Question 1

Instantaneous (continuous) or storage gas — what's right for my Berwick home?

Accepted Answer

Instantaneous (continuous flow) heats only the water you draw, so you never run out — best for households running 2–3+ simultaneous showers or where the existing storage tank keeps emptying. Storage gas keeps a tank hot 24/7, recovers slowly between draws, but the upfront cost is lower and the gas supply doesn't need to be upgraded. Most 3–4 person Berwick homes are well-served by a 26L/min Rinnai Infinity or Bosch Highflow instantaneous. Storage suits a 1–2 person home or where gas line size or pressure won't support instantaneous.

Question 2

How do I size a gas instantaneous unit?

Accepted Answer

By peak simultaneous outlet demand, measured in litres per minute (L/min). One shower at full flow draws around 8–10 L/min; a dishwasher 6 L/min; kitchen tap 5 L/min. So: 16 L/min suits 1–2 outlets at once, 20 L/min suits 2–3 outlets, 26 L/min comfortably handles 3+ outlets including a household running showers and dishwasher together. Bigger doesn't cost much more and prevents the lukewarm-shower problem when someone else turns a tap on.

Question 3

Which gas hot water brands do you install?

Accepted Answer

Rinnai Infinity (instantaneous, 16/20/26/32 L/min) — the most-installed unit in Australia, parts everywhere, reliable. Bosch Highflow (instantaneous) — German engineering, great in hard-water areas, slightly quieter combustion. Rheem Stellar / Metro (storage, 135–360L) — Australian-made storage tanks, robust, easy to service. Rinnai HotFlo (storage). We install the units we trust to repair in 10 years — these are them.

Question 4

What's installed for gas hot water in Berwick — natural gas or LPG?

Accepted Answer

Almost all reticulated suburbs (Berwick, Cranbourne, Narre Warren, Hampton Park, Endeavour Hills, Officer, Pakenham) are on natural gas. Acreage and semi-rural blocks toward Beaconsfield Upper, Harkaway and the Bunyip end of Cardinia run on LPG cylinders. Every model we install has a natural-gas SKU and an LPG SKU — they're not interchangeable, the injectors and burner are different. Confirming your gas type is the first thing we check on site.

Question 5

Do you handle the gas line, flue and electrical work?

Accepted Answer

Yes — all in-house. Licensed gasfitter for the gas line and flue (AS 5601), licensed plumber for the water connections (AS 3500.4), licensed electrician for the 240V supply and isolation. Most like-for-like replacements use the existing gas line and flue. Changing from storage to instantaneous usually needs a new flue penetration and sometimes a gas line upsize. We check, we quote it accurately, no surprises.

Question 6

How long do gas units last in South East Melbourne?

Accepted Answer

Gas storage tanks: 10–12 years typically. The cylinder rusts from the inside out — the anode rod that's meant to prevent it depletes after 5–7 years and most homeowners never replace it. Once the tank itself leaks, replacement is the only option. Gas instantaneous units: 15–20 years, sometimes 25, because there's no storage cylinder to fail. Heat exchanger and electronic board are the most common failure points, both replaceable.

Question 7

Should I replace gas with heat-pump in 2026?

Accepted Answer

For most South East Melbourne owner-occupiers, yes — the maths now favours heat-pump. A 280L heat-pump runs about 70% cheaper than gas at current Victorian energy prices, qualifies for the $1,000 Solar Victoria rebate plus STCs (net cost ~$3K–$4.5K), and aligns with Victoria's gas-out direction. Gas instantaneous still wins where you have a strong existing gas line and don't want a noisy outdoor compressor — we'll be honest about which suits your home.

Gas hot water in Berwick & the South East.

Brand & model comparison.

Instantaneous (continuous flow).

Storage gas.

Sizing by household.

What we do on site — honest.

Standards we work to.

Gas hot water quote — usually within 24 hours.