Point Piper is only 0.4 square kilometres with an approximate population of 1300 but the houses here are not comparable with any other part in the nation. That makes plumbing scenarios that you will not experience in an ordinary suburbia dwelling.
There are numerous heritage-listed houses and estates at point Piper, some of which are from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Most of them still operate on old or mid-century plumbing layouts, galvanised steel supply lines, copper pipework with centuries of patina, and retrofitted hot water systems in areas that were never intended to have them. In one of these homes, the replacement of a system can frequently involve designing around structural features which may be impossible to relocate, laying new pipework through narrow spaces, and selecting equipment that complies with heritage requirements of Woollahra Council. We have worked in this line of work in the Eastern Suburbs and we know what it entails.
The location of point piper is a peninsula that has Sydney Harbour on three sides. It refers to regular contact with air that contains salt that speeds up corrosion of external copper pipes, gas fittings, and the exposed elements of outdoor hot water systems. The property along Wolseley Road, Wunulla Road and the lower end of Wentworth Street are more likely to be affected than those located much further away along the water. When your hot water system is outdoors, like many of those in Point Piper, and it is fixed beside garages or on service terraces, the metalwork will rust out quicker than in an inland site. The reduction in the length of the inspection and servicing cycle makes a difference that can be measured to the duration of the system.
When you are keeping a home in a suburb where the median unit price is over $4.7 million, and where the prices of houses are routinely eight and nine-figure houses, the quality of workmanship counts. We handle the property of Point Piper as it deserves and place protective covers over the floors, keep the work areas clean and tidy, no muddy boots, no mess around. We also comprehend discretion. We deal with access arrangements, security codes and private estate protocols on a regular basis in the Eastern Suburbs. We adapt to your preferences, you tell us the way you want the visit to be.
All the houses in Point Piper are not waterfront mansions. There are also suburban apartment buildings with boutique apartments which are mostly operated on the concept of shared hot water or individually metered systems operated under the strata by-laws. Upgrading or replacing a system within a strata building, especially external systems such as heat pumps, which produce certain noises during operation, often needs committee approval. Our area of operation is the 2027 postcode and we are able to offer the technical documentation your committee requires to evaluate an application.
The majority of hot water failures give warning a few weeks prior to the total shutdown. Early detection of such signals is cost effective and prevents the hassle of complete loss of hot water.
Typically a faulty component (electric) or thermostat that has been out of range. The common culprit in gas systems is a dirty or damaged burner. The majority of them are same-day repairs.
The usual cause is the development of sediment at the base of the tank. The sediment shields the element off the water, and lowers the effective heating volume. It can be restored by professional tank flush.
The sacrificial anode is probably corroded through, the tank wall is beginning to rust. An early detection will save years of life in case the anode is replaced. In case the tank is already perforated, it can only be replaced.
The heating element has hardened mineral deposits which entrap the pockets of steam which collapse, that is the noise. It is an indicator of large amounts of sedimentation and diminishing performance.
It might be a leaking pressure relief valve (removable), corroded tank body (replace) or loose fitting of a pipe. Any water close to a hot water system should be observed immediately to avoid the extension of the destruction.
In Australia, hot water takes up 15-25 percent of the energy expenses in the household. A system that is inefficiently running because of sediment, a malfunctioning part or a broken thermostat will consume significantly more power to heat the same amount of water.
Should repair not be the correct solution, a simple breakdown of what is available, what each system would cost to purchase and maintain, and what are the systems that would be appropriate in the type of property present in Point Piper is presented below.
| Type of system | Installation cost | Operating cost/per annum | life expectancy | Most suitable purpose. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Storage | $1,000 – $2,500 | $600 – $1,200 | 8 – 12 yrs | Apartments with limited external space, off-peak tariff setups |
| Gas Storage | $1,500 – $3,000 | $350 – $600 | 8 – 12 yrs | Existing gas connections, moderate daily demand |
| Gas Continuous Flow | $1,800 -3,500 | $400 -650 | 15-20 yrs | Large homes, unlimited hot water, small wall-mount. |
| Heat Pump | $3,500 – $5,500 * | $150 – $400 | 10 – 15 yrs | Maximum energy savings, no gas connection required |
| Solar (Electric Boost) | $4,000 – $7,500 | $100 – $300 | 15 – 20 yrs | North-facing roof access, long-term ownership |
The cost of the heat pump is a pre-government rebate. Combined STC and ESS credits allow NSW homeowners to often save $1,000 -2,500. We take care of the paperwork and deduct the discount to your invoice.
