Is Your Hot Water System Due? SA's Low-Emission Rules Explained

Golden Grove didn't grow one house at a time. The suburb was set up under a 1984 agreement between the State of South Australia, Delfin and the South Australian Urban Land Trust, with a projected 15-year build across about 1,230 hectares. Because so many homes went up in the same era, many of their original fixtures are ageing together, and the hot water system is usually the first to go.

If yours is showing its age, there's something important to know before it fails. In South Australia, a new or replacement water heater in a house generally has to be a low-emission type. You can't always swap an old unit for the same model.

Here's what the rules say, what counts as low emission, what's exempt, and why planning ahead beats a cold-shower emergency.

1. What SA's water heater rules require

Under South Australia's residential water heater requirements, when you install a new water heater or replace an existing one in a house, it generally has to be a low-emission type. According to SA Government guidance, that includes:

• Solar water heaters
• Electric heat pump systems
• High-efficiency gas systems. Gas continuous-flow units need a minimum 5-star energy rating.

The rules are there to cut running costs and emissions, and in practice they rule out many of the older-style electric storage units that were common when Golden Grove was built.

2. What's exempt

Not every hot water job triggers the rules. According to the Office of the Technical Regulator, the requirements don't apply to:

• Repairs to an existing water heater
• Replacing a water heater under warranty

There can also be technical situations where some options don't suit a particular home. We'll talk you through which compliant options work for your property before any work starts.

3. Why you should plan your replacement early

Most hot water systems get replaced in a rush, on the day they stop working. That's when your choices are narrowest. You're more likely to take whatever's in stock rather than the system that suits your household and budget.

Planning ahead gives you time to compare solar, heat pump and gas options, weigh running costs, and book the work at a time that suits you. It's especially worth doing if your system is original to the house. Check the compliance plate on the unit for its manufacture date. If it's more than a decade old, it's worth having it inspected.

Not sure whether yours is on the way out? Read our guide to the 5 signs your hot water system is about to fail.

4. The safety rules that come with every install

Every hot water installation in South Australia also has to meet temperature and paperwork rules:

• Storage temperature: storage water heaters must hold water at a minimum of 60°C, which helps control bacteria such as Legionella.
• Delivery temperature: heated water to bathroom outlets must be delivered at no more than 50°C to reduce the risk of scalding (45°C in aged care, health care and children's facilities).
• Solar systems: all new and replacement solar hot water installations need a temperature control device.
• Certificate of compliance: installing or replacing a water heater needs a plumbing certificate of compliance, given to you and the Office of the Technical Regulator within seven days.

If a quote doesn't mention a tempering valve or a certificate of compliance, ask why.

5. Choosing the right low-emission system

Each option suits different homes:

• Heat pumps work like a reverse air conditioner, drawing heat from the air. They're a popular choice for homes without good roof space for solar.
• Solar makes the most of Adelaide's sunny climate and usually has an electric or gas booster for cloudy days.
• 5-star gas continuous flow heats water on demand and suits homes already connected to mains gas.

The best choice depends on your household size, roof orientation, gas connection and budget. Have you thought about which one would suit your home? We cover the options in detail on our hot water systems page.

Get ahead of your hot water replacement

With so many Golden Grove homes built in the same era, hot water replacements are one of the most common jobs locally. South Australia's rules mean your next system will generally need to be low emission, so it pays to plan before your current one gives out.

Our licensed team at Grove Plumbing & Gas can inspect your current system, explain your compliant options and give you an upfront quote. Call or contact us online. If you've already lost hot water, our 24/7 emergency hot water service can help.