Electric to Gas Hot Water
Electric to Gas Hot Water: Should You Switch?
Instant gas can remove the tank and gas storage can offer strong recovery — but changing fuel type only makes sense when gas solves a real problem.
Electric storage can be replaced with either instant gas or gas storage where a suitable natural-gas or LPG supply is available. The conversion can involve new gas pipework, appliance relocation, different sizing and the loss of an existing electric hot-water circuit. Before moving to gas, compare a heat pump as well: an electric-storage home often already has the tank position, plumbing and electrical infrastructure needed for a much more efficient electric upgrade.
Does Gas Actually Suit You Better?
Start with why you want to leave electric storage and whether a suitable gas supply already exists.
1 Why are you considering gas?
2 What gas supply is available?
3 What matters most?
Guide only. Gas availability, pipe sizing, natural-gas or LPG compatibility, appliance location, water demand, existing electrical services and installation requirements need to be checked before finalising the conversion.
Can You Replace Electric Hot Water With Gas?
Yes. Conventional electric storage can be replaced with either instant gas or gas storage where the property has a suitable natural-gas or LPG supply. Instant gas removes the storage cylinder and heats water on demand. Gas storage keeps stored hot water but replaces the electric element with gas-fired recovery. The conversion should be priced as a complete change of energy source rather than a simple tank replacement.
Gas Supply
The property needs a suitable natural-gas or LPG supply with enough capacity for the selected hot-water appliance.
System Type
Instant gas removes stored capacity entirely, while gas storage retains a cylinder and combines tank volume with burner recovery.
Plumbing & Position
The best gas-appliance position may differ from the existing electric tank location, particularly for continuous-flow gas.
Existing Electric Infrastructure
Your existing tank position, electrical circuit and plumbing can also make a heat-pump upgrade relatively straightforward, so compare that option before abandoning electricity altogether.
Electric to Instant Gas or Electric to Gas Storage?
These are very different conversions. Instant gas is usually chosen to remove the tank and provide continuous-flow hot water. Gas storage keeps the familiar stored-water format but introduces gas-fired recovery.
Remove the Tank Completely
The electric cylinder is removed and replaced by a compact wall-mounted continuous-flow appliance.
This can free useful ground space and avoid running out of a fixed stored volume, provided the gas system is correctly sized for simultaneous hot-water demand.
Gas pipe sizing and available gas capacity become critical because larger continuous-flow units can place substantial demand on the gas supply.
Keep a Storage Cylinder
The household keeps stored hot water but changes the recovery source from an electric element to a gas burner.
Gas storage can recover quickly, which means the replacement should be assessed using tank capacity and burner recovery rather than comparing litres alone.
Where the aim is simply stronger recovery from an electric tank, a correctly sized electric or heat-pump alternative should also be compared before changing fuel.
Why Change From Electric Hot Water to Gas?
Gas can make sense where it delivers a practical benefit that matters to the household. The strongest reasons are generally about hot-water delivery and available space rather than assuming gas will automatically be cheaper to operate.
Reclaim Tank Space
Instant gas can remove a large electric-storage cylinder and replace it with a compact wall-mounted appliance.
Continuous-Flow Hot Water
A correctly sized instant gas system continues heating water while it is being drawn rather than relying on a finite stored reserve.
Strong Gas Recovery
Gas storage can offer fast recovery where concentrated periods of household hot-water demand are more important than minimising energy use.
Electric, Heat Pump & Gas: Current JR Starting Prices
Product price alone does not show the full conversion cost. Gas pipework, LPG equipment, relocation and compliance work can alter the economics of changing fuel, so compare the complete installed pathways.
Simple and familiar where the existing tank position, plumbing and electrical circuit remain suitable.
Keeps the home electric while using substantially less electricity than conventional resistance storage.
Eligible systems may also qualify for JR's applicable upfront STC pathway.
Compact continuous-flow hot water without a storage tank, subject to suitable gas supply and installation conditions.
