Updated October 2026
Murrumba Downs filled in through the 1990s and 2000s on the northern side of the Pine River, with big brick-and-tile family homes on generous blocks. Households here tend to be larger than the regional average, which changes what the hot water system has to do. Moreton Bay Hot Water is a free referral service connecting you with QBCC-licensed hot water plumbers who cover Murrumba Downs.
Big households need properly sized systems
The most common hot water mistake in a suburb like this is replacing a failed tank with the same size that was already too small. A family home with two or more bathrooms running back-to-back morning showers needs either a larger storage tank, often 315 litres or more for electric, or a continuous flow unit sized for simultaneous use. When you request a quote, say how many people and bathrooms the system serves, not just what the old unit was.
Many homes of this era still run electric storage, and storage tanks typically last 8 to 12 years. If yours is a 1990s house on its second system, that second system is probably due.
Generous blocks make Murrumba Downs natural heat pump country. There is room to place the unit away from bedrooms, and a bigger household is exactly where the running-cost savings compound.
Costs, from swap to upgrade
A like-for-like electric storage swap runs from around $800 to $2,500 installed, with larger tanks at the upper end. Gas storage and continuous flow sit around $1,200 to $3,500 installed where gas is connected, and availability varies street by street, which the plumber confirms. Repairs on younger systems run roughly $150 to $600 depending on the part.
Heat pumps run around $3,000 to $6,000 installed before incentives, and federal Small-scale Technology Certificates can cut a meaningful amount off, with the installer quoting the net figure. Some owners with north-facing roof space also weigh up solar hot water, which carries the highest upfront cost. Whatever the direction, these are guide figures and the plumber's quote is the price that counts.
Frequently asked questions
What size hot water system does a family home need?
As a rule of thumb, allow roughly 50 litres of storage per person per day for electric, and size continuous flow by how many outlets run at once. The plumber confirms sizing on site.
Can a failed tank be replaced the same day?
For common sizes, same-day replacement is often possible when the request lands in the morning with clear details and photos. Unusual sizes or upgrades may need a day to organise.
Should we move from two systems to one?
Sometimes. Some larger homes run two tanks at opposite ends of the house, and consolidating to one well-sized system or a continuous flow unit can simplify things. It depends on pipe runs, so get it assessed as part of the quote.