Gas hot water systems

Gas hot water systems are a common option, especially in new builds where narrow block widths make it hard to squeeze a 650mm storage tank down the side of the house. In Maroochydore and surrounding areas, many properties are tied into the natural gas mains, which usually offers 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 systems save valuable space as lot sizes shrink. Most models employ electronic ignition instead of a continuous pilot, improving gas efficiency, but they do rely on electricity, so you won’t have hot water during a blackout because there’s no stored reserve. LPG hot water setups remain widespread but have grown more expensive once you factor in delivery, handling and cylinder rental fees, often making them pricier to run than an off-peak electric hot water system. Typically two 45kg gas cylinders are needed to ensure steady operation. In newer estates or planned communities without access to natural gas, some developments use a central LPG supply with metered distribution—this removes bottle rental costs but commonly ties you to a single gas provider. Where natural gas mains are available, the gas supply usually costs 25–45% less than LPG bottles. Bear in mind many suppliers now add service charges exceeding $50 on a quarterly bill in addition to usage fees. Unlike intermittent uses such as cooking, water heating consumes a significant volume of gas, so both efficiency and the structure of supply costs are key considerations when choosing a hot water system.