Quick Guide for Home Owners

Water heaters installed as part of the construction works of new homes, alterations or additions are subject to development approvals under the Development Regulations 1993. Regardless of when the water heater is installed, it should be installed in accordance with the development approvals provided.

Different requirements apply for the following different classes of homes:

• Class 1a building (a house, townhouse, row house, maisonette or single storey unit);
• Class 1b building (a small hostel); or
• Part of a Class 2 building (an apartment in a multi-storey apartment building).

The information below details what is required, depending on when the development approvals were provided:

Approvals Provided Prior to 1 July 2006

No restrictions exist on the water heater that can be installed.

Approvals Provided 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2008

Standards apply for new class 1a buildings, alterations and additions where reticulated gas is available in a street, easement or the like that is adjacent the property.

Water heaters need to be gas, solar or electric heat pump. Conventional electric water heaters are not permitted. See Column A in the table below.

The above standard does not apply for homes where reticulated gas is not available, or for class 1b or class 2 buildings.

Approvals Provided 1 July 2008 to 30 April 2009

Standards apply for new class 1a and 1b buildings, alterations and additions, state-wide.

Water heaters need to be gas, solar or electric heat pump. Conventional electric water heaters are not permitted. See Column A in the table below.

The above standard does not apply for class 2 buildings.

Approvals Provided On or After 1 May 2009

Standards apply for new class 1a, 1b and 2 buildings, alterations and additions, state-wide. Shared water heaters in class 2 buildings are exempt.

In class 1a and 1b buildings, water heaters need to be high efficiency gas, solar or electric heat pump. Low efficiency gas and conventional electric water heaters are not permitted. See Column B in the table below.

For water heaters serving a single apartment in a class 2 building, low efficiency gas and conventional electric water heaters are permitted. See Column C in the table below.