Stored hot water with gas-fired recovery for suitable natural-gas or LPG properties.
Electric vs Heat Pump vs Instant Gas vs Gas Storage
| Consideration | Electric Storage | Heat Pump | Instant Gas | Gas Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy source | Electricity | Electricity + heat from air | Natural gas or LPG | Natural gas or LPG |
| Delivery | Stored water | Stored water | Continuous flow | Stored water |
| Tank required | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Energy-use direction | High resistance-heating demand | Very efficient electrical heating pathway | Gas used whenever water is heated | Gas heating plus storage heat loss |
| Rooftop solar PV | Can use PV electricity | Can use PV with lower electrical demand | PV does not power the gas burner | PV does not power the gas burner |
| Existing electric-home infrastructure | Usually strong | Often strong | Gas infrastructure required | Gas infrastructure required |
| Strongest reason to choose | Simplicity and low entry price | Efficiency and solar compatibility | Tank-free continuous flow | Stored reserve and gas recovery |
The Biggest Question: Do You Already Have a Suitable Gas Supply?
This can completely change the economics of the conversion. A property with a properly sized existing gas service is very different from an all-electric home where gas would need to be introduced solely for hot water.
Natural Gas Already Connected
Existing gas is a useful starting point, but meter and pipe capacity still need to be checked against the demand of the selected hot-water appliance and other gas loads.
LPG Already Available
A suitable LPG appliance can be used where cylinder supply, regulator capacity and pipework support the required hot-water demand.
No Gas at the Property
Introducing gas purely for hot water adds another energy source and new infrastructure. Where the existing electric tank position is suitable, heat pump becomes particularly worth comparing before doing that.
Electric Storage to Instant Gas: What Changes?
This pathway makes the biggest change to how the home receives hot water because a stored electric cylinder becomes an on-demand wall-mounted gas appliance.
The Electric Tank Is Removed
The storage cylinder disappears, potentially freeing a substantial amount of usable ground-level space.
A New Gas Position Is Chosen
The optimum continuous-flow position may be different from the old tank location because gas clearances, pipe routing and hot-water pipe length all matter.
Gas Pipework Is Added or Upgraded
The appliance needs enough gas under full operating demand, including allowance for other gas appliances.
Flow Rate Replaces Tank Litres
Selection moves from stored capacity to litres-per-minute, simultaneous outlet use, incoming water conditions and household demand.
The Electric Circuit Is No Longer the Heating Source
Existing high-load electric hot-water infrastructure may become redundant or need alteration depending on the final installation.
Rooftop Solar No Longer Heats the Water
The home's PV continues powering electrical loads, but the energy used by the burner comes from gas rather than solar-generated electricity.
Electric Storage to Gas Storage: What Changes?
Both systems store hot water, so this conversion can look similar physically. The important differences are burner recovery, gas infrastructure and long-term energy use.
Existing Tank Space May Be Useful
A suitable outdoor electric-storage position may provide the physical room required for a gas-storage replacement.
Do Not Match Litres Alone
Gas burner recovery can be substantially different from electric-element recovery, so sizing should consider stored capacity and first-hour delivery together.
Gas Supply Becomes Essential
Natural gas or LPG needs enough capacity for the burner while any other gas appliances are also operating.
Storage Heat Loss Remains
Water is still held hot in a cylinder, so stored-water losses remain part of the system's energy use.
Strong Recovery Can Be Useful
Households with concentrated hot-water demand may value strong burner recovery where that characteristic is more important than minimum energy use.
Heat Pump Uses the Same Basic Storage Concept
If the household is happy keeping a tank, heat pump deserves comparison because it retains stored hot water while substantially reducing electrical energy demand.
Have Rooftop Solar? Gas May Move Hot Water Away From Your Cheapest Energy Source
An electric-storage home can already use household-generated solar electricity for water heating. A heat pump can take that further by needing much less electricity for the same heating task. Changing to gas removes hot water from that electrical solar pathway.
