Electric Hot Water Heater

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Licensed hot water plumbers across Brisbane, Perth & Adelaide

G★★★★★
4.6 · 2,000+ Google reviews

When your electric hot water system stops heating or starts leaking, you want it sorted fast, especially in the cold months. Our licensed plumbers repair and replace electric hot water systems of every brand and size, and we aim to be there the same day.

From a failed element or thermostat to a full replacement, we give you an upfront fixed price and get your hot water back to a safe, reliable temperature.

Why choose Same Day Trades for electric hot water?

We are local, licensed and insured plumbers who do this work every day, so we get it right the first time, with no mess and no surprises on the invoice.

Fully licensed and insured plumbers
Upfront fixed pricing before we start
Same-day service where we can, with 24/7 phones
Workmanship guaranteed and the job left clean
Servicing Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide

Whatever the job, you get honest advice and a tidy, professional result.

Why choose an electric hot water system?

Electric hot water systems are the most popular choice in Australian homes for good reason: they are the cheapest to buy, simple to install, and work anywhere there is a power connection, with no need for gas. They are reliable, come in a wide range of sizes, and can run on a cheaper off-peak tariff to keep running costs down. Whether you are replacing an old electric unit, installing hot water in a home without gas, or simply want the most affordable system to get in, electric is often the practical answer. We supply, install, repair and replace electric hot water systems across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, with an upfront fixed price.

How electric hot water works

An electric storage system heats water using an electric element inside an insulated tank, much like a giant kettle, and keeps it hot and ready for use. A thermostat controls the temperature, switching the element on when the water cools and off when it reaches the set point. The tank stores the heated water until you need it, and refills and reheats as you draw it off. Many electric systems can run on an off-peak tariff, heating overnight when power is cheaper. It is a simple, proven technology with few moving parts, which is part of why electric systems are reliable and affordable to buy and install.

Off-peak, continuous and solar-boost tariffs

One of the biggest factors in running an electric hot water system is the tariff it runs on. Off-peak heats the water overnight when electricity is cheapest, which significantly cuts running costs but needs a large enough tank to last the day. Continuous (peak) heats whenever needed, giving endless hot water but at a higher rate. Many homes use a controlled or boosted arrangement in between. Choosing the right tariff and tank size together is the key to keeping an electric system affordable to run. We will advise which tariff suits your household and size the tank accordingly, so you have enough hot water without overpaying.

Choosing the right size

Getting the tank size right is especially important for electric systems, because an off-peak unit must hold enough hot water to last the whole day on a single overnight heat. As a rough guide, a 1 to 2 person home suits a 125 to 170 litre tank on continuous, or larger on off-peak; a 3 to 4 person home suits 250 to 315 litres; and a 5 or more person home suits 315 litres or more, with off-peak systems sized up further. Peak demand matters too. We assess your household size, usage and tariff on site and recommend the right capacity, so you never run out of hot water or pay to heat more than you use.

Common electric hot water problems

We repair all common electric hot water faults, including:

No hot water at all, often a failed heating element or thermostat, or a tripped circuit
Water not hot enough, usually a faulty thermostat or a failed element
Water too hot, typically a thermostat fault
Leaks from valves, connections or the tank
Discoloured or smelly water, often a corroded anode
Noises from sediment build-up
Tripping the circuit, which points to an electrical fault

We diagnose the real cause and repair it, or advise replacement if the tank has failed, always with an upfront price.

Heating element and thermostat faults

The two most common electric hot water repairs are the heating element and the thermostat, and the symptoms often overlap. A failed element stops heating the water, so you get cold water or run out quickly, and over time elements can burn out or get coated in scale, losing efficiency. A faulty thermostat can leave the water too cold, too hot, or cause the element to run constantly. Both are repairable parts on an otherwise sound tank, so replacing them is usually far cheaper than a new system. We test which component has failed and replace it, restoring reliable hot water without the cost of a full replacement.

The sacrificial anode and tank life

Inside every electric storage tank is a sacrificial anode, a rod that corrodes in place of the tank, protecting the steel from rusting through. Over the years the anode is used up, and once it is gone, the tank itself starts to corrode and will eventually leak. Replacing the anode periodically, before it is fully consumed, can extend the life of a tank significantly and is a worthwhile maintenance step on a system that is otherwise sound. Discoloured or smelly hot water is often a sign the anode needs attention. We can check and replace the anode as preventive maintenance to get more years out of your tank.

Repair or replace your electric system?

Whether to repair or replace comes down to the age of the system and the fault. If your tank is under about 8 to 10 years old and the problem is a repairable part, an element, thermostat or valve, a repair is usually the best value. Once a system is older, leaking from the tank body, or needing repeated repairs, replacement is the smarter choice, and the opportunity to consider a more efficient option. We give you an honest assessment and a price for both repair and replacement, so you can decide, rather than pouring money into an old tank that is near the end of its life.

