Best Hot Water System for Homes Without Gas: Complete Buyer’s Guide

Jun 26, 2026

If your home does not have natural gas or LPG, the best hot water system is usually an electric storage system, heat pump hot water system or instant electric hot water system, depending on your household size, number of bathrooms, electrical setup, available space, outdoor airflow, budget and hot water demand.

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

Quick Answer: What Is the Best Hot Water System Without Gas?

For homes without gas, the best hot water system is usually one of these options:

Choose an electric hot water system if you want a practical tank-style replacement and the selected tank capacity suits your household.
Choose a heat pump hot water system if you want efficient electric hot water and the property has suitable outdoor space, airflow, drainage, noise placement and electrical requirements.
Choose an instant electric hot water system only where electrical capacity, flow demand and usage pattern are suitable.
Avoid comparing gas systems unless natural gas or LPG is actually available and practical for the property.
Confirm electrical requirements before ordering supply-only.
Check tank capacity, dimensions, valves and fittings before buying.

For most homes without gas, the main decision is between standard electric storage and heat pump hot water.

Best Hot Water Options for Homes Without Gas at a Glance

System Type	May Suit	Watch Out For
Electric storage	Simple tank-style replacements, units, rentals, townhouses and homes without gas	Tank size, power requirements, running schedule, space
Heat pump hot water	Homes wanting efficient electric hot water where outdoor conditions suit	Airflow, noise, drainage, tank capacity, electrical setup
Instant electric	Selected outlets or suitable applications	High electrical demand, flow limitations, switchboard requirements
Gas hot water	Usually not relevant unless LPG is being added	Gas supply, bottles, regulators, gas fitting, natural gas/LPG compatibility

Homes without gas should usually start with electric and heat pump options before considering anything else.

Start With Your Current Hot Water System

Before choosing a new hot water system, check what is already installed.

Look for:

Current brand and model
Current system type
Tank capacity in litres
Electrical rating
Indoor or outdoor location
Product dimensions
Connection positions
Whether the system keeps up
Whether it runs out during peak use
Whether the household size has changed
Whether the system is on off-peak or controlled load
Whether the switchboard has capacity for the replacement

If your current electric storage system has worked well, a similar tank size may be practical.

If it regularly runs out, takes too long to recover or no longer suits the household, compare larger electric storage or heat pump options before ordering.

Electric Storage Hot Water for Homes Without Gas

Electric storage is one of the most common options for homes without gas.

An electric storage system heats and stores hot water in a tank. It is sized by tank capacity in litres.

Electric storage may suit:

Homes without natural gas
Units
Townhouses
Rental properties
Like-for-like electric replacements
Homes where a simple tank-style system is preferred
Properties where heat pump location is not practical
Homes where upfront product cost is a key factor

Before choosing electric storage, check:

Tank capacity
Number of people in the home
Number of bathrooms
Shower habits
Bath use
Current system size
Whether the old system runs out
Electrical requirements
Product dimensions
Indoor or outdoor suitability
Required valves and fittings

Electric storage can be practical, but choosing the right tank size is important.

Heat Pump Hot Water for Homes Without Gas

Heat pump hot water is often compared by homes without gas because it uses electricity and can be a more efficient option than standard electric storage where the property suits it.

A heat pump may suit if:

You want efficient electric hot water
Outdoor space is available
Airflow around the unit is suitable
Condensate drainage can be managed
Noise placement is acceptable
Electrical requirements can be met
The selected tank capacity suits household demand
Delivery access is practical

A heat pump may not suit if:

The only available location is enclosed
Airflow is restricted
The unit would be too close to bedrooms or neighbours
Drainage is difficult
Electrical upgrades are not practical
A standard electric storage replacement is simpler
The selected tank capacity is too small

Browse heat pump hot water systems if your home has suitable outdoor conditions.

Instant Electric Hot Water for Homes Without Gas

Instant electric hot water can suit selected applications, but it is not automatically the best whole-home replacement.

An instant electric system may suit if:

Flow demand is modest
The system is for a suitable outlet or application
Electrical capacity is suitable
Licensed tradespeople confirm requirements
Product specifications match the intended use
A storage tank is not preferred

Instant electric may not suit if:

Whole-home demand is high
Multiple showers may run together
Electrical capacity is limited
Switchboard upgrades are not practical
Flow expectations are too high
A storage or heat pump system is more suitable

Browse instant electric hot water systems if you are comparing compact electric options, but confirm electrical suitability before ordering.

Electric Storage vs Heat Pump Without Gas

For many homes without gas, this is the main decision.

