Best Hot Water System for Renovations

Choosing the best hot water system for a renovation depends on the type of renovation, the number of bathrooms, household size, kitchen and laundry changes, available energy source, system location and the hot water demand after the work is complete. A renovation is one of the best times to review your hot water setup because the old system may not suit the new layout.

At Hot Water Outlet, you can compare hot water systems online, including electric hot water systems, heat pump hot water systems, gas hot water systems, instant gas hot water systems, instant electric hot water systems and common valves, pipework and fittings.

Quick Answer: What Is the Best Hot Water System for a Renovation?

The best hot water system for a renovation is the one that suits the finished home, not just the current home. If your renovation adds another bathroom, a larger bath, a new kitchen, a bigger laundry or more hot water outlets, your old system size may no longer be suitable.

As a general guide:

• Choose an electric hot water system if the home already uses electric storage and a straightforward tank-style replacement suits the renovation.

• Choose a heat pump hot water system if you want an efficient electric storage option and the renovation allows suitable outdoor space, airflow and location planning.

• Choose a gas hot water system if the home already uses natural gas or LPG and a traditional gas storage replacement suits the upgraded layout.

• Choose an instant gas hot water system if the home has natural gas or LPG and the renovation suits a continuous flow gas hot water system.

• Choose an instant electric hot water system only for suitable point-of-use applications where the electrical requirements and flow demand match the product.

For most renovation projects, start by mapping the finished layout, then compare system type, tank capacity, flow rate, energy source, dimensions, connection positions and required accessories.

Why Renovations Are the Right Time to Review Hot Water

A renovation can change how your home uses hot water. Even if the old system worked well before, it may not keep up after the renovation is complete.

Hot water demand can change when you add or upgrade:

• A second bathroom

• A larger bath

• A larger shower

• A double vanity

• A new kitchen

• A larger laundry

• A granny flat

• A guest bathroom

• An outdoor kitchen or utility area

• More occupants in the home

• More fixtures using hot water

This is why the best hot water system for a renovation should be selected for the future layout, not the old layout. If you simply replace the old system with the same size, you may end up with a system that is too small, poorly located or not suited to the new design.

Hot Water System Options for Renovations

The best renovation hot water system depends on the home’s energy source, finished layout, available space and expected demand.

What to Think About Before Choosing a Renovation Hot Water System

Before choosing a system, think about what the home will look like when the renovation is finished.

Key questions include:

• How many bathrooms will the home have?

• Will there be a larger bath?

• Will there be more showers?

• Will two showers run at the same time?

• Will the kitchen move further from the hot water system?

• Will the laundry use more hot water?

• Will there be a granny flat or second living area?

• Will more people live in the home?

• Is the current hot water location still suitable?

• Is the home staying electric, gas or changing energy source?

• Will new pipework, valves or fittings be needed?

• Will the system need to move?

A renovation gives you the chance to choose the system properly before everything is finished.

Best Electric Hot Water System for Renovations

An electric hot water system can be a practical choice during a renovation if the home already uses electric storage and the new layout still suits a tank-style system.

Electric storage may suit a renovation when:

• The current system is electric

• The home does not have natural gas or LPG

• A like-for-like replacement is preferred

• The tank location still works

• The renovation does not greatly increase demand

• The selected tank size suits the finished home

• A straightforward storage system is preferred

Electric storage systems are usually compared by tank capacity, recovery rate, pressure rating, dimensions, connection positions and power requirements.

For renovations, do not choose the same size automatically. If you are adding a bathroom, increasing bath use or changing household demand, compare the tank size against the finished layout.

Electric Hot Water for Renovations: What to Check

Before choosing electric storage for a renovation, check:

• Current tank capacity

• Future number of bathrooms

• Shower and bath demand

• Kitchen and laundry changes

• Recovery rate

• Power requirements

• Product dimensions

• Connection positions

• Indoor or outdoor suitability

• Delivery access

• Required valves and fittings

If the existing electric system was already close to its limit, the renovation may be the right time to compare larger storage or heat pump alternatives.

Best Heat Pump Hot Water System for Renovations

A heat pump hot water system can be a strong option for renovations where the homeowner wants an efficient electric storage system and the property has suitable outdoor space.

Heat pump hot water may suit a renovation when:

• The home currently uses electric storage

• The renovation allows better system location planning

• Outdoor space is available

• Airflow is suitable

• Noise can be managed

• The tank size suits future household demand

• The homeowner wants an efficient electric hot water option

Heat pumps need more location planning than standard electric storage. A renovation can make this easier because outdoor space, access, drainage and pipe routes may be considered earlier.

