There is nothing like a seasonal hot water issue in Australia to have you shivering at a cold shower in the depths of winter or put you to wondering why the tap is scalding in the height of summer. Put down to seasonal demand, solar performance, a change in the temperature, a fault in the plumbing or an old system past its best.
Noah Campbell here. Living close to Cairns one is accustomed to humidity, salt air and the odd storm, not to mention the sun; it is hard on household equipment. I can tell you that usual water heater problems have a way of coming when it is least convenient, be it with visitors in the house, the weather going feral or after someone has made off with the last towel. This guide will set out the differences between summer and winter, what is safe to check on your own and when to call in a licensed plumber.
How Seasons Change Hot Water
A hot water system is affected differently by the seasons. You will see better solar heating in summer but a greater need for cold water, whereas in winter the stored hot water is gone in no time and there is less to be gained from the sun.
Then again, Australia does not have a uniform experience of winter or summer. The calendar means as much as the local weather and the make of the system when you are in Hobart or Perth or the Top End as it does in Cairns.
Summer Demand Can Still Rise
With the warmth comes more swimming, outdoor pursuits, guests and extra washing. A home will put more demand on its hot water even if what is coming in is warmer.
Storms in summer can cause pressure changes, mess with solar controls and cut the power. Up north in the wet season you have heavy rain and the odd cyclone outage. The system could be in good order but not able to heat the water while the power is out.
Winter Reduces Available Heat
The colder mains water and lack of useful sunlight for the collectors in winter mean longer recovery times. Electric and gas units have to put in more work to get the water up to scratch.
In the southern states and alpine regions, or where the solar is of an older vintage, it is plain to see. What was a comfortable shower in late spring turns lukewarm once two people have been in there in the morning. It is not a failure of the system so much as a matter of recovery.
Match Problems To System Types
To put a finger on a fault you should know what kind of system is in the home. Whether it is electric or gas storage, instantaneous, solar or a heat pump, they all have their seasonal vulnerabilities.
Do not be like most and think every cold shower is one and the same. An electric unit with a bad element is not the same as a solar system on a cloudy winter morn.
| System Type | Common Summer Issue | Common Winter Issue | First Safe Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Storage | Power interruption or high demand | Slow recovery, failed element | See if other electricals are working |
| Gas Storage | Excessive demand or gas supply cut off | Pilot/ignition faults, longer recovery | Is the gas supply there? |
| Instantaneous Gas | Fluctuations in flow or temp | Output capacity down due to cold inlet | One tap will do, look for error indicators |
| Solar Hot Water | High demand, relief-valve discharge, overheating | Cloud cover, poor collection | After daylight hours, and don’t touch any hot parts |
| Heat Pump | Storms or extreme heat take their toll | Icing on the outdoor unit, protracted heating | Check power and any odd sounds |
The Australian Government puts forward some sound information on hot water systems for the household, covering the main categories.
Summer Faults Worth Checking
Most of the year the system is fine which makes a summer problem seem enigmatic. More often than not it is a component that has given up the ghost, a storm or an abrupt change in use.
A hot day is no guarantee of endless hot water. Instantaneous units are reliant on their gas and electrical controls and the tank has only so much in it.
Solar Water Runs Too Hot
If there has been a run of clear weather and little use in the house, a solar system will make very hot water. The tempering valve is supposed to keep the temperature in check at the taps and showers, but a defective one will let it get to dangerous levels. On a hot day you may also spot some water coming from the relief valve. Some discharge is to be expected as the water heats and expands, yet if it is a constant stream or you see damage or an unexplained loss of water, get a professional in to have a look.
As for the solar collectors on the roof, do not make a weekend of it to go up there and examine them yourself. With the wet roofing, electricals and piping that can get very hot, it is not worth the trouble.
Heating Disrupted by Storms
When a summer storm has passed, before writing off the hot water unit, see if the house is without power. You may check for a tripped breaker but only where it is safe and you are not in contact with any damp equipment. Should the breaker trip once more, put it down; do not keep resetting it.
