Looking for gas hot water systems?

Gas hot water systems are relatively widespread among Australian households. As their name suggests, they produce hot water using gas and come in several forms, including small units or thermodynamic water heaters. The latter allows its users to make real energy savings and save money on their bills on the long run!

The choice of a gas heating solution is particularly advantageous when you can connect to your natural gas distribution system. This fossil fuel is clean, you don’t need to store it and the principle of operation of these units is to burn the fuel to supply and heat your hot water system instantly or by storing the hot water produced. A wall-mounted gas system is affordable and guarantees gentle, even and comfortable heat throughout your water system.

Although more expensive than their electric counterparts who are a great way to save energy, these types of hot water systems are more economical in the long term because of the price of natural gas in Perth.

What are gas hot water systems?

In easy terms, gas hot water systems produce hot water by burning natural gas or LPG to heat water. This gas can either be natural gas supply from your distribution network or LPG.

The use of gas differs from that of an electric hot water system in the way it is heated: the electric model uses a resistance to heat the running water. Overall, this type of installation represent a great investment, which is why they are found in many homes across Australia.

Gas hot water heaters can be a stand-alone hot water unit or connected to a gas storage tank to supply hot water on an on-demand basis to the water heating circuit of a house.

What are the different types of gas water heaters?

There are two distinct types of gas water heaters available in Western Australia, instantaneous/continuous flow systems and storage water hot water systems:

• Instantaneous or continuous flow hot water, as the name suggests, deliver hot water instantly, without having to store it in a hot water storage tank.
• Conversely, the operating principle of storage hot water systems is similar to that of electric models. The fundamental difference between the two models lies in the heating element: in the case of the gas water heater, this is a burner that replaces the resistance of the electric appliance.

An instantaneous gas water heater produces hot water without a time limit. Since it does not have a hot water tank, it is particularly small, energy efficient and can fit perfectly into a small, concealed space. Depending on the quality of the devices offered on the market, it is possible to expect a flow rate of up to 30 L/min.

A storage system, on the other hand, stores water in a dedicated storage tank. Of the two models, it is undoubtedly the one that offers the greatest comfort since it allows a relatively constant temperature to be obtained and hot water to be stored for later use.

Compact and efficient, a wall-mounted gas unit is easy to install and fits perfectly into the smallest of spaces. A single service boiler for your domestic hot water is one of the most affordable energy systems.

There are also bath heaters available on the market that have a relatively high flow rate in order to heat bath water quickly on-demand.

What power should I choose for my gas hot water system?

The power required for your installation is calculated according to the type of use and the surface area of the house. The power of a hot water system corresponds to the quantity of energy it is potentially able to deliver per unit of time. It is therefore the speed with which hot water is supplied to the heating circuit.

To meet the domestic hot water and heating needs of a flat of less than 100 m², the appropriate output is between 23 and 28 kW. If the heating unit is oversized or undersized, it will work less and will consume more energy.

Venting the gases

Combustion will produce very dangerous waste gases, in particular carbon dioxide (CO²), which must be evacuated outside the house so as not to harm your health. Thus, the gases are evacuated by two systems: either by a chimney flue or by a proper venting system.

Greenhouse gas intensive hot water systems are not permitted to be installed in new buildings in Western Australia! These new units are generally installed outside of the house.

Registered and licensed plumbers should install such units as they know how to comply with the hot water system installation regulations in place in your area. 

Venting through a chimney is standard, but requires the installation of ventilation grilles in the walls to renew the air in the room. Venting through a flue consists of installing a flue through the outer wall or roof. The flue outlet will not protrude through the roof, unlike a chimney flue. The gas evacuation and the air supply are done by a double flow duct, or concentric. This water heater will therefore be airtight, following the same procedure as for the evacuation of smoke from an airtight pellet or wood stove. This evacuation system has several advantages: it does not require sweeping and provides a 4% to 5% higher thermal efficiency by reducing heat loss.

Pros and cons of each option

Gas instantaneous hot water systems

Continuous flow systems are the most basic and least expensive models. They are characterised by the appliance being switched on when the tap is opened. This type of gas hot water systems are intended for small houses (-90 m²) with a single bathroom.

Here are the pros and cons of gas instantaneous systems:

Gas storage systems

This type of system has a storage tank whose volume is generally at least 40 litres. This system provides the best comfort of use by providing hot water everywhere and at any time.

Hot water production by storage is therefore suitable for homes with several bathrooms and water outlets. It is therefore intended for large families for simultaneous use.

Here are the pros and cons of gas storage systems:

What are the stages in producing domestic hot water with gas?

Technically, gas hot water systems are quite specific compared to more recent models such as thermodynamic water systems like heat pumps or even solar water systems. This is the main reason why a professional tradesperson is often required to install or repair such equipment.

Apart from being supplied by natural gas or LPG, a number of steps are necessary for the operation of a gas water heater to produce Perth hot water:

1. supply of cold water to the lower part of the tank ;
2. heating of the cold water by the burner (pilot light on)
3. the water is heated or maintained at the correct temperature by the tap on your water heater.

Saving energy with a thermodynamic water heater

It is generally considered that, in addition to offering great performance, a gas hot water system also consumes less energy and is more cost effective than an electric hot water system.

However, there is another type of heater available on the market, called a thermodynamic tank, which is a kind of variation on the gas model and has a much higher energy performance. These devices are called heat pumps and their operating principle is based on ambient air.

A specific liquid that heats up in contact with the air is transformed into a gas and then heats up the water heater tank. The heat pump works on a similar principle overall.

Can you do anything to maintain a gas water heater?

If you want to increase the average life expectancy of your gas water heater, it is recommended that you have it checked and serviced regularly by a plumbing professional.

You may also want to clean it if you notice that it is used intensively. The presence of a large amount of scale or limescale can have a lasting effect on the functioning of a gas water heater. A more or less regular descaling operation can therefore preserve your appliance and solve this problem.

Limescale and corrosion

A gas water heater has an enamelled steel tank whose life is threatened by limescale and corrosion. Limescale will have a direct impact on energy consumption. Corrosion can cause a water leak if it penetrates the tank wall.

To protect your water heater against limescale, the best solution is to install a water softener, which will greatly reduce limescale build-up in the tank and in your other sanitary installations. In any case, your water heater should be descaled regularly to optimise its life span.

As with electric water heaters and storage tanks, corrosion can be prevented by installing an anode. This small anti-corrosion part is designed to be the first to be damaged to prevent holes from forming in the enamel layer of the tank.

In any case, if you notice that your gas water heater is making noise, do not hesitate to call a repairer to avoid any problems.

Contact us if you are interested in a new hot water system, gas systems to replace an existing hot water system or upgrade your old model! We offer free quotes, same day installation service and also provide repair and regular maintenance services on existing units. All work is carried by an experienced team offering professional service on major brands and at the lowest price!