Long gone are the days where your only option was your only option. No matter what your heart desires in 2016 you are guaranteed to find multiple choices to satisfy your wants and needs. If you are looking at replacing your current hot water cylinder or looking for hot-water options for your new build – Tankless Water Heating is a great choice. Why? Everyone wants to save money. The traditional way to heat water in New Zealand is to use a hot water cylinder. However, energy losses can be high from this form of heating. Energy is lost through the walls of the cylinder even if no hot water is being used. On top of that, the pipes from the cylinders are almost never insulated and so energy is lost here too. Energy loss = Money lost. What is appealing to consumers looking at tankless water heating? Well, the benefits are definitely starting to stack high and look good. A tankless unit has a lifespan of nearly 20 years. Hot water cylinders on the other hand are lucky to last 10-12 years. Instead of continually heating a cylinder full of water, only when a hot water tap is turned on in the home is cold water is drawn into the water heater and heated. You are not going to empty the water heater with a high bath because there isn’t a cylinder to empty. Tankless water heaters therefore can achieve a greater efficiency than standard cylinder heaters. Tankless units are easy to maintain. Because they don’t house water 24 hours a day, corrosion is virtually eliminated. A tankless hot water heater does away with the need for a dedicated space inside your house – typically a hot water cupboard. These units are small and wall mountable for added convenience.     Tankless Water Heating – Take Your Pick! The options available for tankless water heaters are expanding all the time. Choosing a well-known brand will help safeguard your family from maintenance and usage issues in the future. Amongst some of the brands available Rinnai, Bosch and Rheem have many options available for almost every requirement. Rinnai – Rinnai INFINITY offers options that accommodate 16-32litre/minute capacities. The various models offer energy efficiencies of between 80% and 95%. They are also able to boast between 15% and 28% cost savings over electric cylinder heating. All INFINITY models come with a 10 year heat exchange warranty and a 3 year parts warranty. Bosch – Bosch offers a great range of German engineered tankless hot water systems. They offer 10 – 26 litre/minute capacities. They run on both Natural Gas (NG) and LP Gas. Bosch Highflow units are gas continuous-flow hot water systems that are suitable for 1 – 3 bathroom homes. They are compact, space-saving and easy to install.  Their models come with a 10year heat exchange warranty and a 3 year parts warranty. Rheem – Rheem Continuous Flow products offer options that accommodate 16-27litre/minute capacities. They have a 6* Energy Star rating. They have both interior and exterior installation options. They have a unique flame-safe overheat protection system. The Rheem Continuous Flow 27 has an improved minimum start-up flow rate. Their models also come with a 10 year heath exchange warranty and a 3 year parts warranty. Energy efficiency is a catchphrase that is bandied around but what does it really mean when looking at a new appliance for your home? The Energy Star rating is based on the amount of energy input required to raise the temperature from 15C to 60C over a body of 200 litres of water. Why only 60C? Because it is the minimum temperature that is required for hot water heating systems to prevent the growth of bacteria. Because a tankless hot water system has no tank, the temperatures are usually set at around 50C – which saves you money. What do the stars stand for? Each extra star featured on the front of the unit, means an additional 10% or more savings on running costs. The higher the rating, the more efficient the water heater. So, although energy efficiency seems to be a reasonably recent terminology it actually is worth paying attention to and adding to your list of considerations when looking at your home water heating options. As water heating brokers we can help you analyse your hot water usage and decide on the best option for your home and family. We can advise the best products and the best way to complete installation. We are known for finding you the best deals from the best brands. We have unbeatable industry pricing and pride ourselves with an unmatched level of service and costumer care. Call us now or drop us an email and we can help you pick your new Tankless Water Heater.  

Currently Hot Water Heating Brokers have supplied over 500 homes in the Auckland area with gas water heating!

