Electric Hot Water Systems

Pretty much every second house in Australia has got an electric storage tank sitting out the back, and for good reason. They're the cheapest to buy, don't need any gas connection so you can put one nearly anywhere, and they just keep going for years with bugger all attention. If your street doesn't have mains gas or you just want something that works without a heap of fuss, electric is usually the way to go.

We're a crew of licensed plumbers based in Canning Vale and we handle electric hot water jobs all across Thornlie, Willetton, Riverton and the wider south-east Perth region. Everything you'd probably want to know is down below.

How electric storage systems work

It's basically an insulated tank with one or two heating elements inside. A thermostat controls those elements, holds the water at whatever temperature you've set so it's ready when someone turns on a tap. Hot water comes out the top, cold water enters at the bottom and gets heated up. There's not much to the whole thing really, and that simplicity is what makes them last so long without causing you headaches.

Tanks start from as small as 25 litres for a single outlet, all the way up to 400 litre units that'll keep a big family happy. Choosing the right size matters though, which we go into more detail on in our hot water systems guide.

Off-peak electricity

So the big advantage with electric storage that a lot of people like, you can run it on a controlled off-peak tariff. That just means your system heats water overnight when electricity is cheaper, then it sits there full and ready for the daytime. All your heating happens during those cheaper hours, so the savings on your power bill can be quite significant compared to running on a standard tariff.

There is a catch though, and there's always one, off-peak tanks need to be big enough to store an entire day's worth of hot water because they really only heat overnight. If your household keeps emptying the tank out, you can switch to a continuous or boosted tariff that tops it up during daylight hours too. We'll sit down with you and figure out the right tank size and tariff based on how your household actually uses hot water, not just what sounds good on paper.

When electric suits your home

Electric hot water tends to be the best option when:

• Your property has no mains gas connection
• You want the lowest upfront purchase and installation cost
• You have space for a larger off-peak tank to keep running costs down
• You're after a simple, reliable system that's cheap to repair
• You may later add rooftop solar panels to offset the electricity used

That said, if running costs are really your main concern, it's worth looking into heat pumps. They're basically electric systems that work a whole lot more efficiently. Our electric vs gas vs solar hot water comparison goes through the details if you want to see how they all stack up.

Common electric hot water repairs

Because the design isn't that complicated, most faults with electric systems end up being quick and cheap to fix rather than needing a whole new system. These are the problems we come across most often.

Failed heating element

No hot water at all, or maybe the water's only getting lukewarm, that's usually a burnt-out element. It's a pretty standard repair and costs way less than replacing the whole system. Most tanks actually have two elements in them so if just one goes you might still get some heat, just not enough.

Faulty thermostat

Your thermostat controls how hot the water gets. If it's coming out scalding, or never quite warm enough, or the system keeps tripping the safety cut-out, nine times out of ten it's the thermostat causing it. Good news is it's a cheap part to swap.

Leaking tank or valves

The pressure and temperature relief valve is supposed to let a bit of water out occasionally so you should get it checked now and then. A steady drip from the valve itself can usually be fixed pretty easy, but if water's pooling from the tank body that's internal corrosion and a leaking tank just can't be repaired, you'll need a new one.

Sacrificial anode wear

Every storage tank has got this rod inside called a sacrificial anode, and what it does is corrode itself instead of letting the steel tank corrode. Swapping that anode out every few years is probably the single best thing you can do to stop your tank from failing early.

Repairs, safety and licensing

Electric hot water systems involve plumbing work and electrical connections both. Over here in Western Australia, the plumbing and installation side has to be done by someone with a plumber's licence, and any hard-wired electrical work needs a licensed electrician. You really don't want to muck around with DIY on something that's combining water, mains pressure and 240 volts electricity. Getting a licensed tradesperson in keeps you safe and makes sure your warranty stays valid too.

When your electric system packs it in and you've got no hot water we try to get out there fast, usually same day. And if it's happened at some horrible hour of the night our emergency plumbers are available around the clock.

Getting the most from your electric system

A bit of basic maintenance really does make a difference with these tanks. Changing the sacrificial anode every few years is the biggest thing, it costs a fraction of what a new tank would cost and it genuinely extends how long your system lasts. Getting the pressure and temperature relief valve checked periodically matters too because a valve that's seized up is actually a real safety issue. If your water starts looking discoloured or the tank seems to be taking longer to heat up, don't just ignore it and hope for the best. Getting in early with a service call often catches a small problem before it turns into a complete system failure. Working these checks into your general maintenance plumbing keeps everything ticking along nicely for years.

Something people overlook is thermostat settings. Set it too low and bacteria can grow in the tank, too high and you're burning through electricity plus risking scalding. A licensed plumber will dial it into that safe efficient sweet spot and can install tempering valves at the taps if you need extra protection against burns.

We work with trusted brands like Rheem, Dux, Vulcan and Bosch, and we'll match a solid unit to your household and what you're looking to spend. Whether it's a quick element swap or a full new tank install, give our licensed Canning Vale plumbers a call or request a quote today and we'll give you straight answers and honest pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Now rewrite the article following ALL rules. Output the ENTIRE article: H1 first (verbatim), then TL;DR, intro, all '##' sections (headings verbatim), any reviews (verbatim), FAQ, and the Related line + CTA. No commentary, no notes, no code fences.