Yay, We need a new HWS. Old one is a Dux. Plumber recommended an AquaMAX, Rheem seems to be ‘the brand’.
Has anyone had experience with any of these brands for an off peak electric storage unit? AquaMAX is $60 cheaper with the same warranty so price is not a big part of the dux vs AquaMAX equation. Haven’t officially priced a Rheem, but they seem to be dearer.
Yes, I’m looking for reviews and recommendations on google, but all I see is marketing stuff thus far.
Just had to do mine a few weeks ago. Never heard of Aquamax. I went with Rheem as it had an extra 2 years warranty over Dux for a $100 difference. Last unit I had was Vulcan and I've had Dux and Rheem in the past. TBH I haven't found any difference in performance between any of them and none of them have failed in the warranty period so who knows.
If they're giving the same 12 year warranty for $60 less then I don't see much reason not to try it.
aquamax is a known brand in Melbourne, I have gas storage one, 25 years old, thermostat failed 4 years ago, plumber replaced it and still going strong. But next time I won't go with these dinosaur anymore. Heat pump or at least instataneous gas.
Yeah, I get that. That’s why I’m hoping to get some personal knowledge.
If after sales service & support is a criteria, I recommend Rheem. Based on experience.
NB: We have a Rheem solar/ mains pressure HWS.
I recommend Rheem. Based on experience.
Be aware, Rheem only has a 12 months LABOUR warranty. So based on my experience, of having 2 service calls to fix issues to fix faulty thermostats with my Rheem HWS, then having to a 3rd service call at 13 months of age and Rheem refusing to fix it under warranty as it was 1 month out, so charged me a call out fee plus parts etc. I wouldn't recommend them at all.
Yes I did fight it, yes I did get my money back in the end, but it was a LOT of jumping up and done, that no one should have to go through to get a 13 month old HWS repaired for the 3rd time because Rheem uses cheap thermostats/bad batch that 'fail' often.
In August of 2009, AquaMAX was purchased by the market leader, Rheem Australia Pty Ltd. Since then, AquaMAX has been able to expand distribution nationally while growing and improving efficiency in our manufacturing plant in Moorabbin, VIC.
Our Aqumax, recommended by our plumber, is now 15 years old and, touch wood, is producing hot water as good as the day it was installed.
I believe that the length of time a HWS lasts largely depends on the quality of the water that goes through it.
It's going to fail next week now. You should not have posted this.
No it won't, I touched wood :D
You’re on the wrong website for touching wood. 😳
Also last longer if installed inside, and you replace sacrificial anode every 5 years.
Outdoor temperature variations, rain and sea air wreck them much quicker.
If it was the Aquamax Stainless Steel, it doesn't use a sacrificial anode
go for a Dux.
look for the same model as what you had.
same - means it requires a basic swap over as everything -water in&out + power- is already set up.
it's what I did at my old house.
simple 20 minute swap over
AquaMAX is $60 cheaper with the same warranty
Read the warranty closer around the labour section. As its generally only 1 year.
My last HWS rusted through so bought a stainless steel one so wouldn't have to remember replacing the anode every few years.
How much of a premium was the stainless and how long is it guaranteed for? I didn't know there were stainless versions available.
Don't really know as bought it as part of a package with evacuated solar tubes on the roof more than 10 years ago. So let's check google. This random mob as an example: https://www.sydneyplumbinghotwater.com.au/rheem-hot-water-he…
Rheem 315 Litre Electric Hot Water Heater - Supply & Install $1,425.00. Includes 12 yrs warranty and single element only. Should be typical glass lined enamel.
vs
Rheem Stainless Steel 315 Litre Hot Water Heater - Supply & Install $1,560.00. Also 12 yrs warranty and single element. So cost $135 or 9% extra.
So same warranty. I would have thought it was a longer warranty but that's all the manufacturer is prepared to give.
Then you have this website: https://cheapahotwater.com.au/how-long-should-my-hot-water-h…
Estimated life expectancy of a hot water tank
- Glass or enamel lined tanks : 5-10 years (approx)
- Stainless steel : 7-10 years (approx)
- Copper tanks : 7 years (approx)
- Heat pumps : 10 years (approx)
YMMV.
Thanks, not much price difference really. I'm guessing the likely point of failure will be the element rather than the tank/anode which has been the failure point for every system I've had to date. Might've gone with that if I'd known but it's done now and I was in a hurry as I've had a lot of issues to deal with this year.
@apsilon: Hmm, I hadn't thought about that. For me, always been rust caused by not changing the anode enough!
You also have water quality to consider: https://www.energymatters.com.au/solar-hot-water/stainless-g…
Stainless steel hot water tank strength
Stainless steel tanks are only as strong as the seam welds. However, they generally have a ten year warranty over standard five year warranty (minimum required by law) of glass lined tanks. They also cost on average $300-$400 more than a glass lined version.
Water quality
The poorer the water quality, the stronger case to move away from stainless steel tanks. This is because impurities in the water can eat away at the silver in the weld, causing pinhole leaking and eventual failure. While stainless steel tanks have longer warranties, no manufacturer will honour a warranty if the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) of the water exceeds 600 ppm (parts per million).
Rheem have the more memorable jingle, fwiw.
DUX at Bunnings is the way to go. Easy done and they will arrange installation also if you want that.
I replaced my Dux with another Dux about 5years ago, the old one had a label on it from the early 70's!
Our 28 years of Dux gas storage has now been replaced by a new Dux Prodigy 5 Star Gas Storage 135L NG.
Ordered from Bunnings, the job was awarded by DUX to an installer here in Adelaide.
The result is beyond bad and I will not accept it.
The tank is 15mm crooked in front of a brick wall. The result is of course visible at the joints.
The gas line that was previously flush with the tank is now 16cm next to it. Water pipes and overflow are mantled crookedly.
I'll have to pour a few glasses for my guests so that it doesn't attract too much attention. He stands in line of sight from the garden table to the BBQ
On the Dux Gas Storage itself, the pilot flame is not visible.
I recommend setting the knob to 6 so you can turn it up to 7 to hear the burner come on.
Now I have complained to Bunnings, they will forward the pictures to DUX with my complaint and then I will see what happens.
All in all - no recommendation from me.
After + 2 weeks I was called by the plumber (probably due to the bad rating of his company)
Yesterday an employee came by, set the tank level and changed gas and overflow pipes.
The pipe for the hot water would have been too much effort and is rather annoying.
Unfortunately, it is probably better to get an installer you trust than to trust a possibly cheaper offer from Dux.
Been a while, but we ended up going with the aqua max. Has been making the water hot just fine, but the install was a bit lacking.
After a few weeks there was no hot water. Installers came back and said it’s fine and I need t call a sparkie. Did that and he found the circuit breaker was on the limit so upgraded it so there would be less chance of tripping. Again, few l weeks later it tripped. Sparkie again. found the installers had not put the conduit in properly and the wire insulation had been cut on a bracket and shorted out because the wire was pulled a bit tight. Installed a junction box and lengthened the wiring and it been good since.
Have a listen to this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV-I0S28ogc
It is a recording of someone ringing a Rheem after hours service number. It's not particularly relevant to this discussion but is very, very funny. I listen to it at least once a year.
The only reason a plumber would recommend any brand is that brand makes them the most money.