Gas water heating is gaining popularity throughout the country at an astonishing rate. Gas water heating provides instantaneous hot water throughout your home. Tankless water heaters are not going to be discussed in this post – but please check out our separate blog about this type of heating. Here you will learn about gas fuelled storage water heaters. Storage water heaters – commonly referred to in New Zealand as Hot Water Cylinders – are the most popular type of water heaters installed in New Zealand homes. However, these have been traditionally fuelled by electricity. A natural gas hot water cylinder can now be installed using both mains or low pressure. Mains pressure gas water heaters are the predominant style being installed in New Zealand. If you have natural gas available in your area, installing a gas fuelled storage water heater will help you save in your household running costs, as gas is a much less expensive energy source than electricity. So how do they work? Gas water heaters convert gas energy into heat and then transfer that heat to your water. They are connected to a cold water supply pipe and an outgoing hot water pipe, or system of pipes, that supplies heated water to your taps and appliances. If you choose to go with a gas water heater, having one with an immersion heater will give you much more effective water heating. Immersion heaters heat water directly from inside the tank. A strong electric current is passed through the element to heat it up and it heats the water around it, working in a similar manner, although on a larger scale, to the average kitchen kettle. The thermostat serves to monitor the temperature of water in the tank and if it drops below a certain point, works to bring it back up to the required level. Because you are using gas and the gas is being used by way of heating, a vent is required to allow toxic emissions from the burner to escape. These are piped up through the tank, and normally through your roof to the outside. Some newer, high-efficiency water heaters have fan-assisted vents that can be piped out through a wall. Because the tank is under pressure, hot water exits through the hot water outlet at the top. When the hot water leaves, cold water enters through a diffuser dip tube that extends down inside the tank. The cold water pipe normally has a shutoff valve. The drain valve at the water heater’s base is used for draining the tank or flushing sediment out of it. A temperature-pressure (TP) relief valve near or on the top of the tank opens automatically if temperature or pressure exceeds safe levels. There are two types of low pressure systems available: open vented systems and pressure reducing systems. This will range from 30 to 120kPa. The open vented system has a cold water storage header tank and the pressure is provided by this tank. This will range from 30 to 120kPa. The pressure reducing system relies on a pressure reducing valve to reduce the pressure below the mains pressure. Mains pressure tanks work on the basis of the pressure in the tank is equal to the pressure on the incoming water supply. This will range from 120kPa to 1400kPa but is most typical between 350 and 700kPa. If you are not familiar with what “kPa” is: it is a unit of pressure measurement that has largely replaced the pounds per square inch (psi) unit many people are familiar with. If you are on low pressure and you have multiple areas where you require hot water, say multiple bathrooms or more than one tap running hot water at a time, you may also require a mains pressure service. All gas storage water heaters must have adequate ventilation of the cylinder and a flue to remove exhaust gases. They must also be serviced annually, flushed out regularly to remove water sediment at the bottom of the cylinder and checked to ensure that the vents are not blocked. All gas water heaters sold in New Zealand must comply with minimum energy performance standards (MEPS). For our full range of gas water heaters, please see our page here.

Water heater brokers compares popular continuous flow water heater prices for you. Depending on the country you are from this water heating appliance may be called an instantaneous water heater or tankless water heater. Some may also call it a gas califont. However you call it, its function remains the same. Hot water on demand.

If you’re looking at purchasing a new water heater, slow down and take a minute to contemplate and consider all of your options. Whilst water heater technology is changing and all the new models are more energy efficient, it doesn’t mean that you’ll find them the most cost effective for your family. Understand how each style works, its pros and cons, and its projected payback.

When selecting a new water heater for your home, choose a water heating system that will not only provide enough hot water but also that will do so energy efficiently, saving you money. This includes considering the different types of water heaters available and determining the right size for your home

Comparing some of the top water heaters available below you will find that there are differences all over. Choosing the right one for YOUR situation is vital as if the decision is wrong it could end up costing you dearly. (Click on the Brand names for further information)

NOTE: Prices below are RRP (ask about ongoing discounts). Here you can compare gas water heater prices and performance.

Brand	Description	Product Price (RRP)	Litres/Minute	Image
Bosch Highflow Condensing C26	High efficiency, compact design. The new Bosch Highflow Condensing offers you an easy way to reduce running costs and help the environment. Compact, lightweight design Great payback period against standard continuous flow product	$1827.35	21
Bosch External Hydropower 16H	The Bosch 16H delivers a 16 L/min flow rate and is available in Natural or LP Gas. It is suitable for 1-2 bathroom homes & conveniently provides continuous hot water without a powerpoint or pilot light.	$1322.50	16
Bosch Internal Compact CI16	The Bosch Ci16 is an ideal replacement for existing internal hot water systems, offering a flow rate of 16 L/min. It is suitable for 1-2 bathroom homes and is available in Natural or LP Gas.	$1436.35	16
Rheem Continuous Flow 864627NFZLFZ	Rheem’s Gas Continuous Flow is a compact water heater with optional temperature controllers and is excellent for use where space is at a premium.	$2645.00	27
Rheem Stellar A850330	The Rheem Stellar water heater is the most efficient domestic gas water heater available in New Zealand. With high flow rate capabilities it’s the ideal solution for homes with more than one bathroom and medium to high hot water use. It’s ideal for massage showers or filling baths and with no electrical connections necessary.	$2185.00	1st Hour Delivery (L) 330
Rinnai EXT INFINITY 32L NG HD250 INFHD250HNCN	Rinnai temperature controlled continuous flow gas hot water system for external applications. Factory pre-set to 55 °C.	$2875.00	37
Rinnai VT 26EXT LPG INFVT26L	The Rinnai INFINITY VT is a continuous flow gas hot water system for external domestic applications. This type of hot water system produces endless hot water, and is an energy efficient water heating system because it’s only on when you need hot water.	$1299.00	26
Bosch LPG 4000S External 12L	The Bosch 4000S External is an electronically controlled continuous flow water heater, designed for an easy change-over from Bosch Pilot & Hydro Power models	$1206.35	12
Rheem Continuous Flow 874620NFZLFZ	Rheem’s Gas Continuous Flow is a compact water heater with optional temperature controllers and is excellent for use where space is at a premium.	$1493.85	20
Rinnai VT 16EXT NG INFVT16N	The Rinnai INFINITY VT is a continuous flow gas hot water system for external domestic applications. This type of hot water system produces endless hot water, and is an energy efficient water heating system because it’s only on when you need hot water.	$1506.50	16