A gas system will cease to function should its electrical supply, igniter or control board be compromised. The moment one detects the odour of gas, vacate the premises, stay clear of switches and put in a call to a licensed gas man or the emergency services.
Tanks Run Dry from Extra Showers
It is no mechanical failing when the tank is reduced to a cold-water queue because of a round of visitors, children back from school or some time in the pool. A 250-litre storage tank is not going to furnish endless showers just on account of warm weather.
Try to limit the length of your showers and put off the dishwasher and washing machine until after the shower room is less busy. If under normal circumstances the problem persists, have the thermostat, burner, element or capacity of the system put to the test.
Winter Faults That Bite
Weak systems are laid bare in winter. With the incoming water cold, less to work with from the sun and longer showers, there is little margin between things being fine and wondering why the water is no warmer than what comes out of the garden hose.
One is tempted to put up with the unreliable water for a few days, but intermittent heating can turn into outright failure and a minor leak is capable of seeing your walls, flooring or electrics damaged.
Solar Systems Need Backup
In the absence of sufficient sun, a booster is what most solar hot water systems rely on. Winter mornings will yield lukewarm water if it is off or hampered by a timer or is otherwise at fault.
The manufacturer will tell you how to check the electricity and user controls, but leave the wiring and covers well alone. An electrician or plumber with the proper licence is better placed to put the booster and heating element through their paces.
Heat Pumps Work Longer
Because they are drawing heat from cold air, a heat pump might run longer in these conditions; it is not a sign of a broken system.
But then again, do not put off dealing with an outdoor unit that has water about it, is vibrating excessively or gives off a grinding noise and alarm codes. Do not try to chip away ice with boiling water or take the unit apart, and make sure leaves and other stored items are not in the way.
Cold Pipes Feel Like Failure
In a raised home or garage, an exposed run of pipe can let the heat escape before it gets to the tap. It can seem like a fault even if the water does in time get hot. Performance is a matter of insulation, the layout and how far the bathroom is from the tank. A plumber will know if it is an undersized system or a valve on the way out.
Read The Warning Signs
There is a difference between a supply issue and something that poses a safety risk or is on the verge of failing. Noting the pattern is a good use of time before a professional is summoned.
Make a note of which taps are involved and any odd sounds, and when it happens. “It is doing that thing again” is not as helpful as a straight description.
- If there is no hot water to be had, verify the gas or power and if all is in order, set up for a professional to test it.
- Hot water at one tap and not another? There could be a tempering or cartridge problem with the local mixer.
- Water turns cold quickly? Consider the tank capacity, high use, thermostat or heating-element faults.
- For brown or rusty water, put the hot tap out of commission for drinking and consult a plumber.
- Pooling water around the unit is to be regarded as a potential leak, so stand clear of the electrics.
- If the shower is running very hot, discontinue use of the outlet and have the tempering control seen to as a matter of urgency.
Such symptoms are not mutually exclusive and cannot take the place of a diagnosis. While “usual water heater problems” is a catch all, the season of the year will help a pro to put things in perspective.
Safe Checks Before Calling
Before making the call, a few basic checks can be done without opening anything up to rule out a household usage matter. But the unit is a mix of pressure, gas, electricity and heat, so be wary. If it is leaking badly, makes you nervous with the noise or is in any way damaged, do not go near it.
- See if the cold water is behaving itself at a number of taps.
- First, verify the home has power and a gas supply in order.
- Put the system under inspection at ground level for any leaks, odd discharges or error lights.
- Determine if the problem is isolated to a tap or bathroom or if it is present at all outlets.
- Make a note of the model, brand and any error code that can be seen for the plumber’s benefit.
Under no circumstances should one tinker with gas controls, put a cap on a relief-valve outlet, get on the roof or take off an electrical cover. Nor should a drain or pipe meant to relieve pressure be obstructed.
