Gas hot water in Adelaide
Much of Adelaide is on the natural gas network, and gas hot water systems are common across the plains, from older homes in the inner suburbs to 1970s and 80s brick homes in the north and north-east. Gas heats water quickly, recovers fast after a run of showers, and a suitably rated gas unit is one of the options when an electric heater has to be replaced under South Australia's rules.
We arrange quotes for both main kinds of gas water heater, through independent local plumbers who are licensed for gas fitting.
Gas storage or continuous flow?
Gas storage. A burner beneath an insulated tank keeps a reserve of hot water ready. Common sizes for houses sit somewhere around 130 to 170 litres. They are simple, familiar and often the quickest swap when the old unit is a gas tank in the same spot. The trade-off is standing heat loss — the tank keeps the water hot whether you use it or not — and a reserve that can run out if the household's showers stack up.
Gas continuous flow. Also called instantaneous. The unit fires up when a hot tap opens and heats the water as it passes through, so there is no tank and no reserve to run out. Units are rated by flow in litres per minute; a bigger number supports more outlets at once. They mount on an outside wall, take up little space and suit families with back-to-back showers. They need a power point and, because they draw a lot of gas at once, a meter and pipe that can keep up.
Meter, pipe and position
The gas supply is where many gas quotes vary. A continuous flow unit can demand a high gas rate when it fires, and an older meter or a long, narrow gas pipe may not deliver enough. The gasfitter should check this before quoting rather than discovering it on the day. If an upgrade is needed, ask for it as a separate line, and note that changes at the meter itself may involve the gas distributor.
Position matters too. Outdoor units need clearances from windows, doors and openings so flue gases cannot drift back inside. Indoor units need a flue to the outside. Moving the unit away from where the old one sat can add pipe runs and cost, but sometimes it is worth doing — for example to shorten the run to the main bathroom so hot water arrives faster.
Sizing it properly
A gas system that is too small runs cold mid-shower; one that is too large wastes gas. A good sizing conversation covers how many people live in the house, how many showers run at once, whether there is a large bath or spa, and how far the bathrooms are from the heater. For continuous flow, the contractor should explain the flow rate needed for your outlets rather than just matching the old unit.
Natural gas or LPG
Most metropolitan suburbs have mains natural gas, but not every street does, and some homes on the urban edge and in the Hills rely on LPG cylinders. Water heaters are set up for one gas type or the other, so the quote must name the correct model. LPG is typically dearer per unit of energy, which tips the running-cost comparison toward a heat pump for some households.
Safety and upkeep
If you ever smell gas near the heater, turn off the gas at the meter, avoid using switches or flames nearby, ventilate the area and call a licensed gasfitter. For everyday care, keep the area around the unit clear, never block flue outlets, and have the unit serviced at the interval the manufacturer recommends.
If you are weighing gas against the alternatives, the Adelaide comparison guide looks at running costs and incentives side by side.