Compare the practical differences
| System | What to discuss | Useful starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump | Outdoor space, airflow, sound and heating schedule | An electric upgrade with site checks |
| Gas | Supply, storage or continuous flow, simultaneous demand | Homes with an existing gas connection |
| Electric storage | Tank capacity, element supply and tariff | Existing electric storage faults or replacement |
| Solar thermal | Collectors, tank, booster and roof access | An existing solar system or a considered new installation |
Read the property before comparing brochures
The location of the current unit, access to it, power or gas supply, roof layout and distance to frequently used outlets all affect the job. Give the installer these details early. An advertised heater can be a poor comparison if it assumes a different installation from yours.
An existing solar electricity array doesn't make every electric water heater free to operate. Heating times, available generation, other appliances, export tariffs and controller settings all matter. Similarly, keeping gas for another appliance changes the calculation compared with disconnecting gas entirely.
Send a hot-water enquiryPut your daily demand into the brief
Count the showers that run at the same time, note bath use and describe any unusually busy periods. Tell the installer if the household is likely to change. The brief should describe the demand to be served, rather than nominate a tank size without an assessment.
Use the system selector to produce a shortlist of questions. It doesn't replace a site visit or manufacturer's sizing guidance, and it doesn't produce energy-bill or rebate estimates. A provider should support a recommendation with the exact model and installation details.
Make the final comparison on the same basis
For each proposed option, ask for the total installed scope, expected servicing, product and labour warranty arrangements, and any relevant incentive conditions. Where a running-cost estimate is supplied, ask which consumption and tariff assumptions were used.
Once you've narrowed your options, send an enquiry with the current system, suburb and what you'd like to change. I'll route it to a suitable independent plumber for the next conversation.
Official information
For product support and current requirements, check the source that applies to your system.