Is Your Hot Water Cylinder Leaking?
This is common situation. Electric low pressure tanks have a 20-40 year life, after which pin holes appear in the bottom of the tank. The tanks are not economically repairable.
Replacement is normally quick unless the tank cannot be removed from its cupboard due to it being larger than the door way.The mains pressure steel tanks last 5-20 years and may require upgrading of the valve train also to modern codes and installation instructions.
Its either and electric or gas cylinder.
The options are replace like for like or upgrade to either a bigger tank, make it solar ready or change to a different type of water heater or energy source.
The Swap
which is a simple job which involves -
- Draining the tank after the energy source is turned off.
- Disconnecting the piping
- Disconnecting the electric connection or gas connection.
- Replace the tank and do the reverse of the above.
- The electric connection and switch may need upgrading do to the age and wear tear.
Most homes have either a 135 litre or 180 litre electric hot water cylinder with a 1.5kw or 2 kw element. We recommend replacing with a 180 litre and at least a 2kw element or 3 kw element if the electric connection, switch and cable can handle that. The tanks can be low pressure or mains (high) pressure. Changing from low pressure to mains pressure requies the fitting of a valve kit and a drain to outside.
Upgrades
A high efficiency upgrade would be to a Heat Pump water heater. Although more expensive the running costs are much lower.
Another choice is Continuous Flow gas water heater. The electric tank is removed. A gas pipe is fitted outside usually. This assumes you have gas on the property and its capable of running this high demand gas appliance. Your gas supply may need an upgrade. Hot and cold water pipes are taken outside also and the electrical connection. There are internal models but they need and expensive flue.
