Home Design Guides: Hot water

Instant hot water enhancements


Hot water emergencies

6 hot water emergencies - and how to deal with them

No hot water? Hot water tank leaking? Don't panic! Depending on what's wrong, there are a few basic steps you can follow to assess and control the situation.

Which hot water system should I buy?

How to choose a hot water system

The wrong hot water system can end up costing you far more than it needs to over the long term. Check our handy table to decide which is right for you.

Hot water systems

Which hot water systems are most efficient?

The wrong hot water system can easily account for the lion's share of your electricity consumption. In fact, electric tank systems are being phased out. Find out how different systems compare in terms of efficiency.

DIY solar hot water: not worth the risk!

Find out why DIY solar hot water kits are dangerous, and how they're likely to cost you much more than you bargained for.

Hot water system types

Hot water system types

There are a few different choices when it comes to types of hot water systems. Fuel types are one - and the heating mechanisms are another. Find out what's available, and what fits best with your household.

How to hire a plumber


Hot water performance considerations

Performance considerations for hot water systems

Getting the right hot water system for your particular needs is impor

Natural gas hot water system

Natural gas hot water systems

Modern natural gas hot water systems are a cost effective and efficient choice. Options exist for this fuel type to serve households of most sizes and levels of demand.

Electric hot water tank

Electric hot water systems

Electric systems are inefficient and relatively expensive to run. For this reason they are generally only favoured these days where no alternative is possible.

Solar hot water system

Solar hot water systems

Solar boosted systems are solar-based systems that use a gas or electricity booster to maintain a sufficient temperature, regardless of how much sun there is.

Gas cylinders

LPG hot water systems

LPG (or liquid petroleum gas) is very similar to natural gas, but is more expensive to use due to the higher price of the fuel.

Heat pump

Heat pump hot water systems

Heat pump hot water systems extract heat from the air using a heat exchanger. These systems are popular where solar and gas aren't a realistic option.

Home fuel cell (HFC) hot water systems

Home fuel cells create a lot of heat and in most cases incorporate a hot water system. HFCs are still prohibitively expensive though, and as a result are uncommon.

Geothermal hot water

Geothermal hot water systems

Geothermal systems pump refrigerant through underground pipes to draw heat from the ground. While relatively cheap to run, they are expensive to install and therefore fairly uncommon.

Continuous flow hot water system

Continuous flow hot water systems


Storage tank hot water

Storage tank hot water systems


Hybrid hot water system

Tank/tankless hybrid hot water systems


Temperature controllers


Hot water recirculation system

Hot water recirculation systems
