Both systems do the job well. The right choice comes down to your gas connection, household size and what you're trying to save on — upfront cost or running cost. Here's the honest breakdown.
Gas vs electric
Every week Glenn gets asked the same question: should the new hot water system be gas or electric? There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on whether you've got a gas connection, household size, how much hot water you use, and whether you value upfront price or ongoing running cost more.
Broadly, gas systems tend to be cheaper to run in Perth for households with an existing gas connection, particularly larger families with heavier demand. Electric is usually a little cheaper to buy and install, and remains the straightforward option with no gas connection. Neither is "wrong" — it's a trade-off between running cost, install cost and what's already connected to your property.
Quick take
Call Gecko Plumbing for a straight answer, not a sales pitch.
Call NowSide by side
Running cost: Generally the cheapest to run where gas is connected.
Recovery: Fast — reheats a full tank quickly between uses.
Footprint: Needs outdoor space and a gas line.
Best for: Medium to large households with a gas connection already at the property.
Running cost: Higher than gas per litre heated, though tariff and usage matter.
Recovery: Slower reheat than gas.
Footprint: Simple install, no gas line needed.
Best for: Properties without gas, or smaller households with lighter demand.
Running cost: You only heat what you use — no standby losses.
Recovery: Effectively endless hot water on demand.
Footprint: Compact, wall-mounted, no bulky tank.
Best for: Households wanting to free up space, in gas or electric form.
Making the call
Gas storage or gas continuous flow will usually cost less to run over the system's life.
A new gas line just for hot water rarely stacks up. Electric storage or continuous flow is the practical choice.
Won't see much benefit from gas. A straightforward electric storage system, cheaper to install, does the job.
Continuous flow — gas or electric — is worth pricing against a straight replacement.
In practice, Glenn installs a mix of everything across the northern suburbs — Rheem and Dux gas and electric storage units for straightforward changeovers, Rinnai and Bosch continuous flow systems where a household wants the tank gone, and Everhot units where a durable, fair-priced replacement is what's needed. None of these brands is the automatic right answer — the property and household decide that. If you're weighing up your hot water system — or water heater, as some call it — against a full budget, our hot water system cost guide for Perth breaks down typical installed prices, and our heat pump hot water systems Perth guide covers that efficient middle-ground option too.
Cost, honestly
As a rough guide, a gas storage hot water system installed across Perth typically sits around the $2,900 mark, depending on tank size, brand and any extra plumbing or flue work needed. Electric storage is usually a bit cheaper again upfront, with no gas line or flueing involved — but that gap can close over a few years if your household uses plenty of hot water and gas suits your situation better.
Continuous flow systems, gas or electric, generally cost more to install than basic storage but remove standby heat loss, since they only heat water as it's used. The more efficient path environmentally usually comes down to matching system size correctly to the household rather than fuel type alone. For households wanting less reliance on gas altogether, an electric heat pump system is worth comparing.
Licensed and local
Gecko Plumbing holds plumbing licence PL 7280 and gasfitting licence GF 013284, so whether it's a gas changeover, an electric replacement or a continuous flow install, the job is done properly and to code. Glenn has replaced systems right across the northern suburbs, including recent jobs in Karrinyup and Innaloo. Already know your old system has failed? Our main hot water replacement page covers the process from call to install.
Call for a free, honest quote — no obligation.
Call NowFAQ
For most Perth homes with a gas connection, gas hot water is generally cheaper to run than electric, especially for larger households with higher demand. Electric can still suit smaller households or efficient off-peak tariffs.
Often yes. Electric storage is typically a bit cheaper to install than gas storage or continuous flow, since there's no gas line or flue work involved. Gas storage installed commonly sits around $2,900, while electric can sit somewhat below that.
If there's no gas connection at the property, electric storage or electric continuous flow is the practical choice. Running a new gas line just for hot water usually isn't worth the added cost.
A typical gas storage hot water system installed in Perth is around $2,900, depending on brand, tank size, access and any extra plumbing or flueing required. Gecko Plumbing provides a clear, itemised quote before work starts.
Storage tanks suit households with predictable, high-volume hot water use, while continuous flow (gas or electric) suits homes wanting endless hot water without a tank taking up space. Larger families with gas often do well with continuous flow or a bigger storage unit.
Call Gecko Plumbing for straight advice on what suits your home, plus a free quote for the install.