Choose Repairs With Care
Whether to repair or replace is a matter of the fault, the energy source and the state and age of the system. One might make a small valve change, but putting in repeated repairs on a tank that is corroded is only putting off the day of reckoning.
Have the fault and the proposed fix put in writing along with the price in Australian dollars and how long the service will last. There is no national figure to go by as costs are dictated by the type of system, the parts, where one is located and how urgent the job is.
When A Plumber Is Needed
For anything to do with storage tanks, solar plumbing, tempering valves, gas water heaters or issues with pressure and leaks, a licensed plumber is called for. An electrician with the proper licence may be needed for electrical work per local rules.
There is sense in getting help at once if one smells gas, has scalding water, a major leak, smoke or exposed wiring, or the circuit-breaker is tripping over and over again, or water is making its way into electrical gear. A cold shower is an irritation; an injury that could have been avoided is another matter.
When Replacement Makes Sense
It is worth having a talk about replacement if the system is not up to the household any longer, hot water is of a poor quality or one is faced with recurring repair bills on a corroded tank. What a couple requires in terms of capacity is not what a family on the increase would need.
The purchase price alone does not tell the whole story of the cost. One must think about the climate, roof space, noise, where the unit is sited and the pattern of hot water use in the home, as well as access for servicing down the track.
Plan For Each Season
Some forethought will stave off the usual holiday breakdown. It is better to have the hot water system in order before guests are due than to have someone in the bathroom with shampoo in hand and raising his voice. If warning signs were evident in the last season, a professional should be brought in. This is especially so for solar and heat-pump systems out in the elements.
Before Summer Arrives
Before summer, look for storm damage to the electrics, check insulation and look for any unusual discharge from the relief-valve. Keep vegetation trimmed back from outdoor apparatus but do not impede access or ventilation.
In the north where cyclones are a fact of life, heed the emergency advice and put away outdoor items ahead of bad weather. Do not go near infrastructure damaged by a cyclone until the authorities give the all clear.
Before Winter Arrives
As winter approaches, see if the system is up to the task of a normal morning. A timer on a solar booster should be in line with the household routine and not have been put off by accident.
If the water is lukewarm or the system is making noise, book in for repairs early. Put it off to the first really cold morning and one will find there are not many appointments to be had and more complaints in the house.
Final Takeaway For Homeowners
In Australia the seasonal hot water troubles tend to be put down to ageing parts, the weather, less solar output or simply a change in demand. Winter does not spell system failure and summer is not without its problems.
A practical way to proceed is to make some safe observations and record them, ascertaining if the whole home is affected or just one outlet. Leave it to a licensed professional if gas, electricity, pressure or dangerously hot water is in the equation. It makes for a safer repair and a less eventful shower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does My Hot Water Run Out Faster In Winter?
The incoming water is colder and demands more of the system to heat it. Showers run longer and the sun is not as useful to the solar set up. If it is a marked difference, a problem with the thermostat, heating element or capacity of the system could be at play.
Why Is My Solar Hot Water Cold In Summer?
Could be a circulation or tempering-valve issue, a bad booster or the system has not got over some cloudy weather. See if the rest of the home is affected and have a professional look at it.
Should I Turn Off Hot Water When Travelling?
On a short trip, consult the manufacturer and the type of system you have. Gas, heat-pump and solar units have their own way of being shut down. Only isolate power or gas when it is appropriate and safe, otherwise ask for some expert opinion.
Is A Leaking Relief Valve An Emergency?
Water will expand and heat and a little discharge is to be expected. But if it is a constant flow or pooling around the unit, call in a professional. Do not put a blockage or cap on the outlet, it is there for safety.
Can I Repair A Hot Water System Myself?
One can check the system and the like, but leave the tanks, valves, roof-mounted solar and anything to do with gas or electricity to the licensed tradesmen. Attempting it yourself runs the risk of fire, shock, scalding and water damage.