Owner-Occupiers and Landlords

From 1 July 2008, the majority of domestic water heater installations into South Australian households need be high efficiency gas, solar and electric heat pump systems. In some cases, conventional electric and low efficiency gas water heaters will still be permitted.

Please note the grace period for homes replacing conventional electric water heaters has expired. The Step-by-Step Guide will help you determine which type of water heaters can be installed in your home.

Operational water heaters do not need to be replaced until they reach the end of their working life.

When a water heater is installed, all showers connected to the water heater will need to have a maximum flow rate of 9 litres per minute. This will require, in most instances, the use of a water efficient (3-star water rating) shower head or flow restrictor.
For many households this will mean that, the next time a water heater is replaced, a new low emissions type will need to be installed and showerheads replaced with water efficient types.

The following information is available to help you better understand the new requirements:

• Guides for:
  • Building a new home, alteration or addition;
  • Installing an additional water heaters;
  • Replacing a natural gas or LPG water heater;
  • Replacing a conventional electric water heater;
  • Replacing a solar or electric heat pump water heater;
  • Installing a secondary water heater system;
  • Installing or replacing water heaters in multi-storey flats and apartment buildings
• A Step by Step Guide to allow you to quickly determine which types of water heaters can be installed into your home; and
• Frequently Asked Questions