The typical age of a hot water system before it needs replacing is generally 7-10 years. However, with advancements in technology, some are now expected to last for longer. Have a look at your warranty for guidance. For example, some gas continuous flow systems come with a 12-year warranty, so they are expected to live a bit longer. If you are finding you are constantly running out of hot water, your system may be too small for your needs. In this case it's a good idea to discuss the option of a larger system with your plumber. If your system is relatively young, repair might be the best option.
While there are many different hot water systems on the market, not all of them are easy to identify. There are a few simple things you can look for that may help you identify what type of system you have.
Gas Storage:
Gas storage systems are usually box shaped and will have 3 (usually copper) pipes running into them. They tend to also have warm gas coming out of the top of the system in the form of a vent. If you remove the front access panel, you will also see a blue flame known as a pilot light.
Electric Storage:
Electric storage systems tend to be round and have a little cap at the top. You will notice that there are only two pipes connected to the tank with a bulky panel with an electrical cable coming out of it. Electric systems don't have any exhaust and have no odour.
Continuous Flow:
Continuous flow hot water systems are small rectangular boxes that have a little vent on the front. Continuous flow systems are usually mounted on a frame or directly onto the wall of a building. You should also see 3 copper pipes coming out of the bottom of the system, as well as 1 electrical cable. Some continuous flow systems also have a small display screen that displays different information about the system, typically the temperature of the water. This is known as a controller.
Heat Pumps:
Heat pumps can come in either an integrated (all-in-one) model or a ‘split’ (two part) model. An integrated heat pump is one piece and looks like a large cylinder with a mesh vent at the top. A split heat pump comes in two pieces and looks like a large cylinder accompanied by a smaller, rectangle box with a fan on it. You can usually hear a heat pump running when it is operating or heating water. A heat pump also has an electrical cable and two copper pipes coming out of it. Some Heat pumps also have a control panel and/or a button.
Solar:
Solar hot water uses a storage tank which is a large cylinder as well as a system in which water is pumped up onto your roof using either a series of black tubes or flat plate style solar panels. If you can see pipe work leading up to your roof, and have seen a bank of tubes, or flat plat style solar panels, there is a good chance that your water is being heated using solar energy. Thermann solar systems are electric where the tank is heated by an element in times where the sun is not as exposed. This is to avoid the water reaching unsafe temperatures leading to bacteria build up or legionella.
Thermann has a range of both Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Natural Gas (NG) systems:
It is important to note that some gas systems require different pressures and volumes to run effectively. It is therefore recommended to speak to your plumber about what gas infrastructure you have on site and what is the best system for your situation.
Thermann has a range of systems that use electricity to power the system:
It is important to know the electrical requirements for the system. While some systems can simply plug in, others will require a trained professional to 'hard wire' them to a power source.
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There are many factors to consider when purchasing a new, or replacing an old, hot water system. It is important to talk with your plumber about the following things:
• The time of day you use hot water? • Your house size? • How many people live in your household? • The energy sources available in your location? • The tariffs available to you? |
Although to the untrained eye, hot water systems can look very similar, there is usually a few simple things to look for to identify which hot water system you have:
Gas systems:
Electric systems:
Thermann hot water systems are available from all Reece Plumbing stores in Australia and New Zealand.
Electric hot water systems have benefits when it comes to being a heat source for hot water. Here are some of the main benefits of an electric hot water system:
Speak to your plumber about what the benefits of electricity hot water systems.
Yes, if you have electricity on site, then an electric system can replace a gas system.
However, there are some things to consider:
The location of the pipework:
There are some subtle differences when it comes to changing over from a gas system to an electrical one, including where the pipework is situated. Your plumber may need to alter the path of the water pipework in order to fit the new system.
The existing gas line:
You will need to ensure that the existing gas line is blanked off or 'capped' to prevent gas from leaking into the atmosphere. This must be done by a licenced professional, as this can be dangerous and a high-risk fire hazard.
Consult with your plumber to see if swapping to electric is the right choice for your situation.
It is not unusual for a small quantity of water to discharge from the PTR valve during the heating of water in your storage tank. The amount of discharge will depend on hot water usage and size of the storage tank.
As a guide, the PTR valve will discharge about 2% of the volume of the water heated.
Continuous leakage of water from the PTR valve may indicate a possible problem with the valve and is most likely due to a build-up of foreign matter. In this case, try gently raising the easing lever on the PTR valve for a few seconds, then release gently. This may dislodge a small particle of foreign matter and rectify the fault.
If this doesn’t rectify the issue, we recommend consulting with a licensed plumber to have your hot water system tested.
With an electric storage water heater, ensure that the power supply circuit breaker has not “tripped”. If your water heater is on a timed tariff such as off-peak, ensure this is operating correctly.
If the above is set up and operating correctly, there may be a possible problem with the element(s) and/or thermostat(s) in which case, we recommend consulting with a licensed plumber to have these tested.
Regular servicing will help to extend the life of the water heater and keep it operating safely and efficiently. Tasks like checking the PTR valve, inspecting the sacrificial anodes & flushing the tanks help to increase the lifespan of your hot water system.