Standard Electric + Solar
Electric storage can be scheduled or controlled to use more power during daytime solar production.
Heat Pump + Solar
The system can also operate during solar hours but normally needs substantially less electrical energy to heat the water.
Gas + Solar
Rooftop PV still benefits other electrical loads, but it cannot provide the primary energy used by the hot-water gas burner.
For a home that already has a useful solar surplus and a practical outdoor tank position, we would generally want a clear reason — such as reclaiming the tank space or needing continuous flow — before moving hot water from electricity to gas.
Before Changing From Electric to Gas, Compare Heat Pump
Electric-storage homes are often strong heat-pump conversion candidates because much of the basic infrastructure already exists. If gas does not provide a specific practical advantage, changing from one electric technology to a more efficient electric technology can be the more straightforward long-term upgrade.
Tank Position Already Exists
An outdoor electric-storage location may already provide the physical space required for an integrated heat-pump system.
Water Services Already Exist
Hot, cold and drainage infrastructure around the old electric tank can often provide a useful starting point.
Electrical Infrastructure Already Exists
The existing electrical setup needs to be checked against the selected heat pump, but the property is already configured around electrically heated hot water.
No New Fuel Source
Staying electric avoids introducing natural-gas or LPG infrastructure purely for water heating.
Lower Energy Use
Heat pumps transfer environmental heat instead of producing all of the heat directly from purchased electricity or combustion fuel.
Eligible STC Pathway
Eligible heat-pump systems may qualify for renewable-energy incentives that conventional gas systems do not receive through the heat-pump STC pathway.
When Electric to Gas Can Genuinely Make Sense
Gas is not automatically the wrong direction. It can be the better practical solution where the property and customer's priorities clearly favour it.
You Need the Tank Space
Instant gas offers a genuine advantage where removing the large electric cylinder creates useful space.
Continuous Flow Is Important
A correctly sized continuous-flow system can suit households that specifically want on-demand heating rather than stored capacity.
Gas Is Already Well Established
The economics can be more attractive where suitable gas pipework and supply already exist and no major upgrade is required.
Strong Gas Recovery Suits the Household
Gas storage may suit a household with heavy concentrated usage that places greater value on rapid burner recovery.
Heat-Pump Location Is Unsuitable
If airflow, noise, access or clearance issues genuinely prevent a practical heat-pump installation, gas can become more relevant.
The Customer Specifically Wants Gas
Where the household understands the fuel, running-cost and infrastructure differences and values the gas-system characteristics, either gas pathway can be appropriate.
When Heat Pump Is Usually the Stronger Upgrade From Electric
If the household is already using electric hot water and does not specifically need one of gas's practical advantages, heat pump is normally worth comparing before changing energy source.
Lower Running Costs Are the Goal
Moving from resistance electric to heat pump directly targets the amount of electricity required to produce the household's hot water.
Rooftop Solar Is Installed
A heat pump can use daytime household solar generation without needing as much electricity as conventional electric storage.
Solar + Battery
Lower hot-water electrical demand can leave more solar generation and stored battery capacity available for other household loads.
Existing Tank Position Is Suitable
If the electric tank is already outside with adequate space, airflow, drainage and service access, a major part of the heat-pump installation problem may already be solved.
No Gas Currently Exists
Staying electric avoids creating an entirely new fuel pathway solely for water heating.
Long Ownership Period
Installation cost occurs once. The energy used to heat water continues throughout the life of the replacement system.
How an Electric-to-Gas Conversion Works
Confirm Why You Want Gas
Determine whether tank space, continuous flow, recovery or another practical reason is driving the conversion.
Compare Heat Pump First
Check whether the existing electric-storage position and services make an efficient electric upgrade simpler than changing fuel type.
Choose Instant or Storage Gas
Decide whether the household wants tank-free continuous flow or stored water with gas-fired recovery.
