Gas Hot Water Systems

Gas hot water systems remain a common option, especially in newer homes where tighter block widths make it hard to accommodate a 650mm-wide storage tank alongside the house. In areas connected to natural gas mains, including parts of Gympie, mains gas is significantly cheaper than bottled LPG. Instantaneous natural gas and LPG hot water units are compact—roughly suitcase-sized—and wall-mountable. These tankless hot water systems save valuable space as lot sizes shrink. Most models use electronic ignition instead of a standing pilot, improving gas efficiency, but they rely on electricity, so there’s no hot water during a blackout because there’s no stored reserve. Although LPG hot water systems are widely used, running costs have risen due to delivery, handling and cylinder hire charges, often making them pricier than an off-peak electric hot water service. Reliable operation typically requires two 45kg bottles. In some newer estates or master-planned communities without natural gas connections, developments may be tied into a central LPG distribution with metered accounts. That removes bottle hire costs but generally binds you to a single LPG supplier. Where natural gas mains are available, supply can be around 25–45% cheaper than bottled LPG. Be aware that many retailers now add service fees exceeding $50 per quarter on top of consumption. Water heating consumes substantially more gas than cooking or BBQs, so both efficiency and the structure of supply charges should factor into your decision.