Full breakdown of the system maintenance for your hot water system can be found here.
Some of these checks and service tasks can be completed by the homeowner but others will require a licensed plumber.
Both LPG and Natural Gas have benefits when it comes to being a heat source for hot water. Here are some of the main benefits of gas hot water systems:
Speak to your plumber about the benefits of gas hot water systems.
This will depend on what infrastructure you have on the premises. If you have gas on site, then it is possible to switch to a gas system, however there are a couple of things to consider:
Is the system inside or outside?
For indoor especially, you will need to consider the space you have, is there room for fluing (Exhaust fumes). What is the price of gas in your area?
What size gas line there is?
Some systems require a larger gas line to run. This means that you may need to consider having your plumber upgrade your gas line.
Speak to your plumber about whether switching to a gas system is the right thing for you.
It is not unusual for a small quantity of water to discharge from the PTR valve during the heating of water in your storage tank. The amount of discharge will depend on hot water usage and size of the storage tank.
As a guide, the PTR valve will discharge about 2% of the volume of the water heated.
Continuous leakage of water from the PTR valve may indicate a possible problem with the PTR valve. This is most likely due to a build-up of foreign matter. In this case, try gently raising the easing lever on the PTR valve for a few seconds, then release gently. This may dislodge a small particle of foreign matter and rectify the fault.
If this doesn’t rectify the issue, we recommend consulting with a licensed plumber to have your hot water system tested.
With a gas storage water heater, confirm the gas burner and/or pilot is on and operating. If not, see Lighting Gas Water Heaters in the Thermann Owners Guide on page 3.
If the unit is lighting but not staying alight, there may be a possible problem with some of the components within the unit in which case, we recommend consulting with a licensed plumber to have these tested.
Regular servicing will help to extend the life of the water heater and keep it operating safely and efficiently. Tasks like checking the PTR valve, inspecting the sacrificial anodes & flushing the tanks help to increase the lifespan of your hot water system.
A full breakdown of the system maintenance for your hot water system can be found here.
Some of these checks and service tasks can be completed by the owner but others will require a licensed plumber.
There are various factors that can cause continuous flow units to run cold or fluctuate in temperature. First, we recommend trying the following steps before consulting with a licensed plumber.
If this doesn’t help, there may be an external issue with the water supply (cold water inlet filter may have debris or be restricted) or incorrect gas pressures/supply going to the unit, and we recommend consulting with a licensed plumber.
As the water travels from the hot water system to the fixtures, some temperature can be lost within the plumbing pipework, and this can increase the further away the fixtures are from the hot water system.
Small adjustments can be made to the Thermann Continuous Flow unit to compensate for some of this temperature loss. Adjustments to the hot water system can only be made by a licensed plumber while still ensuring the installation complies with the Australian Standards.
Various factors can cause Continuous Flow hot water systems to stop providing hot water and the most common are issues with the gas, water, or power supply(s).
We recommend trying the following steps before consulting with a licensed plumber as these questions will help inform your plumber as to what the issue with the system may be.
If there is an error with your Continuous Flow unit or if you have an error code displayed in your controllers (if installed), we recommend consulting with a licensed plumber.
Depending on the scenario, the Thermann Continuous Flow unit may require spare parts, and in some cases, this can save you having to replace the whole hot water unit when it may not be required.
Selected spare parts are available and can be ordered through the network of Reece Plumbing branches across Australia. We recommend consulting with a licensed plumber for both the identification of which spare parts may be required as well as the installation of the spare parts.
Thermann Continuous Flow units at times will sound like the unit has begun operating even when no hot water is being used. This process is known as Periodic Initialization and will happen for approximately 10 seconds every 24 hours from when power is connected to the unit.
The purpose of this is to prevent the water valve from sticking inside your unit and ensure longevity of the hot water system and its parts.
In some scenarios if the power supply to the unit has been interrupted (eg. power failure) at say 3:00AM, the 24-hour cycle for the periodic initialization will now occur at this time every day.
If this is causing noise issues for the household (eg. if installed near a bedroom), simply find an appropriate time of the day, and follow the below steps.
While there are many different factors that go into what makes a hot water system efficient, generally the order of efficiency would consist of the following:
Solar Boosted:
These systems use the sun's energy to primarily heat the water. In cases of high sun exposure, a boosted solar system can use almost 100% solar efficiency. This would mean that it would cost next to nothing to heat your water.
Gas Continuous Flow:
Gas continuous flow only uses the gas to heat the water when you need it. This means that when you don't need hot water, the system will shut off until it is needed again. Gas continuous flow systems use a star rating, with the most common being 6 star.
However, Thermann has a system that is of a 7 star equivalency. The Thermann C7 uses the exhaust gases to pre-heat the water creating a faster and more efficient water heating system.
Heat Pump:
A heat pump works much like a refrigerator, but in reverse. Heat pumps turn a special gas into vapour by drawing in the ambient air and pressurising it, causing the vapour to hear up. . This vapour is then pumped around the water tank using a special condenser. This heats up the water inside the tank and then you're your home. Because the main fuel source is essentially air, a Heat Pump is up to 4 times more efficient than that of an electric storage tank.
