Electrical Can you fix your own hot water system? What’s legal and safe
No: wiring, element and thermostat work needs a licensed electrician in Queensland, and plumbing connections need a licensed plumber.
No. Work on a hot water system’s element, thermostat or wiring is electrical work, which in Queensland must be done by a licensed electrician, and plumbing connections must be done by a licensed plumber. Opening the covers on a live system is dangerous. You can read the manual, note the model and symptoms, and contact a licensed professional.
Why is hot water repair licensed work?
A hot water system combines mains electricity, water, heat and pressure. The element and thermostat connect to the home’s wiring, and the water connections carry hot water that can scald and leak into electrical parts.
That is why electrical work on a hot water system must be done by a licensed electrician in Queensland, and plumbing work by a licensed plumber. The Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the electrical regulator. Its campaign messages are blunt on the subject: do not do your own electrical work.
Who can fix what?
- Licensed electrician: the power supply, wiring, element, thermostat and controls.
- Licensed plumber: pipe connections, valves, leaks and the water side of the system.
- The manufacturer or retailer: questions about the model, the warranty and recalls.
If you are unsure which applies, describe the symptoms to a licensed tradesperson. They can tell you who is needed.
What about online guides and videos?
Plumbing websites and videos sometimes describe steps for the thermostat or the element. Those steps involve live electrical parts and, in Queensland, the work must be done by a licensed electrician. Even if a guide says it is simple, the risks are the same, and the work can be done wrongly in ways that are hard to see.
What can a homeowner safely do?
Plenty, as long as none of it involves touching, opening or adjusting the system.
What happens when a licensed electrician visits?
A licensed electrician will check the supply to the system and the condition of the parts, find the fault and carry out any repair safely. In Queensland, licensed work is covered by regulations that include paperwork for the work done, so it is worth asking what you will receive. Keep it, because you may need it later for insurance or a sale.
Will DIY affect my warranty or insurance?
It might. Manufacturers’ warranties often set conditions on who can work on the product, and the Residential Tenancies Authority says DIY electrical repairs can void insurance. Check the warranty document and your policy wording rather than assuming.
What to do when your hot water system stops working
Stay back and note what you see
Do not touch the system. Note any leaks, smells, noises or display messages from a safe distance.
Photograph the label
Photograph the make and model label and any display or code.
Contact the right professional
Call a licensed electrician for electrical symptoms, and a licensed plumber for leaks. In a rental, tell the landlord or agent first.
Keep the paperwork
Keep any certificates, receipts or warranty documents from the repair.
Frequently asked questions
Electrical work on the system must be done by a licensed electrician and plumbing work by a licensed plumber. Check the Electrical Safety Office Queensland for the rules.
No. That is electrical work that must be done by a licensed electrician in Queensland, and the parts connect to live wiring.
A licensed plumber for the leak and a licensed electrician if there are electrical symptoms. Stay away from the system and do not touch wet surfaces near it.
It can. Check the warranty document, or ask the manufacturer or retailer, before anyone works on the system.
Read the manual, photograph the label, display and any error code, and write down when the problem started and what you noticed.
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