Straight answers, no fuss

The number of people in your home gives us a good starting point: 1–2 people usually suits 135–180 L, 3–4 people 180–250 L, and 5+ people 250–300 L. But it's not just headcount — morning-shower households, young kids with nightly baths, or someone training hard and showering twice a day all change the answer. We ask a few simple questions at the free on-site visit and dial in the right capacity, so you've got plenty of hot water without paying to heat water you never use.

A well-maintained cylinder in New Zealand should last 10–15 years. Watch for rumbling or popping noises when heating, visible corrosion or pooling water around the unit, and frequent pressure-relief valve releases. If your system is 10 years or older — or hot water is running out faster than it used to — book a health check before it fails on a cold morning.

If your home is on the public wastewater network but your water comes from a rain tank or bore, you're currently paying a fixed wastewater rate regardless of what you use. A Watercare-approved tank meter (we install the required Elster Kent meter) switches you to volumetric charging: you're billed on actual use, you stop being penalised for household size, and you can spot leaks early. We supply and install the meter, make sure it's positioned to Watercare's terms, and help with the application form.

For a lot of Coast homes the modern answer is a heat-pump hot water system: whisper-quiet, far more efficient than a traditional cylinder, and immune to gas price movements. We handle the whole changeover — safely decommissioning the old gas unit and califont, prepping the site, installing the new system and commissioning it. Most of NZ's main banks now offer low-interest green-loan top-ups for exactly this kind of upgrade.

Our winter checklist for Coast homeowners: check your hot water cylinder's age and listen for rumbling; make sure outdoor taps and exposed pipes are in good nick; clear gutters and downpipes before the big rains; test your gas heating before the first cold snap, not during it; and if you're on a pump, make sure it's running smoothly. Fifteen minutes of checks in autumn beats an emergency call in July.

Turn the supply off at the bottle or the meter, open windows and doors, don't flick switches or light anything, and call us straight away on 022 471 9055. Gas faults are certifying-level work — never attempt to repair gas components yourself.