Gas Hot Water Systems — Repair & Installation
Gas remains one of the most popular ways to heat water in Perth, and for good reason. It heats quickly, runs cheaply compared with standard electric, and with a continuous flow unit you never run out mid-shower. If you're connected to the ATCO natural gas network, or run on LPG bottles, a gas hot water system is well worth considering.
Our licensed Canning Vale plumbers and gasfitters repair, service and install gas hot water systems right across the south-east suburbs. Here's how they work and what to weigh up.
Continuous flow vs storage
Gas hot water comes in two main styles, and the right one depends on your household.
Continuous flow (instantaneous)
Also called tankless or instantaneous, these compact units heat water on demand as it passes through. There's no tank, so they take up less space and, crucially, they never run out of hot water no matter how many showers you run back to back. You only pay to heat the water you actually use, which cuts standing losses. They're the go-to choice for larger families and homes short on space. You can even set a precise temperature on the digital controller.
Storage tank
A gas storage system heats a tank of water and keeps it hot, ready to use. It delivers a strong initial flow, which suits homes that draw a lot of hot water at once. The trade-off is that it loses a little heat while sitting idle, and a very heavy morning can empty the tank until it reheats. Storage units are often a lower upfront cost than continuous flow.
If you're still deciding between gas, electric and solar, our comparison of electric vs gas vs solar hot water lays out the running costs side by side.
Running costs and efficiency
Natural gas is generally cheaper per unit of heat than electricity in WA, so gas hot water usually costs less to run than a standard electric tank, particularly for larger households with high usage. Continuous flow units add efficiency by eliminating the standing heat loss you get with any tank. Modern units carry strong star ratings that make a real difference to your quarterly bill.
Bear in mind that homes on LPG bottles rather than mains natural gas will pay more per unit, which can change the sums. We'll factor your actual gas supply into any recommendation.
Natural gas and ATCO
Most of Perth's suburban gas is natural gas delivered through the ATCO distribution network. If your street is connected, you'll have a gas meter and mains supply feeding your appliances. Where mains gas isn't available, LPG bottles do the job instead.
Any work involving gas lines, connections or appliances must be carried out by a licensed gasfitter in Western Australia. This is a strict safety requirement, not red tape, and getting it wrong risks gas leaks and carbon monoxide. Our team is fully licensed for gasfitting, so your installation is safe, compliant and warranty-backed. We also handle new gas plumbing and fitting if you're adding a gas point or connecting an appliance.
Common gas hot water faults
Gas systems are reliable, but issues do crop up. The ones we see most often include:
- A pilot light or ignition that won't stay lit
- Water that's lukewarm rather than hot
- A faulty thermocouple or gas valve
- Sooting or a yellow flame, which can signal incomplete combustion
- Leaking connections or a corroded storage tank
- Error codes on a continuous flow unit's display
Many of these are straightforward repairs. If you ever smell gas, though, treat it as an emergency, don't touch electrical switches, and follow the steps in our guide on what to do about a gas leak.
Brands we install
We install and service the leading gas hot water brands trusted across WA, including Rinnai, Rheem, Bosch, Dux and Vulcan. Rinnai and Bosch are especially popular for continuous flow, while Rheem and Vulcan cover strong storage ranges. We'll recommend a reliable unit sized to your household rather than pushing one brand.
Sizing your gas system
Continuous flow units are rated by flow rate in litres per minute, so we match the unit to how many hot water outlets your home might run at once. A larger family that could have two showers and the kitchen tap going together needs a higher flow rate. For storage tanks, we size by capacity against household size. Either way, correct sizing means you get reliable hot water without paying for capacity you'll never use.
Servicing keeps gas systems safe and efficient
Like any appliance that burns fuel, a gas hot water system benefits from periodic servicing. Over time, burners can collect dust and soot, valves wear, and combustion drifts from its ideal setting. A service checks the burner and flame, tests the safety valves, inspects connections for leaks, and confirms the unit is venting properly. This keeps your running costs down, extends the life of the system, and, most importantly, makes sure it's burning cleanly and safely. Carbon monoxide from a poorly maintained gas appliance is a real hazard, so this isn't a corner worth cutting.
We can fold gas hot water servicing into your general maintenance plumbing schedule, so it's one less thing to remember. And because our team holds both plumbing and gasfitting licences, we can service the whole system in a single visit rather than sending out separate trades.
Whether your gas hot water has stopped working or you're ready to install a new continuous flow unit, our licensed Canning Vale plumbers and gasfitters can help. Call our team or request a quote today for honest advice and upfront pricing before any work starts.
Frequently asked questions
Is gas hot water cheaper to run than electric?
Generally, yes. Natural gas costs less per unit of heat than electricity in WA, so a gas system usually runs cheaper than a standard electric tank, especially for larger households. Continuous flow units save more by avoiding standing heat loss. Homes on LPG bottles pay more, which can change the comparison.
What's the difference between continuous flow and storage gas hot water?
Continuous flow units heat water on demand as it passes through, so they never run out and take up little space. Storage tanks keep a reservoir of hot water ready to use, delivering strong initial flow but losing a little heat while idle and potentially emptying during heavy use.
Do I need a licensed gasfitter to install gas hot water?
Yes. In Western Australia, all gasfitting work, including installing and connecting gas hot water systems, must be done by a licensed gasfitter. It's a legal safety requirement that protects against gas leaks and carbon monoxide, and it keeps your appliance warranty valid. Our team is fully licensed for this work.
My gas hot water pilot light keeps going out. What's wrong?
A pilot light that won't stay lit is often a faulty thermocouple, a dirty pilot assembly, or a gas supply issue. It's usually a straightforward repair for a licensed plumber. Avoid repeatedly relighting it yourself, and if you smell gas at any point, stop and treat it as an emergency.