Heat Pump Hot Water for Renovations: What to Check

Before choosing a heat pump for a renovation, check:

• Outdoor location

• Airflow around the unit

• Noise rating

• Distance from bedrooms, windows and neighbours

• Future household demand

• Tank capacity

• Product dimensions

• Electrical requirements

• Connection positions

• Delivery access

• Required valves and fittings

A heat pump should be selected for both efficiency and suitability. The home must have the right location, not just the right budget.

Best Gas Hot Water System for Renovations

A gas hot water system may suit a renovation if the home already uses natural gas or LPG and a gas storage system still suits the finished layout.

Gas storage may suit a renovation when:

• The home already uses gas storage

• Natural gas or LPG is available

• A traditional tank-style system is preferred

• The tank size suits future demand

• The recovery rate suits the household

• The existing gas location still works

• The correct gas type is selected

Gas storage systems are usually compared by tank capacity, recovery rate, gas type, pressure rating, dimensions and connection positions.

For renovations, gas type is essential. Natural gas and LPG systems are not interchangeable.

Gas Hot Water for Renovations: What to Check

Before choosing gas storage for a renovation, check:

• Natural gas or LPG

• Current gas storage size

• Future number of bathrooms

• Shower and bath demand

• Recovery rate

• Product dimensions

• Connection positions

• Pressure rating

• Indoor or outdoor suitability

• Required valves and fittings

• Delivery access

If the renovation increases demand, the old gas storage size may no longer be enough.

Best Instant Gas Hot Water System for Renovations

An instant gas hot water system can suit renovations where natural gas or LPG is available and continuous flow hot water is preferred.

Instant gas may suit a renovation when:

• The home already has natural gas or LPG

• A compact wall-mounted system is preferred

• A large storage tank is not ideal

• The selected flow rate suits the finished home

• A bathroom or kitchen renovation changes hot water demand

• The correct gas type is selected

• A suitable external location is available

Instant gas systems are usually compared by flow rate in L/min. The right flow rate depends on the number of bathrooms, occupants and whether multiple outlets may run at once.

Instant Gas Hot Water for Renovations: What to Check

Before choosing instant gas for a renovation, check:

• Natural gas or LPG

• Required flow rate in L/min

• Future number of bathrooms

• Shower demand

• Bath use

• Whether two outlets may run at the same time

• Controller compatibility

• Outdoor wall location

• Product dimensions

• Connection positions

• Gas supply suitability

• Required valves and fittings

A renovation is a good time to compare flow rate properly because the finished home may use more hot water than the old home.

Best Instant Electric Hot Water System for Renovations

An instant electric hot water system can be useful for specific renovation applications, but it is not automatically suitable for whole-home hot water.

Instant electric may suit:

• Small point-of-use hot water needs

• A compact vanity or kitchenette

• A remote fixture where suitable

• Small applications where storage is not practical

• Projects where electrical requirements can be met

Instant electric systems need careful product selection. Electrical requirements can be significant, and these products should not be treated as a universal replacement for a whole-home storage system unless the product is specifically suitable.

Best Hot Water System for a Bathroom Renovation

Bathroom renovations can change hot water demand significantly, especially if you are adding a larger shower, bath, double vanity or second bathroom.

For a bathroom renovation, compare:

• Number of showers after renovation

• Shower flow demand

• Bath size

• Whether two bathrooms may be used at once

• Existing system capacity

• Tank size or flow rate

• Pipework changes

• Required valves and fittings

• Location of the hot water system

If the renovation adds a bath or second bathroom, the old hot water system may no longer be suitable.

Best Hot Water System for a Kitchen Renovation

A kitchen renovation may not always increase total hot water demand as much as a bathroom renovation, but it can still affect system planning.

For a kitchen renovation, check:

• Whether the kitchen is moving location

• Distance from the hot water system

• Sink hot water demand

• Dishwasher connection requirements

• Pipework changes

• Whether the existing system location still makes sense

• Required valves and fittings

If the kitchen is being moved further from the hot water system, licensed tradespeople may need to assess pipework, lagging and layout.

Best Hot Water System for a Laundry Renovation

Laundry renovations can affect hot water use depending on the appliances, sink setup and household routines.

For a laundry renovation, check:

• Whether the washing machine uses hot water

• Whether a laundry tub needs hot water

• Whether the laundry is moving

• Pipework requirements

• Distance from the hot water system

• Whether the current system can support peak demand

• Required valves and fittings

A laundry renovation is also a good time to check whether old valves, fittings or pipework should be reviewed as part of the wider project.

Best Hot Water System When Adding a Second Bathroom

Adding a second bathroom is one of the biggest reasons to reassess hot water sizing.

