for the uneducated plumber.

With the cost of replacing water heaters something no one ever wants to have to pay money out for
its crucial that all repairs and servicing are always carried out by a licensed and experienced
plumbing firm, if you are reading this post you have found the right company. As I have made clear
in the above article the penalties for not having a repair done correctly will kill your hot water
service faster than need be.

More common in older products the pilot light can go out and simply will not come back on no matter how hard you try to re light it, it’s a common issue we get asked to assist with daily around Adelaide.  If the pilot light will not come on using the manufacturers recommended procedures, there is an under lying issue which will require the services of a licensed hot water specialist and should not be attempted by anyone other than a licensed person.

Types of systems and causes

When we start to explore the issue of a pilot light going out on a hot water service there are two types of systems.  First the storage type mains pressure vessel and secondly the instantaneous/continuous flow units.

Failed Parts

A gas hot water service will come equipped with a piezo ignition button and pilot lighting button which in turn when depressed in sequence with one another will allow the pilot light to ignite, but because we do not use their items daily, they tend to deteriorate and when they are finally needed again, they may have seized up.  As licensed hot water repairers we can either have the failed parts replaced allowing for safe ignition again of the pilot light itself.

The storage mains pressure systems are more susceptible to this problem and that is that of a failed thermo couple.  Typically, a customer will mention that they cannot get the pilot light to stay on even though it will light.  The thermocouple is most likely going to be the offender in this case.  The thermocouple is a piece of copper which detects a flame through the heat generated by the pilot light and in turns activates an electro magnet which tells the gas valve its safe to now allow gas through to the main burner.

Blocked Spud

A blocked spud, no not a potato a blocked spud!!!  Ok this problem can only be attended to by a licensed gas plumber.  The symptoms of this problem will only apply to continuous flow water heaters or instantaneous heaters which still have a pilot light so not the newer 5 and 7 star rated units.  The spud is in simple terms the jet which controls the rate and size of the flame for the pilot light.  It has a very small sized hole in it smaller then a needle head so can be susceptible to blockages over time especially from properties will old gas pipes.  It is a reasonably easy task to under take but only by a licensed gas fitter.

No Gas

No gas.  Every few years a properties gas meter will get changed over to make sure it is calibrated accurately.  During this process the gas pipes must be tested to ensure they are sound no leaks.  If a gas leak is detected, then the gas will be turned off until a licensed gasfitter can attend and find the leak and repair it.  Until the leak is rectified there will be pilot light.  After the gas has been turned off to a hot water service the pilot light can be tricky to get started again and could require the services of a gas plumber.
In our video below, you will see an example of why the pilot light will not stay on and the various components involved in maintaining a pilot light inside a hot water service.

Dressed up in its sleek looking white powder coated cover the Thermann 16 litre continuous flow water heater is a neat piece of plumbing equipment, making it a welcome addition to any property.

The 16-litre range of heaters is very common for properties such as 1 to 2-bedroom houses and apartments, businesses with a small to medium demand for hot water and properties with 1 to 1.5 bathrooms.

Accessories For The Thermann Hot Water Range

With a range of accessories available to partner with your Thermann water heater you have the flexibility of adding the following:

• Temperature control pads either kitchen, ensuite or bathroom controllers all accompanied by 15 metres of cable enabling installation in various locations across your home or office.
• Recessed boxes to allow for your water heater to installed back into the wall cavity allowing for a concealed installation. The recessed box can be ordered in either a painted finish or plain galvanised finish.
• Security bracket for added protection to your installation adding as a further deterrent for would be thieves considering stealing your new water heater.
• 20mm MI cold, hot and gas connection points allow for maximum delivery of hot water into any property.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency starting at 5.2 stars the Thermann 16 litre water heater enters the market with two options.  Firstly, there is the cheaper to purchase model with 5.2 stars energy rating and the other option slightly more expensive is the 6-star model.  The ability to achieve such a huge energy efficiency rating allows end users to capitalise on their utility bills while only ever paying for hot water when the tap is turned on.