Yes, it can feel overwhelming but making the right choice now will give you endless benefits in the future. Besides the basics, some other features to consider when looking at a new water heater are typically things like:

Warranty: Most water heaters come with a standard warranty that runs somewhere between 3 and 12 years. While you’ll usually pay a bit more for longer-warranty models, these heaters tend to have larger elements or burners that can speed up water heating and thicker insulation for less heat loss. Choose a water heater with the longest warranty available that fits your budget.

Anti-Scale Devices: While scale can shorten the life of the heating element, you don‘t need to invest in fancy features to get a long-lived water heater

Brass vs. Plastic Drain Valves: These are situated near the base of the water heater. Look for brass drain valves, which are more durable than plastic.

Glass-Lined Tanks: These are designed to reduce corrosion.

Digital Displays: These help you monitor levels and customize your operation. Some electric/heat-pump hybrid water heaters let you set a holiday mode that uses just the heat pump for added efficiency when you’re away. Displays on solar water heaters often show tank and collector temperatures, along with pressure readings and other info.

All in all, it is important to investigate each water heater – check their abilities and capabilities, the individual specs and the unique features each model is offering. Make sure you select the right one for your situation.

Every application has its own challenges and requires a unique solution. Water Heater Brokers specialise in domestic and commercial water and central heating products, and can offer you specialist advice and installation services.

Remember: Your goal is to find the right balance between performance and efficiency for your particular home.

Gas appliances, like most other appliances, sometimes need repair and maintenance. Luckily, many times it is possible to repair your gas appliance, not having to replace it with a new one. We recently had to do just that.

The customer contacted us with a problem with their Rinnai Califont water heater. They were not getting hot water and needed it working for the weekend. So they called us to the rescue.

Our technician went out to check it out and did some tests to see why the unit was playing up. As you can see, there is quite some corrosion on the inside of the unit, which can mess with the electrical connections and cause the unit to fail. Other problems that can occur with these water heaters include:

• Incorrect burner settings resulting in either too hot or too cold water
• Faulty controllers
• Issues with gas supply – this can cause both water pressure and heating issues
• Mineral build up in the unit if not flushed regularly
• Low water pressure (which can be because of the unit not heating up water in time – usually a gas pressure issue)
• Ignition failure

Those these are generally reliable units, sometimes a bit of repair or maintenance work is required. All the issues listed above are avoided if regular maintenance and servicing on the unit is done.

Once our technician tracked down the cause of the issue, which in this case was caused by corroded electrical connections. By cleaning the contact surface of the culprit connections and replacing the ones necessary, he was able to resolve the problem. Afterwards he tested all taps in the house to ensure that there was hot water in all of them, which there was. The client was advised and was happy to have their hot water going again.

What can you do if you find your gas appliances not working?
First and foremost, you need to ensure that you do not have a gas leak. While rare, they do happen and can be a dangerous situation. The most obvious way to tell is you will smell the gas. You will most likely also hear a hissing sound near gas appliances or pipes. This is a big tell-tale sign. If you do have a gas leak, the first thing to do is shut off the gas supply – shut off your LPG bottles or if you have natural gas, it can usually be turned off at the meter. If you do not know how to do this or you still have a leak, call us immediately on 0800 692 672.

If the unit is not working and you are not getting hot water, check to see if your appliance is showing an error code. Some appliances such as the Rinnais show an error code to help you identify the problem.

