Electric hot water system replacement

Electric hot water systems are one of the highest single energy users and greenhouse gas contributors in the home, accounting for 25 per cent of total energy use. To reduce the carbon footprint of households, electric hot water systems are being phased out across Australia.

The phase out refers to electric resistance hot water systems only. This is the most common type of electric hot water system. These systems were commonly installed in houses and townhouses built before 1 March 2006.

Since 1 March 2006, new houses and townhouses have been required to install a greenhouse-efficient hot water system (i.e. gas, solar or heat pump).

Since 1 January 2010 owners of existing houses and townhouses located in a reticulated natural gas area have been required to install a greenhouse-efficient system when their existing electric hot water system needs replacing. Householders do not need to replace existing electric hot water systems that are in good working order.

The electric hot water system phase out requirement is regulated through the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code.

If the homeowner is replacing an existing electric system that has failed and it is still covered for replacement under the manufacturer’s warranty, they are permitted to install an electric system. When a component of an existing electric system requires replacement this is also permitted.

At this stage, owners of homes located outside a reticulated natural gas area are still able to replace their existing electric hot water system with another electric system or voluntarily upgrade to a greenhouse-efficient system.

Natural Disaster Exemption

Where an existing electric hot water system in a gas reticulation area is damaged by a natural disaster event it can be replaced with another electric system. A licensed plumber must certify that the electric hot water system was damaged by a natural disaster.

Reticulated natural gas area

This is an area where the natural gas distributor could supply gas from the mains network to the property boundary at no cost to the property owner. If the property owner wants to connect their home to reticulated natural gas, they will be responsible for the internal connection costs from the property boundary to the hot water system. However, they have a choice of for their preferred greenhouse-efficient hot water system–solar, heat pump or gas.

To find out if your property is within a reticulated natural gas area check the Department’s online property search tool or contact the Natural Gas Connection hotline on 1800 007 427. A printable list of Queensland postcodes that are not currently located within a reticulated natural gas area ( 231 KB) is available.

Incentives

Incentives programs are currently available to help with the cost of replacing an electric hot water system with a solar or heat pump hot water system. For more information on the Queensland Government rebate visit the Office of Clean Energy website or phone 13 GET SOLAR (13 438 76527).

Tempering valves

In hot water storage systems, hot water must be heated to a minimum of 60°Celcius to prevent the growth of bacteria, such as Legionella. However, a tempering valve ensures that hot water is delivered to taps at a maximum 50°Celcius. This temperature is considered sufficient for hygiene purposes but effectively reduces the risk of scalding-related injuries from hot water. A tempering device is required to be fitted to all new and replacement hot water systems. They can be identified by a blue, green, orange (solar systems) or black plastic cap fitted as part of the system’s piping.

Solar and heat pump endorsement

From 1 January 2012, solar hot water and heat pump systems must be installed by a hot water installer with a Solar and Heat Pump endorsement from the Plumbing Industry Council.

For more information refer to the solar and heat pump hot water system endorsement approved course guidelines ( 231 KB).

Further information

For further information contact Building Codes Queensland.