Due to its size and demand for smaller amounts of gas this 16-litre model can often be used to replace older technology which did not use as much gas and remain compliant with current manufacturers specification.  Although this model is manufactured in Japan it has been water mark approved and AGA approved.

If your thinking of upgrading to Thermann or perhaps already have a model installed perhaps it needs a service or some form or repair to ensure the system is delivering to its maximum capabilities, let’s talk today.

Commonly installed in offices, commercial kitchens and function facilities the Rheem Lazer boiling water units supply boiling hot water on demand for tasks such as making coffee, tea, soup, cooking and cleaning of work areas.  The convenience of having water suitable for making instant soup or ready to clean dirty floors is something many people enjoy day to day throughout multiple locations across the state of South Australia.

Rheem Lazer Review

The flexibility of having these boiling water systems available various sizes allows you to get a system which will cater to the demands of every situation.  There are 3 different models on offer and they are as follows:

Lazer Eco

At the entry level of the range from Rheem offer boiling water through there Eco range.  As the name suggests it is the more basic of the 3 systems on offer.  This unit comes in 3 litre, 5 litre and 7 litre options.  It has a simple one button control and is finished off in a sleek powder coated white cover.

Lazer Office

Fully programmable the Office range offers unique features allowing for the system to be automatically turned on during periods of high demand and off again during periods when not in use ie: weekends for office buildings.  With a choice of either stainless steel or powder coated white the Office range has been awarded an International award for design.  Available in both 3 litre and 5 litre models the Office range makes a fantastic addition to any work place.

Lazer Commercial

Once again as per the Office range the Commercial is fully programmable and available in both stainless steel and powder coated white.  The big advantage of the commercial range is its ability to deliver up to 247 cups initially from the massive 40 litre model.  Ideally suited to establishments such as fast food outlets and restaurants where a large amount of boiling water is needed for tasks such as washing down floors and sanitisation of food preparation areas.

When we look at the maintenance required on these systems throughout their life span there a few common tasks which we deal with:

• Faulty cold-water inlet solenoid: This solenoid controls the delivery of cold water into the hot water tank.  During the life of the system this valve can wear out and needs replacing with a new solenoid valve.
• Calcified outlet tap: Adelaide is known for having hard water and it in turn shortens the life of many plumbing valves and fittings.  The boiling water systems dispenser is no stranger to this problem and during the unit’s life will most likely need replacing due to no delivery of hot water.
• Failed element: When a client notices that the unit is no longer delivering boiling water or only warm water it is a sign that the element is deteriorating and should be upgraded.
• Broken temperature sensor probe: If a boiling water unit is continually discharging water at a quick rate through the vent pipe it can indicate that the temperature sensor probe is not communicating properly and not providing the CPU with the correct temperatures.
• Malfunctioning CPU: In some cases where all the above noted issues are working ok and there is still a problem with the unit not operating to the manufacturers specifications then it will most likely be a faulty CPU or control board

The Rheem Lazer boiling water units today have a good share of the hot water plumbing market and keep our technicians busy with general servicing and replacements as nothing lasts forever anymore.  Through continually working with these systems we have become familiar with how these units operate and what parts are needed to be carried in the service vehicles to enable immediate repairs as no one likes going without there morning coffee.  If your experiencing difficulties with your boiling water unit let us assist you, we cover all locations across Adelaide and in most cases,  we will be out to you in the same day.

The South Australian Government has various options in the form a money back rebates for customers replacing their water heater or putting in a completely new style of heater in.  Depending on your situation the variables are all different and we will go through them in this post.

What do I need to do to qualify?