Option	Best Suited To	Main Checks
Electric storage	Homes wanting a simple tank-style replacement	Tank capacity, power supply, dimensions, tariff setup
Heat pump hot water	Homes wanting efficient electric hot water where outdoor conditions suit	Airflow, drainage, noise, electrical setup, tank capacity

Electric storage may be better if you want a straightforward replacement and the current tank location works.

Heat pump hot water may be better if the home has suitable outdoor space, airflow and drainage, and the selected model suits household demand.

Neither is automatically better. The right choice depends on the property.

Why Gas Is Usually Not the First Choice Without Gas

If your home does not already have gas, installing a gas hot water system may require more than just buying a gas unit.

Gas may require:

Natural gas availability or LPG bottle setup
Gas pipework
Regulators where relevant
Gas fitting work
Compliance checks
External unit location
Ventilation and clearance checks
Ongoing gas supply arrangements

Natural gas and LPG are not interchangeable. A natural gas hot water system cannot simply be used on LPG unless the exact model is designed and approved for that gas type.

For many homes without existing gas, electric storage or heat pump hot water is usually more practical to compare first.

Best Hot Water System Without Gas for One Bathroom

A one-bathroom home without gas may suit electric storage, heat pump hot water or selected instant electric options.

Electric storage may suit if:

A simple tank replacement is preferred
Hot water demand is low to moderate
The current electric tank size works
Product dimensions fit the location

Heat pump hot water may suit if:

Outdoor space is available
Airflow is suitable
Drainage can be managed
Noise placement is acceptable
Tank capacity suits demand

Instant electric may suit selected applications where:

Electrical capacity is suitable
Flow demand is modest
The intended use matches product specifications

A one-bathroom family home may need more hot water than a smaller home with one or two people.

Best Hot Water System Without Gas for Two Bathrooms

Two-bathroom homes without gas need more careful sizing because demand can overlap.

Electric storage may suit if:

A larger tank is selected where needed
The electrical setup is suitable
The current tank location works
The home prefers a storage-style system

Heat pump hot water may suit if:

Tank capacity matches household demand
Outdoor airflow is suitable
Drainage can be managed
Noise placement is acceptable
Electrical requirements can be met

For two bathrooms, do not choose only by product price. Tank capacity and recovery suitability matter more.

Best Hot Water System Without Gas for Families

Families usually have higher hot water demand, especially during morning and evening peaks.

A family home without gas should compare:

Larger electric storage systems
Heat pump hot water systems with suitable tank capacity
Other electric options only where the electrical setup and usage pattern are suitable

Check:

Number of people in the home
Number of bathrooms
Shower duration
Back-to-back showers
Bath use
Kitchen hot water use
Laundry use
Current tank capacity
Whether the old system runs out
Available space
Electrical requirements

A family home can still run out of hot water if the tank is undersized, even if the system type is suitable.

Best Hot Water System Without Gas for Small Homes

Small homes without gas may suit compact or medium electric storage, heat pump hot water or selected instant electric options.

Electric storage may suit if:

Demand is low to moderate
A tank-style system is already installed
Space is available
A simple replacement is preferred

Heat pump hot water may suit if:

Outdoor airflow is suitable
Noise placement works
Drainage can be managed
Tank capacity suits demand

Instant electric may suit selected applications if:

Flow demand is low
Electrical capacity is suitable
Licensed tradespeople confirm requirements

Small homes still need proper checks. Limited space can affect tank, heat pump and electrical options.

Best Hot Water System Without Gas for Units

Units often use electric hot water because gas access may be limited or building rules may restrict other options.

Electric storage may suit units if:

An electric tank is already installed
Product dimensions fit the available space
Electrical requirements can be met
Body corporate rules allow the replacement
Delivery access is practical

Heat pump hot water may suit units if:

A suitable outdoor location is available
Body corporate rules allow it
Airflow is not restricted
Noise will not affect neighbours
Condensate drainage can be managed

Instant electric may suit selected unit applications, but whole-home suitability should be checked carefully.

For units, check building and body corporate requirements before ordering supply-only.

Best Hot Water System Without Gas for Townhouses

Townhouses without gas can suit electric storage or heat pump hot water depending on layout.

Electric storage may suit if:

The current tank location works
Garage, cupboard or outdoor space is suitable
Product dimensions fit
Electrical requirements can be met

Heat pump hot water may suit if:

Outdoor airflow is available
The unit is not too close to bedrooms or neighbours
Condensate drainage can be managed
Body corporate rules allow it
Delivery access is practical

Townhouses need careful checking because side access, boundaries and neighbour distance can limit heat pump placement.

Best Hot Water System Without Gas for Rental Properties

Rental properties without gas need practical electric hot water systems that suit likely tenant demand.

