What a new hot water system installation involves
We size, supply and install brand-new hot water systems right across the Perth metro: gas, electric, solar and heat pump, on every major brand. Every install is completed by licensed plumbers and gas fitters to WA compliance standards, and we safely remove and recycle your old tank at no hidden cost.
Most people call our Perth hot water system team at one of two moments. Either the old system has just failed and they need it replaced now, or they have noticed the signs coming and want to plan the swap on their own terms. Both are fine. The planned route is cheaper and gives you more choice of system, but we handle plenty of same-day emergency replacements too.
The install itself starts before anything gets unbolted. We check the existing unit’s position and clearances, what supply you actually have available, whether the electrical circuit or gas line will carry the new unit, and how much hot water your household needs at peak. A 400 litre tank in a two-person home wastes standby energy every single day for a decade. A 125 litre tank in a five-person home means somebody gets a cold shower every morning. Getting the storage capacity (litres) and recovery rate right is the single decision that has the most effect on how happy you are with the system in three years.
Once the system is selected we quote it in writing, including the unit, labour, materials, old-tank removal and certification. Nothing starts until you approve it. On the day, we isolate the water and power or gas, drain and remove the old cylinder, position and secure the new one, make the connections, and commission it. All units we supply carry WaterMark certification and are installed to AS/NZS 3500.4, which includes fitting or checking the tempering valve so water delivers at a safe temperature at your bathroom outlets.
Common problems we solve
“The old unit is in an impossible spot.” Plenty of Perth homes have the tank wedged into a 600mm side setback or tucked behind an air conditioner. We measure clearances first and, where a like-for-like swap will not fit the modern equivalent, we look at a wall-mounted continuous flow unit or a sensible relocation with the pipework cost quoted upfront.
“I don’t know whether to change system type.” Switching from electric storage to a heat pump can cut the running cost dramatically, but only if the placement works and the noise will not sit under a bedroom window. We give you the honest version, including when staying with what you have is the better call.
“The last quote didn’t include everything.” Disposal fees, tempering valve replacement, isolation taps, an upgraded circuit: these are the line items that turn a tidy quote into a surprise invoice. Ours includes them or flags them clearly before we start.
“It failed and I need hot water today.” We keep the common Rheem, Rinnai and Dux replacement models accessible and can often complete a same-day changeover. Where the specific unit needs ordering, we can arrange a temporary hot water option in the meantime.
What it costs to install a hot water system in Perth
New units generally run from around $500 for a basic electric storage tank up to $7,000 for a premium solar or heat pump system. Installation labour and materials are quoted separately, because they genuinely vary: a like-for-like electric swap in an accessible spot is straightforward, while a continuous flow gas unit needs gas fitting, flueing and sometimes an upgraded gas line.
The factors that move an install quote most are system type change, unit relocation, gas or electrical work, access difficulty, and whether the existing tempering valve and isolation taps need replacing. On heat pump and solar systems, the federal Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) rebate typically takes $800 to $1,500 or more off the price as a point-of-sale rebate, and we handle the certificate paperwork so it lands in your quote rather than in your inbox.
For a full breakdown by system type, see our guide on how much a new hot water system costs in Perth, or read how to choose the right hot water system if you are still deciding between gas, electric, solar and heat pump. If the upfront cost is the sticking point, our winter upgrade financing offer spreads it over time.
