Electric Hot Water Replacement Completed in Hawthorn
Completed Job Summary
Hot water issues were attended to at a residential property in Hawthorn after the customer reported lukewarm water and intermittent supply loss. The existing tank was assessed on site, replacement was selected, and a new electric hot water unit with leak protection was installed, tested, and commissioned.
9 April 2026
Byron Slabbert
Founder and Managing Director
81478
This job record is derived from first-party technician notes and the Simpro job management.
Customer report
The customer reported ongoing hot water issues at the Hawthorn property, with lukewarm water noted as the main concern. During attendance, the technician also recorded that hot water sometimes ran out. The earlier quote referenced client-provided images and included a pressure check and hot water issues within the scope of the visit.
Diagnosis & Technical Assessment
The service call centred on a hot water supply issue that had already been affecting day-to-day use at the property. On-site, the technician noted that the customer complained about lukewarm water and that the supply would sometimes run out. During assessment of the existing system, the tank was found to have no hot water present and was described as completely cold. Those site observations established that the existing electric storage unit was not providing the expected hot water performance at the time of attendance.
The existing tank was also noted as being 10 years old, which formed part of the practical assessment of the system condition and the options presented. The technician recorded that the customer was given the option of either servicing the unit or replacing it, with the decision described as 50/50. An additional site consideration was noted during the job: a possible tempering valve in the walls, although it was not evident at the time of installation. The resulting technical assessment remained focused on the observed lack of hot water from the existing tank and the unit’s age in service.
All work was completed in accordance with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) regulatory framework.
Solutions delivered
Following the assessment, the selected solution was to replace the existing hot water unit rather than a service. Invoice records show the hot water replacement included isolating the water and electrical supply, disconnecting existing pipework, and installing a new Thermann electric hot water unit. New pipework and a tempering valve were included where applicable, followed by testing and commissioning of the system.
The completed scope also included installation of a leak protection valve on the cold water feed entering the tank, with the sensor positioned in the drip tray. The invoice notes explain the purpose of this addition: if the tank splits and water activates the sensor, the valve automatically shuts off to reduce flood risk. The same record also states that a safety switch is mandatory for hot water units in houses without drainage outlets. This combination of replacement and protective components addressed the immediate hot water failure while also adding a specific safeguard to the installed system.
Tools, Parts & Systems Used
- Thermann Electric HWU 10YR SE 160L 3.6KW
- Leak protection valve
- Sensor
- Tempering valve
Outcome & Results
The replacement was completed, and the job record shows the new system was tested and commissioned as part of the installation scope. Completion records also confirm clean-up and a triple check of the works at close-out. In addition to restoring the system through replacement, the installed leak protection valve added an automatic shut-off measure on the cold water feed if water is detected in the drip tray.
All work was carried out in accordance with relevant Australian Standards and safety requirements.
Repair vs Replacement
For electric storage hot water systems, repair and replacement decisions are often shaped by the unit’s condition at the time of service, the nature of the supply failure, and the age of the tank already in service. In this Hawthorn job, the customer was given both options after the existing tank was found cold, with no hot water present, and the unit was also noted to be 10 years old. In that context, replacement provided a direct path to restoring the system while allowing the new installation to include leak protection on the cold water feed.