Which SA rules apply to your job
| What South Australia's code says | Paperwork to expect | |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing a part | SA's water heater standard doesn't cover repairs to components that stop short of replacing the whole heater. | Ask the plumber whether the repair needs a certificate |
| Like-for-like swap under warranty | Exempt from the standard when the swap comes from a manufacturer, supplier or installer warranty. | Replacing a water heater is eCOC work, so expect one |
| A new heater, any other reason | It must comply with the standard made under section 66 of the Water Industry Act 2012. An unvented storage heater also gets new relief and expansion control valves. | An eCOC within 7 days, and a gas eCOC within 30 days if gas fitting was involved |
Adelaide facts that shape a hot water job
Murray water, and bores
SA Health says the River Murray provides 40% of Adelaide's supply, up to 90% in drought years, and puts metropolitan tap water at 150 to 400 mg/L of dissolved salts. Bore water can exceed 1000 mg/L, so tell the plumber if that's what feeds your heater.
Three in ten homes are rented
The 2021 Census counted 28.4% of Greater Adelaide's occupied homes as rented. If that's you, involve your landlord or agent before anyone quotes on a new system.
Mild nights in town, cooler north and up the hill
July's mean minimum is 7.6°C at West Terrace but 6.3°C at Parafield Airport and 5.0°C at Mount Lofty. A heat pump takes its heat from the outside air, so where you live is worth mentioning when you compare models.
The standard nobody shows you
South Australia's code says a water heater in a new or established house must meet a standard made under section 66 of the Water Industry Act 2012. We couldn't read that standard: the state pages that publish it wouldn't load for us, so we can't say which systems it allows. Ask the plumber to confirm in writing that the quoted model meets it for an established home.
Tempering valves and relief valves
SA doesn't require a tempering valve on every replacement. One is needed when a temperature control device was already fitted before the old heater came out, and on all new solar installations, solar replacements included. Bathroom fixtures are capped at 50°C. See tempering valves for how they work.
Relief valves are a separate SA rule. Any new or replacement unvented storage heater must get new temperature/pressure relief and expansion control valves, with each drain line discharging separately to a visible outlet such as a gully or tundish.
Help with the cost: REPS and STCs
REPS, South Australia's energy productivity scheme, is open to everyone in the state, whichever energy retailer they use. Upgrading household water heating to more efficient models or tariffs is one of its activities. We don't quote REPS amounts, so ask the installer what applies.
STCs are federal certificates, not a rebate. Eligible heat pumps must be under 425 L and solar water heaters under 700 L, and the model must be on the register. Owners often assign their STCs to an agent in exchange for a discount. More in STCs explained.
Pick the page for your situation
Still running but playing up? See hot water repairs. Leaking or past saving? See hot water replacement. Going electric? See heat pump hot water. Our national hot water guide compares every system type.
Questions to ask an Adelaide hot water plumber
- Is this a repair, or does it count as a full replacement under SA's rules?
- Does the model you're quoting meet the SA water heater standard for an established home?
- Did my old system have a tempering valve, and will the new one need it?
- Which discounts, REPS or STCs, are already in this price?
What we would do
Get a straight answer on repair versus replacement first, because SA's rules only bite when a whole heater goes in. If it is a replacement, ask for one written quote that names the model, confirms it meets the SA standard, lists the valves being fitted and shows each discount. Then hold on to the eCOC: it's your record that the work was tested and done by a licensed plumber.