Gas water heaters (gas)

Gas hot water systems remain a favored option, especially in newer homes where narrow block sizes make fitting a 650mm-wide storage tank down the side impractical. In Caloundra and surrounding areas, many properties are tied into natural gas mains, which typically deliver a far cheaper supply than bottled LPG cylinders. Instantaneous natural gas and LPG hot water units are compact—about the size of a small suitcase—and can be wall-mounted. These tankless systems save valuable space as lot dimensions shrink. Most models use electronic ignition instead of a continuous pilot light, reducing gas consumption over time, but they do rely on electricity, so there’s no hot water during a blackout because no supply is stored. LPG hot water setups, while still widespread, have grown more expensive once delivery, handling and cylinder rental fees are factored in, often making them pricier to run than off-peak electric hot water systems. Typically, reliable operation needs two 45kg gas bottles. In some newer estates or master-planned communities without natural gas, a central LPG distribution with meters is provided. That arrangement removes bottle rental costs but generally ties you to a single gas supplier. Where mains natural gas is available, it’s usually 25–45% cheaper than bottled LPG. Be aware, though, that many suppliers now add service charges exceeding $50 per quarterly bill in addition to usage charges. Because water heating consumes substantially more gas than cooking or barbecuing, both appliance efficiency and overall supply costs are key considerations when choosing a Caloundra plumber for hot water system installation or repairs, whether gas and electric options are being considered.