It’s a question we get asked a lot will I qualify for the cash rebate when I get a new hot water service?  There a few items you need to tick on the list first:

1. If you are replacing an existing heat pump such as Quantum or Chromagen it must be a minimum of 6 years of age, so in short if your heat pump has lasted past its cylinder warranty which is typically between 5 and 10 years (every manufacturer is different) then you will be entitled for the rebate providing the work is performed by licensed trades people. The model and brand which you choose will affect the rebate.  For example, a Stiebel Eltron 302L with smart element currently has a $1,080 plus gst rebate on it, it’s a great saving.
2. The same rebate would apply if you were to remove an existing electric storage water heater such as a Rheem Optima 250L or DUX 250L and replace it with the Stiebel Eltron 302L smart element water heater.
3. Natural gas has a few different options to be eligible for government rebates which apply to this fuel type. If you currently have natural gas connected but are using electricity for heating of the water and you decide to swap over to natural gas hot water system such as a Rinnai Infinity 26, Rheem Metro or Vulcan, there is currently $500 in rebates available.  If you do not have any gas connected to the property and opt to have it installed, you will firstly get the $500 as mentioned above when connecting a gas water heater and am additional $1,000 for connecting a gas meter to property.
4. Solar hot water will also entitle you to a government rebate. As mentioned early in the article like heat pumps if you replace an existing solar hot water service with a newer system providing it has served the life of its warranty (as a guide) you will be entitled to fill out the correct form and apply for your rebate.
5. As with the situation of a new heat pump installation if you decide to upgrade from a dedicated electric storage water heater such as a Thermann or Ever Hot to a solar heated water service such as a Solar Hart, Edwards, Apricus or Rheem Lo-Line then you will also be eligible for government rebates. These all vary due to the many different models available to customers in Adelaide.

Lower utility bills and money in the bank

It is a situation where you can’t lose, not only do you get to claim up wards from $1,000 on rebates but the technology which you have selected will be using far less energy leading to on going running costs on a business or households to be lower.  It’s a bonus the utility bills are going to be lower and your impact to the environment will be decreased.

*please note the information in this article was current at the time of publishing.

Quite often the question is asked, “how can I get hot water to a kitchenette or a hand basin without having to install a huge storage cylinder?”

Many years ago, there was no option but to consume the entire cupboard below the sink with a mains pressure electric storage hot water
cylinder either 25 litres or 50 litres in delivery capacity. You will still see a lot of these systems in operation especially in the older office buildings throughout Adelaide’s CBD. Today there is another option with major benefits:

• Does not store water
• Only takes up a small space in the cupboard
• No need for drainage pipes
• Heats water only as required (instant)
• Permissible operation pressure of 1000kpa
• Three adjustable temperature settings
• No ongoing regular maintenance
• Whisper quiet operation
• Easy installation
• Sleek looking design
• Suited to areas with low water flow rates
• 5-year warranty on domestic installations
• Can be partnered to multiple draw off points
• No risk of flooding from a burst storage cylinder (suited to multi storey office blocks)

Introducing Stiebel Eltron

Stiebel Eltron have been in the water heating market now for nearly 100 years when back in 1924 Dr. Theodore Stiebel founded the company in Berlin. Today the company is better known for its green energy low carbon systems through the delivery of heated water via heat pump technology. Stiebel Eltron also offer compact tankless instant electric water heaters for end users where their demand is low i.e. kitchenettes, laundry sinks, doctors rooms and hand basins.

The compact single phase instant electric water heaters come in four different models:

• DHCE 6/50
• DHCE 8/50
• DHCE 8/60
• DHC 4

These models can be installed below bench or directly above the sink depending on its desired use. They come in a sleek modern looking outer case, quiet dispenser, easily operated and guaranteed reliability under a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty (domestic applications only).

Case Study

Today many new homes are being built with multiple bathrooms that are typically positioned close to each other allowing for one large continuous flow gas water heater to supply hot water to these various outlets such as baths, bidets, showers and basins. What is neglected unfortunately is the kitchen sink, but there is a solution.

