Gas Hot Water Systems

Gas hot water systems remain a common option, especially in new builds where narrow block sizes make it hard to accommodate a 650mm-wide storage tank alongside the house. In Maroochydore and surrounding areas, many properties are tied into natural gas mains, which typically offer a 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 heaters save valuable space, a real advantage as lot sizes get smaller. Most models use electronic ignition instead of a continuous pilot, reducing gas use over time, but they do rely on electricity, so you’ll lose hot water during a blackout because there’s no stored reserve. LPG hot water systems are still widespread, but running costs have risen due to delivery, handling and cylinder rental charges, often making them pricier to operate than off-peak electric systems. For consistent performance you’ll usually need two 45kg gas bottles. In some new estates or planned communities without natural gas, developers provide a central LPG supply with metered distribution—this removes bottle rental fees but commonly ties you to a single gas supplier. Where homes are connected to natural gas mains, the fuel cost is typically 25–45% lower than using LPG bottles. That said, many suppliers now add service fees exceeding $50 per quarter on top of the usage charges. Because hot water heating consumes far more gas than cooking or barbecuing, both system efficiency and the structure of supply charges are important considerations when comparing gas and electric options.