Gas hot water systems

Gas hot water systems remain a favoured option, especially in newer builds where narrow lots make it hard to accommodate a 650mm wide storage tank along the side of the house. In Nambour and surrounding areas, many properties are tied into natural gas mains, which usually offer a significantly cheaper supply than bottled LPG cylinders. Instantaneous natural gas and LPG hot water units are compact — roughly the size of a small suitcase — and can be wall-mounted. These tankless systems save valuable space, a real advantage as block sizes reduce. Most models employ electronic ignition instead of a continuous pilot light, cutting gas use over time, but they need electricity to run, so there’s no hot water during a blackout because there’s no stored volume. LPG hot water arrangements, although widespread, have grown more expensive once delivery, handling and cylinder rental are factored in, often making them pricier to operate than an off-peak electric hot water system. Typically you’ll require two 45kg gas bottles to ensure reliable service. In some newer estates or planned communities without natural gas, developments may be fed by a central LPG network with metered distribution. That removes bottle rental fees but commonly ties you to a single gas supplier. Where natural gas mains are available, the supply is usually 25–45% cheaper than LPG bottles. Be aware, however, many suppliers now add service fees exceeding $50 per quarterly account in addition to actual usage charges. Unlike occasional gas uses such as cooking or barbecuing, hot water heating consumes substantially more gas, so both efficiency and supply costs should be weighed when choosing a system.