Delivery of water from a hot water service to the kitchen sink has a terrible reputation for taking a long time and by the time it arrives the person is likely to have finished using the tap. But with the installation of a Stiebel Eltron under bench unit which is plumbed up directly to the hot feed instead of the cold any water that leaves the properties hot water service for delivery to the kitchen sink is immediately used as intended “hot”.

Because the under-bench unit is connected to the hot supply pipe it utilises any of the water being fed to it from the properties water heater. Initially the under-bench unit will consume a little bit more electricity as it heats to cooler water in the hot pipe, but as the water temperature increases as it makes its way over across to the kitchen the Stiebel Eltron system starts to use less energy.

What does this mean? It means no longer are property owners waiting for hot water to finally arrive at the tap wasting countless litres of water (on average 1.5 litres of water is wasted every time the tap is turned on, that’s 5,475 litres of water per year, working on the average house hold turning on the hot tap at the kitchen 10 times per day). Instantly upon turning on a hot tap there will be water at the selected temperature.

How can it be achieved?

It doesn’t matter whether you have an existing property, building a new property or renovating these types of water heaters can be adapted to suit your demands. There is always going to be water plumbed up to a kitchen and it doesn’t have to be hot water these systems are designed to take cold or hot water feed pipes. The electrical supply cables to one of these systems is single phase (which is what every property who has electricity is connected to) and must be on a dedicated circuit which once again is a very simple process to have performed.

If you are considering your options for hot water to an office kitchenette or a commercial fit out contact us today and let us further discuss the options to suit your requirements. You will be amazed just how efficient these systems are and just how little space they require to be installed.

When was the last time you heard someone say something was free, its pretty rare! But when we start to discuss hot water there is an option that gives you the ability to take advantage of free energy to create hot water for nearly 8 months of the year (depending on your geographical location and aspect of the house).

Solar that’s right using the energy from the sun today allows businesses and homes to create electricity for either credits into the grid or use around the home, but another option is using solar panels which have water pumped through them.

By using solar water panels mounted to a roof either directly or via a pitched frame it typically willsoalr energy from the sun its FREE allow a domestic water to affectively operate during summer (and those other months where we get hot weather) without any further contribution via another energy source such as gas or electricity.

Another bonus for businesses and large-scale set ups such as apartments, hotels and aged care facilities is that the solar energy will contribute significantly to pre-heating. Due to the large-scale volume of water properties such as these commercial and industrial properties consume its unrealistic to think the solar water heating will provide 100% of the buildings requirements but it certainly allows for a good portion of pre-heating meaning that natural gas or propane (in most cases) only will be then used to heat warm water which keeps gas consumption down and hence lowers the utilities bills.

Like most things today nothing last forever and infrastructure such as these also need maintaining during their life. The average expected life span of solar water panels is between 15 to 20 years (depending on manufacturer and environmental conditions). During this period, you can expect to have repairs performed on items such as the hot and cold-water pressure relief valves, seals which join the panels together, cleaning of the panels to ensure they are performing at their optimal efficiency and anti-frost valves replaced in frost prone areas of the Adelaide Hills such as Stirling, Crafers, Aldgate, Bridgewater and Hahndorf to list a few of the more common locations of South Australia.

One important aspect to remember about solar panels is successfully gaining and maintaining access to work on these or even replace when the time comes. When we look at commercial and industrial properties majority of the time there are tie down points for our workers to harness themselves onto and ladders installed via roof access hatches to safely get onto and off the work place where the panels are installed. In domestic set-ups it can be little more challenging, so we need to attend the site with a E.W.P. (elevated working platforms) or have a scaffold erected. Working safely at heights is never a short cut worth taking as everyone deserves to go home from work each day
without injury.

If you don’t currently have solar water heating panels installed at your business or home let us help you with technical solutions based upon your requirements. On larger projects we have had up to 20 panels banked/manifolded together for pre-heating purposes and on smaller scale domestic homes we have had just one panel installed. Each case is different and that’s where our experience will be to your benefit, let’s work together on decreasing your energy bills.