Hot water in Berwick.

Two distinct housing stocks — old township vs new estates.

Old Berwick around the High Street, Manuka Road and the church precinct is mostly 1970s–1990s brick veneer on quarter-acre blocks — gas storage units (170–250L Rheem Stellar, Rinnai HotFlo) externally mounted, many now 15–25 years old and well past replacement. The new Berwick Waters, Eden Rise and Timbarra estates from 2005 onward run gas instantaneous (Rinnai Infinity 26, Bosch Highflow) on the side wall — now hitting the 15–20 year replacement mark for the oldest streets.

Heat-pump is the default upgrade here.

Roughly 65% of Berwick replacements we’re doing in 2026 are gas-or-electric to heat-pump conversions. The $1,000 Solar Vic rebate plus STCs drops a 280L heat-pump to $3K–$4.5K net — on par with a like-for-like gas replacement once you factor running cost savings (~$500/year). For 3–4 person families we default to the Reclaim 250L/315L or Sanden 315L. Compressor placement is usually next to the existing gas meter or AC condenser, well clear of bedroom windows.

The Rheem Stellar bulge.

Rheem Stellar storage was the default install in Berwick from roughly 1998–2008. That puts most of them at 18–28 years old now — well beyond the 10–12 year cylinder life. We replace 3–5 of these a week. Telltales: rust staining at the tundish, water around the base, longer recovery times. Once the cylinder leaks, replacement is the only option.

Typical Berwick jobs.

• Rheem Stellar 170L gas storage replacement — like-for-like Rinnai HotFlo or upgrade to Rinnai Infinity 20 instantaneous ($1.9K–$2.6K)
• Gas storage to heat-pump conversion (Reclaim 250L) — $3.5K–$4K net after rebates
• Solar hot water tank replacement (Apricus, Rheem Loline) — existing roof panels retained ($2.5K–$3.5K)
• Same-day no-hot-water repair — pilot light, thermostat, element, valve ($200–$500)
• Electric 315L to heat-pump 280L conversion — same circuit, $3K–$4K net