The most efficient one available is the heat pumps, which consume 60-75 percent of the electricity consumed by the traditional electric storage systems. In the case of Point Piper homeowners who operate an ageing electric tank, the savings are usually between 450 and 900 a year. With government rebates, the system is able to pay back within four to six years.
Installation location and noise is the consideration in case of Point Piper. Heat pumps should be located outside or in a well-ventilated area, and they make operational noise (similar to a silent air conditioner). This is not often a problem in detached houses, with service courts, or back gardens. Strata approval is normally mandatory in apartment complexes, we can submit noise data and technical specifications to assist your application.
Comprehensive diagnosis, effective communication, good workmanship, and a clean finish. That is what is required of any job, be it a thermostat change or a complete system change.
We check the system, measure the output temperatures, and test the error codes in the electronic units, verify all connections and components. We do not guess at anything, but determine the true fault, a diagnosis sure.
We will inform you of the issues, the cost of repair, and if it is economical to repair based on the age and state of your system. Should replacement be the more favorable option, we take you through the options and prices with rebates being offered.
We stock Rheem, Rinnai, bosch, Dux, Vulcan, Thermann and Aquamax. The majority of repairs are made at the initial visit. In the case of replacements, we are typically able to source and install a new system in 24 hours.
Complete system check such as temperature output, operation of pressure relief valve and connection. We tidy the work environment, give you tips on maintenance that will increase the life of the system and leave the premises as we had discovered it.
Prepared quotes on-site prior to any work. No call-out fee. No hidden charges. These are the typical repair and replacement types.
The most usual electric repair. Adds new part, fastening and testing. Typically one hour.
Cover pilot assemblies, gas valves and electronic ignition modules on storage and continuous flow systems.
The most effective preventive investment to any storage tank. Coats the tank against inner corrosion. Check every 3–5 years.
As required by Australian standards. Limit delivery temperature to 50o C at bathroom outlets. Install, test and supply.
New unit, installation, dismantling of old system, plumbing connection, compliance certification and manufacturer warranty.
Complete supply and installation, electrical, plumbing. * Pre-rebate, normally subsidized by between $1,000 and $2,500 through STC and ESS credits.
Prices are inclusive of GST, materials and labour. Your quoted price is final.
In Australian households, water heating takes 15 to 25 percent of all energy spending, and is the second-biggest energy expense after heating and cooling. A typical electric storage tank is approximately $600 to 1200 per year in dollar amounts to operate in a household of four people. Gas sits around $350 to $600. That is brought down to $150 to 400 by heat pumps, which do not create thermal energy with a resistance element, but instead move it around the air, consuming 60 to 75 percent less electricity in the process.
In the case of a Point Piper house with an antique electric system, and there are numerous ones in the apartment blocks of the suburb, changing over to a heat pump translates to savings of between 450 and 900 a year. With government rebates, the overall cost of a heat pump installation usually ranges between $1,500 and 3,500. With such rates of savings, the payback period will be four or six years with an additional six to ten years of net savings after that.
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs): A federal program under which installations of eligible heat pumps can create certificates with regard to anticipated energy savings. We issue these certificates, and charge the value, which is usually between $800 and $1,500 in the case of Point Piper, as an initial discount on your bill.
NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS): This is a state level initiative that offers extra rebates when an old system is replaced with a more efficient system. Together with STCs, total rebates of between $1,000 to 2,500 are usually possible. We can be accredited to do both schemes and do all the paperwork, you just see the lower final price.
We serve Piper and all the surrounding suburbia in the Eastern Suburbs, to repair, replace and upgrade hot water.
Same-day service. Careful workmanship. All brands, all types of systems. Give us a call and we'll get your hot water running again.
Or book online at plumber. Sydney.