The best thing to do in these situations is to give us a call. Gas can be dangerous and if you think you have a fault with your system, calling a professional is t he best course of action. We can quickly diagnose the problem and let you know what options are.

Rheem Stellar is the cream of the crop when speaking of gas hot water systems. It is currently the most efficient gas storage water heater available in New Zealand, well-loved for its sleek design and reliability. But though it gives the best combination of durability, performance, and features, it may occasionally run into some issues (like all machines do). If you suddenly run out of hot water at home, don’t panic. There are a number of things you can check before enlisting professional help.   Can it be fixed? More often than not, the issue is just the lack of servicing. For instance, the pilot light might burn out due to debris build-up or a clogged fuel injector. Other times, the cylinder is simply broken. If water is flowing from the hot tap but the water is cold, try doing the following:

• Make sure the power isolator beside the hot water cylinder is ON.
• Check the house switchboard to see if the circuit breaker for the hot water is ON.
• Check the outside meter box to see if the Hot Water Circuit Breaker is switched on.
• Check with your power company and ask if they have ‘hot water line faults’ in your area.
• Check that any cut-off valves in the gas line are turned on.
• Check the settings of the thermostat on the water heater, and readjust if needed.
• Check the pilot light found in the gas chamber to see if it is lit. This small light must remain alight at all times to power the main burner which heats the water. However, this can suddenly go out due to strong winds, interruptions in natural gas supply or debris build up.

Some troubleshooting information can also be found in the Owner’s Guide and the service contact details are written on the Stellar instructions label found on the back of the unit.     Other issues that may warrant a Rheem Stellar repair are gas leaks, water leaks and a noisy cylinder. If there is a leak, you would usually smell traces of gas down on the floor level, where gas normally accumulates. If you detect even the faintest trace, shut off the main valve and call in professional help. On the other hand, water around the base of the cylinder or the safe tray may mean the cylinder is leaking. If there is a leak, call a local plumber. As for strange noises, your Rheem Stellar is supposed to work with minimal or no noise. So if your cylinder makes a noise when you turn the tap on or off, it could be a sign of a faulty valve or a water hammer problem. Again, ring a plumber. After a thorough inspection, your plumber will decide whether your unit can be repaired or not. Even when repairs can be done, it won’t always be the most cost-effective solution. So a replacement may be a better option.     You may ask, what is the cost if it needs to be replaced? We usually offer Rheem Stellar replacements starting from $2790 (plus GST). Our service fee covers the unit itself, removal of old unit, installation of your new water heater, and certifications. We are Rheem-approved plumbers, which mean you can trust us to carry out the installation correctly. This ensures your safety and validates your cylinder manufacturer’s warranty. Speaking of correct installation, we take into consideration a number of things, including:

1. Gas pipe size. Proper sizing of the connection pipes is essential for optimal performance. An undersized gas system cannot support true mains pressure operation, which will lead to poor performance and efficiency. Reference to the water heater’s technical specifications, as well as local regulatory requirements, must be made. Wrong pipe size can also cause issues such as soot accumulation in the burners, condensation in the heat exchanger or pilot lights burning out. In addition to size, the pipes running downstream of the temperature pressure relief valve specifically must be capable of carrying water exceeding 93^o Otherwise, it may result in damage to the pipework and your property.
2. Access. A new Rheem model can simply be installed in the same space as your old cylinder. But if your previous cylinder is not located in an optimal location, we may install the new unit in a better location. The best spot is where the cylinder can easily be accessed for inspection and maintenance, whilst keeping the plumbing lines as short as possible. In a location where the pipes are prone to freezing, insulation must be applied.  
3. Fuel type. Rheem Stellar is compatible with natural gas, but some models are electric. If you currently have a different brand of hot water heater that needs replacement, a Stellar can easily be fitted in its place. If you are replacing an electric hot water system with a new gas water heater, a new hot water main valve or additional gas line to the nearest gas service may be required. This may add cost per metre of new piping. But this is a small price to pay considering that gas heaters have quicker heat recovery times than their electric counterparts. This means a relatively smaller unit can keep up with your normal hot water demand.

  Of course, the considerations don’t end here. There’s a tall list of specifications for every single component of the installation. Whether you need to repair or install a new Rheem gas water heater, make sure to use only a qualified and approved service technician. We here at Water Heaters NZ are fully trained and experienced with Rheem hot water systems. Here are some of the jobs we did recently:   The Rheem Stellar units have remarkable flow rates of up to 40 litres per minute and operate at mains pressure, enabling them to keep up with the most demanding households. Not to mention, they have some of the highest Energy Star ratings. Get your Rheem Stellar gas hot water cylinder up and running. Contact us!