Hotwater Service

[loanrangie]

My hot water service **** itself last night so i got a quote from a so called family friend on 2 suitable replacements, Aquamax 440 $1525 fitted, Dux 135 ltr $1285 fitted for external gas units. Called into Bunnings on the way home and they had both units there Aquamx $999 and Dux $740, so am i getting ripped on installation or what ? Not going ahead just yet untill i get some better quotes.

[George130]

Saw a quote at work today for $1700. Sounded rediculouse.

[one_iota]

Go the self help route at those prices...not legal but connecting two water pipes and a gas pipe armed with a shifter and some teflon tape isn't exactly a challenge for a Land Rover owner.

[loanrangie]

Very true, i have no problems with fitting it myself it is just the legalities that worry me - mind you i did re plumb and re wire my downstairs rooms after a flood we had earlier this year.

[Andrewpv01]

All you need is a bit of water in a squirt bottle with detergent in it to check for leaks. Spray the soapy water around the joint and it will stay on the joint long enough so you can see if any gas is escaping.
Also make sure you use teflon tape for gas - I think it is pink not white? I use a Loctite high pressure jointing compound - top stuff if you have any. I have used it on LPG cars and after left for an hour or two to dry it never leaks.

Andrew

[sclarke]

Get the new one to your house and pm me, i'll come over and hook it up for you for a slab......
Clarkie

[CraigE]

Should not take a competent tradesman more than 2hrs max to remove the old and install the new, and they would get it at trade prices, so less than the Bunnings shelf price. My Father in law fitted our last one as he was a gas fitter / Kleenheat gas manager. Even with a cuppa and chatting still only took an hour.

[EchiDna]

I hope you will keep the old one for a wash tank for a biodiesel setup??? a pump, a heater and a few chemicals - your 90% there :)

[DiscoCam]

Had similiarly scary quotes for an electric unit of approx 250l earlier this year which often excluded another $200 worth of valves! Ended up getting a Saxon 160l from Bunnings for about $600 & fitted it myself.

Good luck.:cool:

[loanrangie]

Thanks for all reply's especially clarkey's generous offer, waiting to hear from the bank for a redraw and then i will do some shopping around for a new unit.
Old one is rusted out internally so no good for a bio setup ( i did think of that ). Once i have the green light, i will pull the old one out in readiness.
I think the missus must have cursed us as we had 35k of flood damage to our house after a pipe burst under the kitchen sink and flooded 2 downstairs rooms, and of course she said " what next, the hotwater service will blow up !" Man this year has sucked big time, the flood, my wifes cars engine died on good friday cracking the head while we were on our way to Phillip Island , our black cat got run over the same day and then my staffy ran away ( he came back). Surely this must be the end of our bad run - hopefully.

[amtravic1]

The prices may sound alot but they seem fair to me. (I am a registered builder and deal with trades all the time). Around $1000 for the aquamax unit, often tradesman cant buy any cheaper than Bunnings prices, pick up the new one, drive to your house, fit the new one with a new pressure relief valve if it does not come with the HWS, a bit of pipe, perhaps a new concrete block to sit it on, supply a guarantee and certificate of compliance as required by Vic law and dispose of the old one. Work it out for yourself. Even friends need to make a little bit of money.

Ian

[CraigE]

Thanks for all reply's especially clarkey's generous offer, waiting to hear from the bank for a redraw and then i will do some shopping around for a new unit.
Old one is rusted out internally so no good for a bio setup ( i did think of that ). Once i have the green light, i will pull the old one out in readiness.
I think the missus must have cursed us as we had 35k of flood damage to our house after a pipe burst under the kitchen sink and flooded 2 downstairs rooms, and of course she said " what next, the hotwater service will blow up !" Man this year has sucked big time, the flood, my wifes cars engine died on good friday cracking the head while we were on our way to Phillip Island , our black cat got run over the same day and then my staffy ran away ( he came back). Surely this must be the end of our bad run - hopefully.
At least the Staffy is loyal. Great dogs, We have our 3rd at the momment.

[Bushie]

If the gas is already there do it yourself. If the gas connection has to be run/moved from somewhere else on the house probably about right for price.


Martyn