- 300+ five-star reviews · VBA accredited plumbers
- Gas, electric, continuous flow, heat pump and solar, all makes and models
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · Book online
Licensed and insured · Police checked and first aid verified · Australian owned and operated
Why plan your install with OnCall
- More than 15 years of plumbing across Melbourne
- 300+ five-star reviews on Google
- VBA accredited, licensed and insured plumbers
- Advice on the system, not just the fitting: water use, household size and running costs
- Charged by the job, not by the hour: approved by you before work starts
- Police checked and first aid verified plumbers in your home
What customers say about OnCall
"Aiden was very professional and on time to the job. Got it done and dusted faster than I expected."
Eren, Google review
When you need a new hot water installation
This page is for jobs you can plan. If your current unit has just failed and you need hot water back fast, that's a hot water system replacement instead. Planned installs usually fall into one of four groups:
- New builds and extensions. A new system sized for the house from day one, positioned where it makes sense for the pipe runs.
- Renovations. A new bathroom or kitchen is the right moment to rethink where the unit sits and what type it is.
- Upgrades. The household has grown, you're running out of hot water, or the running costs have crept up.
- Relocations. The unit's in the way, in the wrong spot, or needs to move outside.
Hot water systems in Melbourne: choosing the right one
There's no single best system. The right one depends on how much hot water you use, how many people are in the house, which utilities you have (mains gas, bottled gas, off-peak electricity), the space available and the long-term running costs. Here's how the five main types compare in Melbourne homes.
| System | Tends to suit | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Gas storage | Family homes on mains gas | Steady supply from a tank; needs flue clearance and a gas connection |
| Electric storage | Units, smaller homes, homes on off-peak | Simple to fit; tank must be sized for the household if it heats overnight |
| Continuous flow | Gas homes short on space, renovations | Heats on demand so it won't run out; needs adequate gas supply and power |
| Heat pump | Homes moving off gas, efficiency upgrades | Low running costs; needs outdoor airflow and thought about noise placement |
| Solar | Homes with a suitable roof | Collectors on the roof, electric or gas boost for cloudy days |
Many new Melbourne homes are now built all-electric, so heat pump and electric options come up more often on new builds. Your plumber will talk through the trade-offs in plain English. See heat pump hot water or continuous flow hot water for more on those systems.
Our installation process
Every install follows the same four steps, built around our assess, explain, approve, fix approach.
- Assessment and system selection. We look at your water usage, household size, available utilities and long-term running costs, then explain the options that suit. You approve the system and the price before anything happens.
- Safe disconnection and removal. If there's an old unit, we disconnect it safely, remove it, and check the connections and fittings.
- Installation and testing. The new system goes in, then we test every hot tap, the temperature control and the safety valves.
- Final commissioning. We check pressure levels and recovery rates so the system delivers what it should from the first shower.
Hot water upgrades
Upgrading usually comes down to one of three things: you're running out, the unit's costing too much to run, or you want to move away from gas. A bigger tank, a continuous flow unit or a heat pump might each fix the problem, but in different ways and at different running costs.
We'll ask how the household actually uses hot water, back-to-back showers in the morning, a big bath at night, a dishwasher running in the day, before suggesting anything. If you're upgrading to a heat pump or solar system, read our hot water rebates in Victoria guide and check current eligibility on the official sites first.
Hot water system relocation
Moving a hot water unit is more than unbolting it and carrying it across the yard. The new spot needs:
- water connections, and a drain point for the relief valve and any overflow
- a gas line with correct flue clearances for gas units, or a suitable power supply for electric and heat pump units
- airflow for a heat pump, ideally away from bedroom windows and neighbours
- a sensible distance from the main bathroom and kitchen, because a longer pipe run means a longer wait for hot water at the tap
We'll tell you what's involved before you commit. If the new location needs electrical work beyond the plumber's scope, such as a new circuit, we'll say so and recommend a licensed electrician.
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · 300+ five-star reviews · Price approved before work starts
Who we install for
- Homeowners building, extending, renovating or upgrading.
- Property owners and landlords replacing an inefficient system between tenancies. See rental property hot water.
- Strata managers planning work across apartment units. See strata hot water.
- Cafés, restaurants and small businesses that have outgrown their current system. See commercial hot water.
Pricing: what to expect
We charge by the job, not by the hour. Your plumber assesses the site and your needs, explains the options, and gives you a clear price before work starts.
What moves the price:
- the system type, size and brand you choose
- whether an old unit has to be removed
- how far the new unit is from existing gas, water and power connections
- relocation work, new pipe runs or a new drain point
- access, roof-mounted solar collectors and tight spaces take more work
- compliance parts, such as a tempering valve for bathroom outlets
No work starts without your approval. More detail on hot water repair cost.
How it works
- Call or book online. Ring 1800 571 216 or book online. Tell us your suburb, what you have now and what you're planning.
- Site assessment. A plumber looks at the space, the connections and how you use hot water.
- Options and price. We explain the systems that suit and give you a clear price.
- You approve, we install. We book the job in and install the system.
- Tested and handed over. We test, commission and show you the controls before we leave.
Installation questions
Which hot water system is best for my home?
It depends on your household size, water use, available utilities and running costs. We'll explain the options that suit your home and let you decide.
Can you install any brand?
Yes. We install all makes and models of gas, electric, continuous flow, heat pump and solar systems.
Do you remove the old system?
Yes. If there's an existing unit, we disconnect it safely, remove it, and check the connections and fittings before the new one goes in.
Can you move my hot water system to a different spot?
Usually, yes. The new location needs water, drainage, and gas or power, and we'll tell you what's involved before you commit.
Should I switch from gas to a heat pump?
For many Melbourne homes it's worth considering, especially if you're moving off gas. See heat pump hot water for what a conversion involves.
Are there rebates for a new hot water system?
There may be for heat pump and solar systems through Solar Victoria and the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. Check current eligibility and amounts on the official sites, and see our rebates guide.
How much does a hot water installation cost?
It depends on the system, the site and any relocation or compliance work. We charge by the job and you approve the price before we start.
Do I need an electrician as well?
Sometimes. If the install needs electrical work beyond the plumber's scope, such as a new circuit for a heat pump, we'll tell you and recommend a licensed electrician.
Planning a new hot water system? Let's get it right first time.
A licensed OnCall plumber can assess your home, explain the options in plain English, and, once you approve the price, install it properly.
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · Book online
300+ five-star reviews · VBA accredited · Price approved before work starts
What happens next: we'll confirm your details, give you pre-arrival advice if you need it, and send a plumber. You'll get ETA updates on the way.