The short answer: most Perth households pay between $1,000 and $4,500 fully installed for a new hot water system in 2026, depending on the type, size and brand. A straightforward like-for-like swap of a standard electric or gas storage unit usually lands between $1,000 and $2,500, including removal of your old system.
Hot water system prices by type (installed, Perth 2026)
| System type | Typical installed price | Running cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric storage | $1,000 – $1,800 | Highest (unless off-peak tariff) | Budget installs, homes without gas |
| Gas storage | $1,400 – $2,200 | Low–moderate | Homes on mains gas |
| Gas continuous flow | $1,500 – $2,500 | Low | Families, 2+ bathrooms |
| Heat pump | $3,500 – $5,000 before rebates | Lowest (up to 70% less than electric) | Long-term savings, solar homes |
| Solar hot water | $4,000 – $6,800 before rebates | Very low | Good roof orientation, sunny exposure |
Prices are a guide for standard installations across Perth's northern suburbs as of September 2026, including supply, installation, old unit removal and standard valves/fittings. Complex installs (relocation, fuel-type switch, difficult access) cost more. Your written quote confirms the exact price before work starts.
Prices by brand
Brand choice moves the price less than system type, but it matters. Here's what the most common brands in Perth homes typically cost, installed:
| Brand | Common range (installed) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rinnai | from ~$1,500 | Continuous flow leader — the B26 is Perth's most popular family unit |
| Rheem | from ~$1,400 | Huge range across electric, gas and solar; parts everywhere |
| Dux | from ~$1,400 | Solid mid-range electric and gas storage |
| Bosch | from ~$1,500 | Compact continuous flow units |
| Vulcan | from ~$1,700 | Durable storage systems, long warranties |
| Heat pump brands (iStore, Reclaim, Emerald) | $3,500 – $5,000 | Rebate-eligible; see the rebates section below |
Not sure which brand suits your home? Read our straight-talk comparison: Rheem vs Rinnai — what's best for Perth homes.
What changes the price?
- System type & size — a 50L unit for a unit/apartment vs a 315L family system are very different jobs.
- Like-for-like vs switching type — swapping electric for electric is simplest. Switching from electric to gas continuous flow (or to a heat pump) adds plumbing, gas or electrical work.
- Access & location — ground-level outdoor installs are standard; tight cupboards, indoor locations or roof work add labour.
- Compliance items — WA requires tempering valves on new installations; some older homes need valve or pipe upgrades to meet current standards.
- Old unit disposal — always confirm this is included. Ours always is.
WA rebates that cut the upfront cost
Heat pump and solar hot water systems attract federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which typically knock several hundred dollars off the installed price — the exact value depends on the system and your postcode zone. Perth's climate makes these systems perform well, so the rebate plus the running-cost savings means a heat pump often pays back the price gap over a standard electric system within a few years.
We confirm exactly what your installation qualifies for and factor it into your written quote — no homework required on your end. More detail: heat pump hot water in Perth.
Repair vs replace — when is a repair worth it?
As a rule of thumb: if your system is under 8 years old and the fault is a single component (element, thermostat, tempering valve, pilot assembly), a repair usually costing a few hundred dollars makes sense. If it's over 10 years old, leaking from the tank itself, or producing rusty water, putting money into repairs is usually throwing good money after bad — replacement is the better spend. Our replacement guide walks through the decision.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a hot water system in Perth?
A like-for-like replacement typically costs $1,000–$2,500 fully installed for standard electric or gas storage systems, including old unit removal. Heat pumps run $3,500–$5,000 before rebates; solar $4,000–$6,800.
What's the cheapest hot water system to install?
Electric storage, from around $1,000 installed — but it's the most expensive to run. Gas continuous flow or a heat pump usually costs less over the system's life.
Do WA rebates apply to my new system?
If you choose a heat pump or solar system, almost certainly yes — STCs apply at installation and reduce the upfront price. We confirm the exact amount in your quote.
Is old unit removal included in the price?
With us, always. Some quotes elsewhere exclude removal, disposal, or the valves needed for compliance — always ask before you compare prices.