Storage:
Storage systems also have a star rating which indicates their efficiency, however storage systems are constantly keeping the water in the tank up to a constant temperature, so they inherently use more electricity and/or gas.
Rebates for hot water systems vary per state and per system. You can find out more information from energy.gov.au
Yes. Your Thermann system has a built-in booster to allow for days when there isn't enough sunlight captured. So, you'll never be left without hot water!
Rebates for hot water systems vary per state and per system. You can find out more information from energy.gov.au
Ensure controller and pump unit is plugged in and has power.
Controller needs to be powered on to monitor the temperature of water in the tank and manifold and operate appropriately.
Ensure pump is operating and cycling water between the manifold and tank. Damage can be caused to the manifold if water is not cycled periodically.
All spare parts can be sourced via your local Reece Plumbing outlet.
Please consult their website for your closest location > Storefinder | Reece
If the solar contribution during the day is not enough to raise the water to a suitable temperature, an electric or gas booster can provide additional heating. During sufficient sunny weather, the solar collector will normally be able to provide enough hot water, but during winter months and overcast days boosting may be required.
All Thermann Solar units will have either and Electric or Gas booster option fitted. Please consult with your Plumber to assess the function of the booster and rectify if required.
Solar collectors are required to be installed so that they face no more than 45° east or west of true north (between NE and NW).
Ideal installation orientation is facing true North with an installation angle that is typically +/- 10° of your location’s latitude.
All Thermann systems have freeze protection built in. This is provided by the controller which will circulate water via the pump through the collector once the temperature falls below 4°C.
This freeze protection method has passed Frost Level 2 protection (down to -15°C).
A heat pump uses a special gas to convert the ambient temperature of the atmosphere to produce a heat that wraps around the system to heat the water inside a tank. Because the main fuel source is essentially air, a Heat Pump is significantly more efficient than an electric storage tank.
Rebates for hot water systems vary per state and per system. You can find out more information from energy.gov.au
In most cases, yes. These temperatures won't stop the system from working, however the amount of hot water it produces each hour will slow down slightly. To dramatically impact the performance of the system, the temperature would need to remain below zero for extended periods of time, which is not a common occurrence in most parts of Australia.
The Thermann Hybrid heat pump has been designed with the future in mind, and is compatible with PV solar.
The Solar PV-ready feature allows the heat pump to heat to a higher temperature of 65°C (default is 61°C). This occurs when the power supply generated by the PV system is guaranteed to cover the heat pump power demand (600W average during reheating).
To achieve this, the heat pump requires a 240 VAC signal wire connection from a suitable Solar PV inverter relay that is programmed to activate when a predetermined PV energy power level is reached (eg. 1000 W). Activation of the relay signals to the heat pump that the solar PV production is well and truly above the heat pump power requirements and so the unit increases the default setpoint temperature from 61°C to 65°C.
An additional 4°C for the entire heated volume means extra stored energy, which is obtained at no cost to the end-user and delays the need for additional electrical energy later on.
A heat pump that runs all the time doesn’t necessarily signify that there is a problem. When it’s very cold outside, your heat pump will work harder to meet the hot water demands in your home. You should remember that heat pumps will run for longer than a traditional electric storage hot water systems but are still a much more efficient option in heating hot water.
You might notice that the heat pump runs longer in winter than it does in summer. Due to the lower air temperatures, the heat pump needs to run longer to effectively heat the water to the desired temperature within the storage tank.
If you notice that your heat pump is running constantly during summer as it does in winter, there could be an issue and we recommend consulting with a licensed plumber to have the unit inspected & tested.
Heat pumps have moving parts such as fans that do produce some noise when running. They also create sounds when the refrigerant found inside them changes from a liquid state to a gas.
Air movement is created by a large fan located inside the heat pump. The noise your heat pump fan produces should be consistent, smooth, and not overly loud. You may also hear a click just before your heat pump fan comes on.
Thermann Heat Pumps generally operate approximately 37dB to 45dB (depending on the model installed)
If you feel the Heat Pump hot water system is producing unusual sounds or higher sound levels than above, we recommend consulting with a licensed plumber to have the unit inspected & tested.
Various factors can cause Heat Pump hot water systems to stop providing hot water.
We recommend trying the following steps before consulting with a licensed plumber as these questions will help inform your plumber as to what the issue with the system may be.
If any of the above doesn’t rectify the issue, we recommend consulting with a licensed plumber to have your hot water system inspected & tested.
If you live in a cold climate and you use a lot of hot water, the reheat or recovery rate (litres per hour) can be quite different to warmer climates. This is affected by the:
The reheat rate may be slower when the ambient air temperature and incoming cold water is lower. Thermann Hybrid Heat Pumps have an electric boost element which can be turned on manually when there is a higher demand for hot water. This will help decrease the time it takes to heat the water in the storage cylinder but slightly increase the power consumption of the hot water system.
Thermann Split Heat Pumps utilise CO2 refrigerant gas which has higher rates of recovery compared to other heat pump system in the market.
If any of the above doesn’t rectify the issue, we recommend consulting with a licensed plumber to have your hot water system inspected & tested.