Electric storage may suit rentals if:

Electric storage is already installed
A straightforward replacement is preferred
Tank capacity suits the property size
Product dimensions fit the current location
Electrical setup is suitable

Heat pump hot water may suit rentals if:

Outdoor space and airflow are suitable
Noise is unlikely to create complaints
Drainage is practical
Tank capacity suits likely tenants
Maintenance access is reasonable

Avoid undersizing rental hot water. A cheaper system can lead to tenant complaints if it does not keep up.

Best Hot Water System Without Gas for Renovations

Renovations are a good time to reassess hot water because the finished home may have different demand.

You may need a different electric hot water system if:

A second bathroom is being added
More people will live in the home
A bath is being added
The tank location is changing
Electrical work is being upgraded
A heat pump location can be planned early
Solar PV is being added or upgraded
Drainage can be allowed for
Noise placement can be considered before landscaping

Plan hot water around the finished home, not the old system.

Best Hot Water System Without Gas for Solar Homes

Homes without gas often also compare solar-friendly hot water options.

If you have rooftop solar, you may want to compare:

Heat pump hot water
Electric storage hot water
Instant electric for selected applications

A heat pump may suit a solar home if:

Outdoor airflow is suitable
Tank capacity matches demand
Electrical requirements can be confirmed
Timer or tariff setup is appropriate
Noise and drainage can be managed

Electric storage may suit if:

A tank-style replacement is preferred
Timing and tariff setup can be managed
The tank size suits the household
Heat pump location is not practical

Solar does not automatically make any system the best choice. Hot water usage, timing, electrical setup and location still matter.

Best Brands for Homes Without Gas

For homes without gas, the most relevant brands are usually electric storage, heat pump and instant electric brands.

Brands to compare include:

Choose the system type first, then compare the brand and model.

Electric Hot Water Tank Capacity

Electric storage and heat pump systems are sized by tank capacity in litres.

Before choosing a tank size, check:

Current tank capacity
Whether the old system keeps up
Number of people in the home
Number of bathrooms
Shower duration
Back-to-back showers
Bath use
Kitchen hot water use
Laundry use
Future household changes

A correctly sized tank is more important than choosing the cheapest available model.

Heat Pump Location Requirements

If you are comparing heat pump hot water for a home without gas, location is critical.

Before choosing a heat pump, check:

Outdoor location
Airflow around the system
Clearance from walls and fences
Whether the area is enclosed
Distance from bedrooms
Distance from neighbours
Condensate drainage
Electrical access
Product dimensions
Delivery access

A heat pump should not be installed in an unsuitable location just because it looks good on paper.

Noise Placement for Heat Pumps

Heat pump hot water systems make operating noise, so placement should be planned carefully.

Consider whether the proposed location is near:

Bedroom windows
Neighbouring bedrooms
Courtyards
Outdoor living areas
Boundary fences
Narrow side passages
Unit balconies
Shared walls

The best location balances airflow, drainage, access and noise.

Condensate Drainage for Heat Pumps

Heat pump systems can produce condensate during operation.

Before ordering, check:

Where condensate will drain
Whether water could pool around the unit
Whether drainage work may be needed
Whether the site has fall
Whether drainage could create a slip risk
Whether the installer has confirmed requirements

Drainage should be checked before ordering supply-only.

Electrical Requirements

Homes without gas usually rely on electrical hot water, so electrical requirements are essential.

Before ordering, check:

Existing electrical supply
Switchboard suitability
Circuit requirements
Single-phase or three-phase requirements where relevant
Controlled load or off-peak setup
Timer or tariff setup
Product electrical specifications
Whether upgrades may be required

Electrical work must be completed by appropriately licensed tradespeople.

Rebates, STCs and Incentives

Heat pump rebates, STCs or incentives may be available in some areas, but they can change and may depend on product eligibility, installer eligibility, property details, purchase type and program rules.

Before choosing a hot water system based on incentives, check:

Current program rules
Product eligibility
Installer requirements
Property eligibility
Customer eligibility
Whether the advertised price includes or excludes incentives
Whether the incentive applies to supply-only purchases

Do not choose a system only because of a rebate. Suitability comes first.

Supply-Only Pricing vs Installed Cost

When comparing hot water systems for homes without gas online, make sure you understand what the price includes.

Hot Water Outlet sells supply-only hot water systems and accessories online. Supply-only pricing usually does not include:

Installation
Plumbing labour
Electrical work
Old unit removal
Disposal
Valves
Fittings
Pipework changes
Drainage work
Switchboard upgrades
Compliance upgrades
Concrete bases or platforms
Delivery beyond what is shown at checkout

Before ordering, confirm full job requirements with appropriately licensed tradespeople.

