Electric Hot Water Heaters
Electric hot water systems are by far the most common sort of hot water heaters in an Australian home. They have been made here in Australia for over 100 years. The technology hasn’t changed much over this time, just different materials are used and with thicker and denser insulation around the storage cylinders, this holds the temperature within for longer periods of time, therefore having less heat loss equals slightly better efficiency from electric hot water systems manufactured prior to 2000.
Working the same as a kettle with a heating element, they come in 3 different power ratings for the Queensland market, 1.8kw, 2.4kw and 3.6 kw (some areas have 4.8kw elements but few and far between in Queensland due to the draw of power required). This is the same throughout all brands like Rheem, Dux, Vulcan, AquaMAX, Rinnai electric hot water systems
Having different size elements does not equal different energy ratings, for example a hot water heater with a 1.8kw element (1800 watts) will use half the power as a 3.6kw (3600 watt) element but will take twice as long to heat the same body of water to the same temperature. Electric hot water system are manufactured out of mild steel tanks that are vitreous enamel lined internally and protected by a sacrificial anode and stainless steel. The old copper style water heaters are no longer available.
An electric hot water system typically accounts for at least one-third of your electricity bill, especially when you don’t have solar panels to generate and sell back electricity to the grid at a higher rate under Tariff 11. Tariff 11 is typically used for supplying power to general appliances and lighting 24/7 at a higher rate. However, if you have PV solar power, it won’t help power a hot water heater under Tariff 33, which guarantees 18 hours of power supply per day, except for 6 pm to 9 pm and 6 am to 9 am. Similarly, Tariff 31 provides electricity only during the lowest demands on the electrical grid, usually between 9 pm and 6 am.
It’s important to note that Tariff 31 may not provide enough power for hot water cylinders below the size of 250 liters when used by two or more people. Electric hot water systems come in different tank sizes ranging from 25 liters, which are suitable for kitchens and single sink applications, to 400 liters. The recommended size of the hot water system varies based on the number of people in the household.
There may be slight variations due to the amount of hot water used by occupants
50 litres & 80 litres = 1-2 people in a unit type home and only connected to tariff 11 and can not be connected to a off peak tariff to provide reliable hot water
125 litres = 2-3 people in a unit or small town house, when connected to tariff 33
160 litre = 2-4 people in a unit or small town house, when connected to tariff 33
250 litre = 2-4 people when connected to tariff 31 and is what is in most 3 bedroom homes built and up to 6 persons when connected to tariff 33
315 litre = 3-5 people when it is connected to tariff 31 and up to 7 persons on tariff 33
400 litre = 4-7 people when connected to tariff 31 and up to 9 people when it is connected to tariff 33 and 12 people on tariff 11
Brands of Electric Hot Water system available
Rheem is a well-known and established brand in the hot water heater industry, and they have been producing water heaters for over 100 years. Rheem’s products are widely available in many countries, and they offer a variety of water heaters that cater to both residential and commercial needs.
Rheem manufactures a large range of electric hot water heaters in Australia, Sydney for their mild steel Vitreous Enamel (VE) range and Melbourne for their stainless steel products, in what was previously the AquaMAX hot water systems factory.
Rheem has a large number of known domestic hot water brands under their banner like AquaMAX, Vulcan and Solahart.
They usually come with warranties ranging from 5 to 12 years, depending on the size and the materials used in their construction. To maintain the warranty and prolong the lifespan of the hot water tank, it’s recommended to have it serviced every 5 years or less. This service typically involves changing the sacrificial anode in the VE range and also replacing the pressure and temperature relief valve.
The AquaMAX name has been around since 1988, indicating that the brand has been in operation for over three decades. Something to note here is that AquaMAX was a family-owned business until Rheem acquired them in 2009, which suggests that the brand has since been part of a larger corporation.
By the time of Rheem’s acquisition, AquaMAX had sold over 500,000 electric water heaters. This information indicates that AquaMAX was an established player in the market, with a significant customer base.
AquaMax has always had the name amongst the industry as quality especially with their Stainless Steel products
The company still manufactures their stainless steel products in Victoria, which suggests a long-standing manufacturing presence in the region or a preference for locally sourced materials.
The AquaMAX hot water range come with warranties between 7 years and 10 years depending on the size of the cylinder, the smaller it is, the less the warranty.
They require a service prior to 5 years of service especially changing the anode to help the tank last longer
Vulcan Electric Hot Water Systems is another brand owned and manufactured by Rheem Hot Water Systems. Vulcan only makes its electric hot water range in the mild steel Vitreous Enamel style.
The Vulcan 50L Electric Storage Water Heater has a 7-year cylinder warranty, while the Vulcan Electric 80 litre through to the 400-litre models carry a 10-year cylinder warranty. To prolong the life of the cylinder, they require the anode to be changed between the 4th and 5th year of use. They are generally recognized as Rheem’s budget brand.
Rinnai has been a prominent name in the gas hot water industry for a long time, and until recently, they sourced their electric hot water range from China and/or Dux Hot Water Manufacturing in NSW.
However, Rinnai has recently opened its own manufacturing plant in Victoria for its Hotflo electric hot water systems. These systems come in various sizes, ranging from a small 25-litre system suitable for kitchenettes to a massive 400-litre system.
The warranties for Rinnai electric hot water systems are 7 years for the 25 and 50-litre systems and 10 years for all sizes above that. However, to ensure the longevity of the systems and to uphold the warranty, they require a 5-year or sooner service.
Dux Hot Water Systems has been operating in Australia for over 100 years and was Australian-owned until a few years ago.
Dux only produces its electric hot water systems with mild steel vitreous enamel lined cylinders. These water heaters are manufactured in Moss Vale, NSW, and China, with tank sizes ranging from 25 litres up to the 400-litre model.
The warranties for Dux electric hot water systems vary, with 7-year warranties for the cylinders of the 25 and 50-litre systems and 10-year warranties for all sizes above that capacity. As with other mild steel hot water systems, they require sacrificial anodes, which need to be changed before the 5-year mark to ensure the system lasts and to uphold the warranty.
However, since Dux was sold, their reputation in the hot water industry has fallen from being Australia’s #2 brand to lows that no one would want their business to become. They have managed to survive by supplying Bunnings and manufacturing the Therman brand for Reece Plumbing Supplies, as no other place bothers to stock or sell the Dux brand anymore.
Thermann is an exclusive brand name for the Reece Plumbing Supplies chain and is manufactured by Dux Hot Water in New South Wales and China for smaller storage capacity heaters.
Thermann electric hot water systems are essentially the same as the Dux Proflo, except for the branding. They come in various storage sizes ranging from 25 litres to 400 litres and are made from mild steel with an internal vitreous enamel coating. Like other mild steel hot water systems, they have a sacrificial anode that protects the system from deterioration, which needs to be replaced within the 5-year period. They come with the same warranty periods as the Dux Proflo, with 7-year warranties for the cylinders of the 25 and 50-litre systems and 10-year warranties for all sizes above that capacity.
However, these electric water heaters are nothing remarkable. They are simply a re-labelled system from a brand that has lost its way in the industry, with poor products, after-sales service, warranty, and a very low care factor for consumers. Thermann water heaters are only available at Reece Plumbing Supply stores.
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