Solar Hot Water System Repairs Across the Perth Hills

Fixing what's already on your roof, and replacing the tank when it goes

Solar hot water was fitted to a lot of Perth Hills homes over the years, and plenty of those systems are still up there doing their job. When one stops, it's not always the panels, it could just as easily be the tank, the valves, the pump on a split system, or the electric booster element that took over months ago without anyone noticing.

Andrew repairs existing solar hot water systems and replaces the storage tank when it reaches the end. He doesn't install brand new solar systems, so if that's what you're after he'll say so on the phone instead of sending you round the houses.

Watch for These

Signs Your Solar Hot Water Needs Attention

There are usually a few warning signs before a solar system gives up, and the most expensive one is the one you can't see.

01

The booster is doing all the work

The most common one, and the most expensive to ignore. If the solar side has stopped contributing, the electric booster keeps the water hot and your power bill climbs. People often find out from the bill, not the shower.

02

The tank is leaking

Storage tanks have a working life like any other. Water around the base, rust streaks or staining on a roof-mounted unit can mean it needs looking at.

03

Valves have failed

Tempering, pressure relief and non-return valves all wear, and a failed one can show up as water dripping from a relief pipe or temperature that won't sit where it should.

04

The circulating pump has stopped

On a split system with the tank at ground level, no circulation can mean no solar contribution at all.

Not Sure What You've Got?

Some setups have been patched over the years by different people, so working out what's on the roof comes first.

Repair, Replace the Tank, or Change Systems?

Andrew doesn’t install new solar hot water systems, and once the tank’s failed he doesn’t put a new one in under the existing collectors either, even where they’re still in decent shape. What’s usually on the table is a repair if the fault’s fixable, or moving over to a different type of system once the tank needs replacing, most often electric storage, heat pump or gas hot water, especially where solar PV is already on the roof.

The difference is worth understanding. Solar hot water heats water directly with the sun. Solar PV makes electricity, and a storage tank with a timer can use that electricity to heat water in the middle of the day instead of exporting it. If you’ve already got PV, it may change which replacement option makes the most sense.

What It Costs

A valve or element replacement sits at the small end. A storage tank replacement is a bigger job, and the price depends on the tank, whether the system is roof-mounted or split, and how much work is involved getting the old one down and the new one up.

Roof-mounted systems can cost more to replace than ground-level tanks, since everything has to come off a roof and go back onto it. You’ll have the number before anything starts.

Why Call AH Plumbing & Gas

Local Expertise

Perth Hills based, with plenty of ageing solar systems across the area.

Licensed & Insured

Plumbing Licence 8282, with compliance paperwork provided where required.

Upfront Pricing

Priced and explained before any work starts.

Compare the Other Hot Water Systems

Electric storage hot water systems: One option worth comparing when a solar system is beyond repair, particularly where solar PV is already installed.
Heat pump hot water systems: Efficient, but more moving parts and a higher upfront cost.
Gas hot water systems: Worth comparing where mains gas is connected.

What Perth Hills Customers Say

“Best. Shower. Ever. We had been without hot water since the storm, about a week, hideous. Andrew managed to secure the last hot water system model in the state for us, otherwise we would have had to wait much longer, so grateful. Andrew and his team were extremely professional, fast and the whole process was painless. Highly recommend Andrew, AH Plumbing & Gas Service.”

Alicia Watson · Perth Hills

I had my hot water system replaced by Andrew and honestly, it couldn’t have been easier. They were super quick to respond, showed up right on time, and got everything sorted without any hassle. The whole process was way smoother than I expected. No stress, no mess, just done!
Everything’s working perfectly now, and I’m really happy with how efficient and easy the whole thing was. Definitely recommend if you want a job done properly without the drama.

Bree Griffiths · Perth Hills

"Andrew from AH Plumbing supplied and installed our hot water system. He was prompt, professional and had a great attention to detail. Will definitely get Andrew back for all our plumbing issues. Highly recommended!"

Hillary Grulke · Perth Hills

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you install new solar hot water systems?

No, that’s the one exception across the whole hot water range. Andrew repairs existing solar systems and replaces the storage tank when it goes, but a brand new solar hot water installation isn’t something he takes on. If that’s what you’re after he’ll tell you on the phone instead of booking a visit to say it, and he can talk through what else might suit.

My solar hot water still works, but the power bill has gone up. Why?

Usually the electric booster carrying the whole load because the solar side has stopped contributing. That’s the awkward part of a solar fault: the water stays hot, so nothing in the house tells you anything is wrong, and the first sign is a power bill that’s climbed without your habits changing. Worth having checked before the next bill confirms it.

Can you replace just the tank and keep the panels?

Often, yes. Where the collectors are still in good condition, a tank replacement can keep the solar side working for a good deal less than a whole new system. The collectors and valves get looked at first, since there’s no sense putting a new tank under panels that are also on the way out.

How long does a solar hot water system last?

It depends on the system, the water quality and how well it’s been maintained, there’s no reliable pattern of the tank going before the collectors or the other way round. As a rough guide, a tank on a Hills system typically lasts 10 to 12 years depending on servicing and water quality. Andrew can give you a better sense of where yours sits once he’s had a look.

Is it worth replacing solar with something else?

Often, yes. If the existing system’s at the end of its life, Andrew can look at what’s already on the property and talk through the other hot water options, since putting another solar system back up isn’t usually on the table. What suits best depends on the property, the household and what’s already installed, so it’s worth comparing before committing either way.

Do you work on all brands?

Yes, any brand. Solahart, Rheem or anything else already on the roof, Andrew will work on it.

Local Perth Hills Solar Hot Water

Solar Hot Water Across the Perth Hills

Solar hot water went onto a lot of Hills roofs in the same era, which means a fair number of those systems are reaching the end of their tank life at roughly the same time. That's factored into the quote once Andrew's had a look.