If you’re considering installing an instantaneous electric hot water heater, you may be wondering whether you can do it yourself or if you’ll need to call in a professional. The answer depends on your experience and confidence in plumbing and electrical work.
Doing it yourself is certainly possible, although it’s important to remember that there are some inherent risks when dealing with electricity and water so if you’re not familiar with the basics, it’s best to leave the job to a qualified professional. They will have the necessary safety gear, tools and experience to complete the job safely with minimal disruption.
It’s also worth noting that in Australia all electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician. This includes installation of an electrical hot water system – even if you think you can do it yourself, it must be signed off by a registered electrician for your own safety.
So what does installing an instantaneous hot water heater involve? First of all, you’ll need to turn off the electricity supply at the fuse box and switch off any gas supplies – this should always be done before any plumbing or electrical work starts. Then you can disconnect the old system and remove any associated piping (if applicable). Once this is done, your electrician can then install the new system – they will need access to both the mains switchboard and any existing pipes or fittings that may need modifying for your new system.
When everything is connected, your electrician will then turn on the power supply and check that all relevant systems are working correctly before they sign off on their workmanship. At this point they can also provide advice on how best to maintain your new system as well as providing information on any warranties or guarantees that may be included with your purchase.
So in conclusion – while it is possible for a confident DIYer with some basic plumbing knowledge to install an instantaneous electric hot water heater themselves, unless you have experience working with electricity and water we would always recommend calling in a professional plumber/electrician who has the necessary skills and tools required to complete the job safely and correctly.