Valves, Fittings and Accessories

A hot water order may need valves, fittings or accessories as well as the main unit.

Common items include:

Tempering valves
Pressure relief valves
Duo valves
Non-return valves
Isolation valves
Copper pipework
Fittings
Drainage parts
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 Without Gas

Assuming Gas Is Needed for Good Hot Water

Many homes without gas use electric storage or heat pump hot water successfully when the system is correctly sized and suited to the property.

Choosing the Cheapest Electric Tank

The cheapest tank may be too small, unsuitable or missing required accessories.

Assuming Heat Pump Suits Every Electric Replacement

Heat pumps need outdoor airflow, drainage, noise placement and electrical suitability.

Ignoring Electrical Requirements

Electric storage, heat pump and instant electric systems all need suitable electrical setup.

Choosing Instant Electric Without Checking Load

Instant electric hot water can require careful electrical assessment, especially for whole-home use.

Forgetting Body Corporate Rules

Units and townhouses may have rules that affect system type and location.

Comparing Supply-Only Price to Installed Cost

Supply-only product pricing is not the same as full replacement cost.

Forgetting Valves and Fittings

The hot water unit may not be the complete order.

Buyer Checklist for Homes Without Gas

Before choosing a hot water system without gas, check:

Current hot water system brand and model
Current system type
Current tank capacity
Whether the current system keeps up
Number of people in the home
Number of bathrooms
Shower habits
Bath use
Desired system type
Electric storage, heat pump or instant electric
Desired tank capacity
Electrical supply
Switchboard suitability
Controlled load or off-peak setup
Timer or tariff setup
Product dimensions
Indoor or outdoor location
Heat pump airflow if relevant
Heat pump noise placement if relevant
Heat pump condensate drainage if relevant
Delivery access
Required valves and fittings
Warranty information
Rebate or incentive eligibility where relevant
Licensed trade requirements

Compare Hot Water Systems Without Gas Online

Hot Water Outlet makes it easier to compare hot water systems for homes without gas by system type, tank capacity, electrical requirements, product dimensions, specifications and supply-only pricing.

Start with:

Then compare brands:

FAQs About Hot Water Systems Without Gas

What is the best hot water system if I do not have gas?

For most homes without gas, the best options to compare are electric storage, heat pump hot water and instant electric hot water. The right choice depends on household size, tank capacity, electrical setup, available space and budget.

Is heat pump hot water best without gas?

Heat pump hot water may be a strong option for homes without gas if outdoor airflow, drainage, noise placement and electrical requirements are suitable. It is not automatically the best option for every property.

Is electric storage good for homes without gas?

Electric storage can be a practical option for homes without gas, especially where a simple tank-style replacement is preferred and the selected tank capacity suits the household.

Can I use instant electric hot water without gas?

Yes, but instant electric hot water needs careful electrical and flow checks. It may suit selected applications, but whole-home use should be confirmed by licensed tradespeople.

Should I add LPG instead of choosing electric hot water?

LPG may suit some properties, but it requires gas supply, bottle setup, regulators, gas fitting and the correct LPG-compatible model. Homes without gas should usually compare electric and heat pump options first.

What size electric hot water system do I need without gas?

The right size depends on the number of people in the home, number of bathrooms, shower habits, bath use, kitchen and laundry use, and whether the current system keeps up.

Is heat pump better than electric storage?

Heat pump hot water may be more suitable where outdoor conditions, electrical setup and tank capacity line up. Electric storage may be more practical where a simple replacement is preferred or heat pump location is unsuitable.

Do homes without gas need three-phase power for hot water?

Not always. Electrical requirements depend on the product and system type. Instant electric and some high-demand systems may need more careful electrical checks. A licensed electrician should confirm suitability.

Do electric hot water systems need valves and fittings?

Some electric hot water replacements require valves, fittings or accessories depending on system type, pressure rating and connection layout. Browse valves, pipework and fittings and confirm compatibility before ordering.

Can I install an electric hot water system myself?

No. Electric hot water systems involve plumbing 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.

Find the Best Hot Water System Without Gas

The best hot water system for a home without gas depends on your household demand, tank capacity, electrical setup, available space, outdoor airflow, drainage, noise placement and budget. Electric storage may suit simple tank replacements. Heat pump hot water may suit efficient electric hot water where the property suits. Instant electric may suit selected applications where electrical capacity and flow demand are suitable.

Browse electric hot water systems, heat pump hot water systems and instant electric hot water systems online with Hot Water Outlet to compare options for homes without gas.

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