A second bathroom may mean:

• More showers per day

• Two showers used close together

• Higher morning and evening demand

• More vanity use

• More bath use

• Higher peak flow requirements

• More stress on an undersized tank

For homes adding a second bathroom, compare:

• Larger electric storage

• Larger heat pump hot water

• Gas storage with suitable recovery

• Instant gas with suitable flow rate

• Existing system performance

• Future household size

If the old system was already struggling, a second bathroom will usually make the issue worse.

Best Hot Water System When Adding a Bath

A bath can use a large amount of hot water at once. If your renovation includes a bath, choose a system that can handle that demand.

For homes adding a bath, compare:

• Tank capacity

• Recovery rate

• Heat pump capacity

• Gas storage performance

• Instant gas flow rate

• Whether showers will be used soon after the bath

• Household routines

A small storage tank may struggle if the bath is used regularly. If you have children or a larger household, bath demand should be planned carefully.

Best Hot Water System When Adding a Granny Flat

A granny flat or secondary living area can increase hot water demand and may change system planning.

For granny flat renovations, consider:

• Whether the granny flat needs its own hot water system

• Whether it will share the main system

• Number of occupants

• Bathroom and kitchenette demand

• Laundry use

• Distance from the main system

• Energy source

• Available space

• Required valves and fittings

A compact electric storage system, instant gas system or suitable point-of-use option may be relevant depending on the layout. Licensed tradespeople should assess the best setup.

Best Hot Water System When Moving the System Location

A renovation may involve moving the hot water system from one location to another. This can create opportunities, but it also needs careful planning.

Moving the system may affect:

• Pipework route

• Water pressure

• Delivery access

• Electrical requirements

• Gas requirements

• Drainage

• Noise

• Heat pump airflow

• Outdoor clearances

• Body corporate rules where relevant

If you are moving the system, compare product dimensions, location suitability and connection requirements before ordering.

Should You Replace the Hot Water System During a Renovation?

Replacing the hot water system during a renovation can make sense if the current unit is old, undersized, poorly located or not suited to the new layout.

Replacement may be worth considering if:

• The old unit is near the end of its life

• The renovation increases hot water demand

• The system location needs to change

• The old system often runs out

• The home is adding another bathroom

• You want to compare heat pump options

• You want to change from gas storage to instant gas

• Old valves or fittings need attention

• Access will be easier during renovation

Not every renovation needs a new hot water system. If the existing unit is relatively new, correctly sized and well located, it may still suit the finished home.

Renovation Hot Water Sizing Guide

Sizing depends on the system type.

Storage systems are measured by tank capacity in litres. This includes electric storage, gas storage and heat pump systems.

Instant gas systems are measured by flow rate in L/min.

When sizing for a renovation, consider:

• Future household size

• Future number of bathrooms

• Future shower demand

• Bath use

• Kitchen changes

• Laundry changes

• Whether outlets may run at the same time

• Current system performance

• Whether the old system runs out

• Tank capacity

• Recovery rate

• Flow rate

• Energy source

• Available space

The right size should be based on the completed renovation, not the current home.

Heat Pump vs Electric Storage for Renovations

For homes already using electric hot water, renovations often create a choice between standard electric storage and heat pump hot water.

Choose electric storage if you want simplicity and the existing setup still works. Compare heat pump if you want an efficient electric option and the renovation allows suitable location planning.

Gas Storage vs Instant Gas for Renovations

For homes already using gas, renovations often create a choice between gas storage and instant gas.

Choose gas storage if the existing tank-style setup works well. Compare instant gas if continuous flow hot water and a compact wall-mounted unit suit the renovated home.

Hot Water Brands to Compare for Renovations

Hot Water Outlet lists recognised hot water brands across electric, gas, heat pump and instant gas categories.

Depending on the renovation and system type, you may want to compare:

• Rheem hot water systems

• Rinnai hot water systems

• Dux hot water systems

• Bosch hot water systems

• Vulcan hot water systems

• iStore hot water systems

• Stiebel Eltron hot water systems

• Envirosun hot water systems

• Emerald Energy hot water systems

Brand can help narrow the search, but the final choice should be based on energy source, system type, tank capacity, flow rate, dimensions, location and product suitability.

Valves, Fittings and Pipework for Renovation Hot Water Systems

Renovations often involve pipework and fittings, so the hot water system order may need more than the main unit.

Common items to check include:

• Tempering valves

• Pressure relief valves

• Duo valves

• Non-return valves

• Isolation valves

• Copper pipework

• Fittings

• Controller accessories

• Thermostats

• Elements

• Connection parts

Hot Water Outlet has a dedicated range of valves, pipework and fittings to help customers compare common hot water accessories.

Always confirm compatibility before ordering.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Hot Water for a Renovation

Planning Around the Old Layout

The hot water system should suit the finished renovation, not the old floor plan.

