Updated October 2026
North Lakes was planned and built from the ground up over the last twenty-odd years, with small lots, two-storey homes and a lot of townhouses around the lakes and the Westfield centre. Almost every system in the suburb went in with the house, which means a wave of them are reaching the end of their life at the same time. Moreton Bay Hot Water is a free referral service connecting you with QBCC-licensed hot water plumbers who cover North Lakes.
First-generation systems coming due
Storage tanks typically last 8 to 12 years, and an estate built in bursts produces replacements in bursts too. If your house is from the first stages and still has its original tank, the compliance plate will tell you how close it is.
Lot size shapes the options. On a compact block with a two-storey house, there is often less room beside the house than people expect, and a heat pump needs airflow and a position where the compressor hum does not sit under a bedroom window, yours or the neighbour's. Continuous flow is popular here for the same reason, because the unit is about the size of a small suitcase on an external wall.
Townhouses are different again. Space dictates the system, a like-for-like swap is usually the path, and work on common property normally needs body corporate sign-off first.
Costs, from swap to upgrade
A like-for-like electric storage swap runs from around $800 to $2,500 installed. 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, with federal Small-scale Technology Certificates reducing the net installed price on eligible models. The cost guide covers the comparison, and the plumber's quote is the price that counts.
Frequently asked questions
Our block is small. Will a heat pump fit?
Often yes, but position matters more than space. The unit needs airflow and clearance, and it should sit away from bedroom windows. The plumber will tell you honestly if the block does not suit one.
Is continuous flow better for a two-storey house?
It can be, because it never runs out and it frees up floor space. It needs adequate gas supply, and a long run to an upstairs bathroom is worth mentioning so the unit is sized properly.
Do we need body corporate approval in a townhouse?
For a like-for-like swap inside your lot, usually not. For common property work or a change of system type, usually yes. Check the by-laws before you book.
Nearby, see Mango Hill and Murrumba Downs.