Quick Guide for Home Owners

Determining the options for a conventional electric water heater replacement involves considering a range of factors.

Low efficiency gas and electric can be used for replacements into houses in Remote Areas (see table below) and apartments in multi-storey apartment buildings.

For houses in Metro / near Adelaide or Regional Areas (see table below), factors such as when the property was last purchased and, if applicable, technical constraints for low emission water heater options need to be considered.

Conventional Electric Water Heater Replacement for Houses in Metro / Near Adelaide Areas

For Properties Purchased On or After 1 July 2008
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 A in the table below.

For Properties Last Purchased Prior to 1 July 2008, Where a ‘Standard Replacement’ is Possible
See the definition of a ‘Standard Replacement’ below.

For installations made before 1 July 2009, low efficiency gas and conventional electric water heaters are permitted. See Column B in the table below.

Installations made on or after 1 July 2009 need to be high efficiency gas, solar or electric heat pump. Low efficiency gas and conventional electric water heaters are not permitted. See Column A in the table below.

For Properties Last Purchased Prior to 1 July 2008, Where a ‘Standard Replacement’ is Not Possible

Low efficiency gas and conventional electric water heaters are permitted. See Column B in the table below.

Conventional Electric Water Heater Replacement for Houses in Regional Areas

For Properties Last Purchased Prior to 1 July 2008
Low efficiency gas and conventional electric water heaters are permitted. See Column B in the table below.

For Properties Purchased On or After 1 July 2008
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 A in the table below.

Conventional Electric Water Heater Replacement for Houses in Remote Areas

Low efficiency gas and conventional electric water heaters are permitted. See Column B in the table below.

Conventional Electric Water Heater Replacement for an Apartment

Low efficiency gas and conventional electric water heaters are permitted. See Column B in the table below.

Standard Replacement

A Standard Replacement is possible when:

• The water heater being replaced is located outside of the dwelling or in a shed, garage, etc; and
• The new installation requires no more than 6 metres of additional hot water pipes and is not installed in front of the house façade; and
• The new installation can be installed at least 3 metres from the nearest neighbour’s door or openable window to a bedroom or living space.

Click here for more information about Standard Replacements.