Electric vs gas, heat pump and solar

Electric storage is the cheapest to buy but the most expensive to run of the main options, so when replacing, it is worth weighing up. Gas is cheaper to run if you have a connection. A heat pump uses up to 70% less energy than standard electric and is usually rebate-eligible. Solar has the lowest running costs of all. Electric remains the best choice where budget is the priority, there is no gas, or for a simple replacement. We will explain the upfront and running costs of each honestly, so you can balance what you spend now against years of running costs.

Upgrading to a heat pump

If you are replacing an electric storage system, it is worth considering a heat pump, which is essentially a highly efficient electric system that uses up to 70% less energy. A heat pump draws heat from the air to warm the water rather than using an element directly, so it runs much cheaper, and it is usually eligible for government rebates that offset much of the higher purchase price. It still runs on electricity, so no gas connection is needed. For many households replacing an old electric unit, a heat pump pays for itself over time through lower bills. We can explain whether a heat pump suits your home and apply any rebates.

How much does an electric system cost?

Electric storage systems are the most affordable to buy and install, which is a key part of their appeal. As a general guide, installed electric storage usually runs around $800 to $2,500 depending on size and brand, cheaper than gas, heat pump or solar. Repairs are far less, with an element or thermostat replacement being an affordable job. Switching to off-peak may need a tariff change, and upgrading to a heat pump costs more up front but saves on running. We give you an upfront fixed price before any work, whether a repair or a replacement, so you know the cost in advance.

Tempering valves and compliance

Every new electric hot water installation must include a compliant tempering valve, which blends hot and cold to deliver water to your bathroom at a safe 50 degrees, preventing scalding, as well as the correct temperature and pressure relief valves. These safety components are a legal requirement and a key reason installation must be done by a licensed professional. Electric hot water also involves an electrical connection, which must be carried out safely and to standard. We fit and test all the required valves and connections as a standard part of every installation, so your system is safe and fully compliant.

Same-day electric hot water service

No hot water is miserable, especially in winter, so we treat electric hot water faults and replacements as a priority. Our phones are answered around the clock, and we can usually get a licensed plumber to you the same day across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. We carry common elements, thermostats and systems, so many repairs are done on the spot, and where a replacement is needed we can often supply and install the same day. We will diagnose the fault, give you an upfront price for the repair or replacement, and get your hot water working again fast.

Licensed, guaranteed plumbers

Electric hot water work involves water and electrical connections, so it should always be handled by a licensed plumber, with electrical work done safely and to standard. Our team installs, repairs and replaces electric storage systems and heat pumps, fits the required safety and tempering valves, and tests everything, and we back our work. You get honest advice on repair versus replacement, help weighing up electric against more efficient options, upfront fixed pricing, and same-day service where we can. For a plumber near you for electric hot water, we cover Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Electric hot water FAQs

Why is my electric hot water not working?

The most common causes are a failed heating element or thermostat. Both are usually repairable. If the tank is leaking, the unit needs replacing.

Why does my hot water run out quickly?

Often a failed element (so only part of the tank heats), a faulty thermostat, or a tank too small for your household. We can diagnose and fix it.

How much does an electric hot water system cost?

As a guide, electric storage runs around $800 to $2,500 installed. A repair like an element or thermostat is far cheaper. We quote upfront.

Should I switch to a heat pump?

Heat pumps use up to 70% less energy and attract rebates, so they cost much less to run. The upfront price is higher, and we can compare it for your home.

Why does my hot water system trip the safety switch?

Usually a faulty heating element leaking current to earth. A licensed electrician or plumber can test and replace it.

Can you repair my electric hot water system?

Often, yes. Elements, thermostats and valves are repairable. A leaking tank, however, means replacement.

Is electric or gas hot water better?

Electric is cheaper to buy; gas is cheaper to run if you have a connection. Heat pump and solar cost the least to run overall.

Do you offer same-day service?

Yes. We carry common parts and units and can often repair or replace the same day across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

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Grace Vinci

I had my Safety switch/ circuit breakers replaced by Jesse. He was helpful, polite and thorough, explained and shown me what needed to be done. He was informative also explained all options available to me giving me a choice, which I appreciated. Before leaving Jesse also made sure everything was in working order before leaving the premises.

Mick Webster

Robert Green

Coda, Kosta and brad excellent service by all.

Joy Bailey

Michael did a great job for us, and was super courteous and friendly. Very satisfied! Thank you!

Kathryn Fischer

Thank you for your help and advice with our aircon.

Patricia Howard

Bradley was very accomodating and clearly explained to me what may happen in the future . I trusted him straight away and will definitely use him again I actually joined up on a monthly scheme once he explained the benefits to me.