Hot Water in MidlandSparky Direct, Plumbing & Heat Pump Coordinated
Hot water systems are a multi-trade job. Most people don't realise it until they're getting three separate quotes from three different tradies. We coordinate it as one conversation.
How hot water splits across trades
Electric storage hot water
That's electrical (me, EC 9715) for the circuit, isolator, board capacity, element and thermostat work. Plumbing partner handles the water-side plumbing.
Heat pump hot water
Same electrical work as above, plus the unit might involve refrigerant work (ARCtick partner) AND plumbing (plumbing partner). Three trades on one install. We coordinate so you get one quote covering the lot.
Gas hot water
Gas-licensed partner handles the gas connection and appliance install, I handle any electrical work the unit needs (electric ignition, pump, controls).
What I handle directly (EC 9715)
Dedicated circuit and isolator for new HWS installs
Switchboard upgrade if you're adding a heat-pump or large electric storage
Element and thermostat replacement where accessible without plumbing
Fault finding on existing HWS electrical (no power, tripping, etc.)
Tariff change-over (off-peak / continuous tariff wiring)
What partners handle
Plumbing partner
- Water connections
- Pressure relief valves
- Hot/cold lines
- Drainage
- Full unit replacement plumbing
ARCtick partner (heat pump only)
- Refrigerant charge
- Vacuum
- Commissioning of heat pump compressor
Common jobs east of the river
Helena Valley acreage
Heat pump replacement for failed gas storage. EC + plumber + ARCtick coordinated. One quote, three trades, three weeks lead time.
Midvale rental
Electric storage element failure. Replaced element + thermostat + tested in 90 minutes.
Caversham
Switchboard upgrade for a new heat pump install (old board couldn't take the load). Quoted ahead of the plumber.
Mundaring hills
Solar-boosted hot water system needed both circuit work and plumbing for the booster element retrofit.
What to SMS
Photo of the existing unit (front panel + side label), photo of your switchboard, and what triggered the job — failed unit, planned upgrade, energy efficiency. Quote scoped accordingly.
FAQs
My HWS has died — how fast can you replace it?
If it's a same-type swap (electric for electric, gas for gas) and there's stock available, usually within 2-3 days end-to-end with the partners coordinated. Heat pump replacements often have 1-2 week lead times for the unit itself.
Heat pump vs gas vs electric — what's cheapest to run?
Heat pump by a long way for ongoing running costs (often 60-70% less than electric storage). Higher upfront cost. Pays back in 3-4 years for most households. Worth doing the maths on your annual usage before deciding.
Can you just replace the element without a full unit swap?
Sometimes, yes. If the element's failed but the tank's sound (under 10 years old, no rust on the access plate), element + thermostat replacement is way cheaper than a new unit. Worth diagnosing first.