Check Gas Capacity
Confirm natural gas or LPG type, pipe size, regulator or meter capacity and other connected gas appliances.
Remove the Electric System
The old tank is isolated, drained and removed, with electrical and plumbing services altered for the selected replacement.
Install & Commission Gas
Licensed plumbing and gas work is completed, the appliance is tested and the new hot-water installation is commissioned.
Electric to Gas Hot Water FAQs
Can I replace electric hot water with gas?
Yes. Electric storage can be replaced with either instant gas or gas storage where a suitable natural-gas or LPG supply is available. Gas capacity, appliance location, plumbing and installation requirements all need to be checked.
Is changing from electric hot water to gas worth it?
It can be worthwhile where gas provides a specific advantage such as removing the storage tank, providing continuous-flow hot water or strong gas recovery. If lower long-term energy use is the main goal, a heat pump should normally be compared before changing fuel type.
Should I choose instant gas or gas storage?
Instant gas is generally the relevant option where compact size and continuous-flow delivery matter most. Gas storage keeps a stored reserve and combines tank capacity with gas-fired recovery.
Can instant gas replace an electric hot-water tank?
Yes. The electric cylinder can be removed and a suitably sized continuous-flow gas appliance installed in an appropriate location. The property's gas supply must have enough capacity for the selected system.
Can gas storage replace electric storage in the same position?
Sometimes. An existing outdoor tank position may provide useful space, but the location still needs to meet the requirements of the selected gas-storage system, including gas supply, combustion clearances and service access.
Do I need an existing gas connection?
A suitable fuel supply is required. This may be reticulated natural gas or an appropriate LPG arrangement. If no gas infrastructure currently exists, the cost and practicality of adding gas should be compared with remaining electric.
Is my cooktop gas pipe big enough for instant gas hot water?
It should not be assumed. Continuous-flow hot-water systems can have significant gas demand, so pipe size, available pressure, regulator or meter capacity and other connected appliances need to be assessed.
Is gas cheaper to run than electric hot water?
Actual cost depends on the electricity and gas tariffs, household hot-water use, system type and whether the property has rooftop solar. If running cost is the main concern, heat pump should also be compared because it uses much less electrical energy than conventional resistance storage.
Is instant gas better than electric storage if we keep running out of hot water?
A correctly sized instant gas system can provide continuous-flow hot water and avoids the finite stored volume of an electric cylinder. Before changing fuel, also check whether the existing electric system is simply undersized or whether a larger or faster-recovery heat pump would solve the problem.
Is gas storage better than electric storage for recovery?
Gas storage can provide strong burner recovery, so it should be assessed using both tank capacity and recovery rate. Whether that advantage justifies changing fuel depends on the household's demand and installation conditions.
What happens to my electric hot-water circuit after switching to gas?
The existing electrical connection needs to be safely altered or dealt with as part of the conversion. Exact requirements depend on the old system, the new gas appliance and whether any electrical supply is required for controls or ignition.
Is heat pump better than gas when replacing electric hot water?
Where the property already has a suitable tank location and the goal is lower long-term energy use, rooftop-solar compatibility or avoiding a new fuel source, heat pump should normally be compared before changing from electric to gas.
What if I already have rooftop solar?
Electric and heat-pump hot-water systems can use household solar-generated electricity. A gas burner cannot use that PV generation as its primary heating energy, so homes with rooftop solar should consider this before moving hot water to gas.
Does an electric-to-heat-pump upgrade qualify for STCs?
An eligible listed heat-pump system may qualify when the exact appliance and completed installation satisfy current Small-scale Technology Certificate requirements. Conventional gas systems do not receive the heat-pump STC pathway.
Thinking About Moving From Electric to Gas? Compare All Three Upgrade Paths
Instant gas can remove the storage tank and provide continuous-flow hot water. Gas storage can provide strong burner recovery. If your existing electric tank position already works, compare a heat pump too — particularly when lower long-term energy use, rooftop solar or avoiding new gas infrastructure matters.