Energex & retailers
Hot water system types
Storage
Storage hot water systems are large tanks of hot water.
As hot water is used from the top, it is replaced by cold water at the bottom.
Since heat rises, there is little mixing of the hot and cold water. When supply is low, water from the storage systems usually changes quickly from hot to cold.
The system is easy to distinguish as it is the only type with a water pipe connected at the bottom of the unit.
Heat Pump
Electric heat pumps can be connected to controlled tariff 9000 or 9100 as specified in Queensland.
You should speak with the manufacturer or installer for further information about which tariff would be most suitable for your particular model.
Heat Exchange
Water is heated as it is used by passing through copper coils immersed in a bath of hot water.
The bath of water is heated by the unit’s heating element. Because this bath of water is at room pressure and vented to the atmosphere, the level may drop due to evaporation and steam being vented out of the overflow pipe.
When the level drops, you may experience a gradual change to cold water after a short period of hot water.
Solar
The solar system is also a storage unit. The tank is generally located above the collector, as heat rises and causes the water to circulate.
Most are fitted with a booster element controlled by a thermostat exactly the same as an electric storage unit.
Some are also fitted with external switches, which can control power to an element.
These boosters can be attached to a controlled tariff at your request through an electricity retailer.
There are a number of reasons you may experience cold water at your property. The common causes of cold water are:
- Excessive usage of hot water
- Leakage from the hot water system and/or pressure release valve
- Leaky taps
- Blown hot water fuse or tripped circuit breaker
- Faulty thermostat or element
- Water level too low (heat exchange)
- Sun obscured by clouds (solar)
- Faulty relay
Energex maintenance timeframes
- Tree trimming: Within 25 business days for non-urgent work
- Street lights maintenance: five business days
- Animals in mains: five business days
- Damaged Energex equipment: five business days
- Suspect pole (ants etc.): five business days
- Graffiti: five business days
- Grass around transformers: five business days
- TV interference: 20 business days
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