Keeping the Same Size Without Checking Demand

If the renovation adds bathrooms, baths or extra occupants, the old size may no longer be suitable.

Choosing by Price Alone

A cheaper system may cost more overall if it is too small, poorly located or not suited to the new layout.

Forgetting Heat Pump Location Requirements

Heat pumps need suitable outdoor space, airflow and noise consideration. Renovations are a good time to plan this properly.

Choosing Instant Gas Without Checking Flow Rate

Instant gas must be sized for the number of bathrooms and expected simultaneous use.

Forgetting Natural Gas vs LPG

Natural gas and LPG systems are not interchangeable. Always confirm gas type before ordering.

Ignoring Pipework and Fittings

Renovations often change pipework requirements. Check valves, fittings and accessories early.

Assuming DIY Is Suitable

Hot water systems involve plumbing, gas and electrical work. These tasks should be completed by licensed tradespeople.

Renovation Hot Water Buyer Checklist

Before ordering a hot water system for a renovation, check:

• Current hot water system type

• Current brand and model

• Current tank size or flow rate

• Whether the current system runs out

• Electricity, natural gas or LPG

• Future number of occupants

• Future number of bathrooms

• Shower demand

• Bath use

• Kitchen changes

• Laundry changes

• Whether outlets may run at the same time

• Desired system type

• Tank capacity if storage

• Flow rate in L/min if instant gas

• Recovery rate

• Product dimensions

• Proposed system location

• Heat pump airflow if relevant

• Heat pump noise rating if relevant

• Gas type if choosing gas

• Power requirements

• Connection positions

• Required valves and fittings

• Delivery access

• Warranty information

• Product specifications

Compare Hot Water Systems for Renovations Online

Hot Water Outlet makes it easier to compare hot water systems for renovations by type, brand, size, energy source and product specifications.

Start with:

• Hot Water Systems

• Electric Hot Water Systems

• Heat Pump Hot Water Systems

• Gas Hot Water Systems

• Instant Gas Hot Water Systems

• Instant Electric Hot Water Systems

• Valves, Pipework and Fittings

FAQs About Hot Water Systems for Renovations

What is the best hot water system for a renovation?

The best hot water system for a renovation is the one that suits the finished home. Compare the future number of bathrooms, bath use, kitchen and laundry changes, energy source, system location, tank size and flow rate before ordering.

Should I replace my hot water system during a renovation?

It may be worth replacing the hot water system during a renovation if the old unit is unreliable, undersized, poorly located or not suited to the new layout. If the current system is newer and still suits the finished home, replacement may not be necessary.

What size hot water system do I need after renovating?

The right size depends on the finished home’s number of occupants, bathrooms, showers, bath use, kitchen use and laundry use. Storage systems are measured in litres, while instant gas systems are measured by flow rate in L/min.

Is a heat pump good for a renovation?

A heat pump can be a strong option for a renovation if the home has suitable outdoor space, airflow and noise conditions. It is often compared when replacing old electric storage with an efficient electric option.

Is instant gas hot water good for renovations?

Instant gas can suit renovations where natural gas or LPG is available and continuous flow hot water is preferred. The flow rate must match the number of bathrooms and expected hot water demand.

Should I keep the same hot water system size after adding a bathroom?

Not automatically. Adding a bathroom can increase hot water demand. Compare the current tank size or flow rate against the new layout before choosing a replacement.

What hot water system is best when adding a bath?

Homes adding a bath may need more storage capacity, stronger recovery or a better-matched instant gas flow rate. Bath use can place high demand on a hot water system, especially in family homes.

Do renovation hot water systems need valves and fittings?

Many renovation projects require valves, pipework or fittings depending on the system type, pressure rating and connection layout. Browse valves, pipework and fittings and confirm compatibility before ordering.

Can I install a hot water system myself during a renovation?

No. Hot water systems involve plumbing, gas and electrical work that should be completed by appropriately licensed tradespeople. Hot Water Outlet sells supply-only hot water systems and accessories online, and may help organise quotes from reputable installers where appropriate.

What should I check before buying a renovation hot water system online?

Check the finished layout, number of bathrooms, bath use, kitchen and laundry demand, energy source, tank size or flow rate, dimensions, system location, connection positions, required valves, warranty information and product specifications.

Find the Best Hot Water System for Your Renovation

The best hot water system for a renovation is the one that suits the finished home, not just the current setup. Before ordering, compare system type, tank capacity, flow rate, gas type, recovery rate, dimensions, location, connection positions, warranty information and required accessories.

Browse hot water systems online with Hot Water Outlet to compare electric, heat pump, gas, instant gas, instant electric and hot water accessories by brand, size and product specifications.