Updated October 2026
Woody Point is the oldest part of the peninsula, wrapped around the jetty and Bramble Bay with narrow blocks and streets that climb away from the water. The housing predates almost everything in the newer parts of the region, and the hot water systems reflect that. Moreton Bay Hot Water is a free referral service connecting you with QBCC-licensed hot water plumbers who cover Woody Point.
Old cottages, salt and stairs
Waterfront and near-waterfront homes here take the full brunt of the salt air. External tanks, valves and fittings corrode faster than they would a few kilometres inland, and a tank that should see 8 to 12 years can fail earlier. The giveaway is usually a weeping relief valve or rust staining at the base rather than a dramatic failure.
The houses themselves complicate the swap. Narrow blocks, side paths, steps down from the street and small laundries all mean a replacement takes longer than a straight garage swap. Old pipework often needs a tempering valve brought up to current requirements when the new system goes in.
Renovation history matters too. Plenty of Woody Point cottages have been lifted or extended, and the hot water system sometimes ends up in an awkward spot that a new unit cannot simply occupy. Photos with your quote request save everybody a wasted visit.
Repair it or replace it
A leaking tank is a replacement. Elements, thermostats and relief valves on a younger system are often worth fixing, with repairs roughly $150 to $600 depending on the part. See hot water repairs and hot water replacement.
As a guide, electric storage like-for-like swaps run from around $800 to $2,500 installed. Gas storage and continuous flow sit around $1,200 to $3,500 installed where gas is connected. Heat pumps run around $3,000 to $6,000 installed before incentives. These are guide figures, and the plumber's quote is the price that counts.
Frequently asked questions
Our access is down a set of steps. Does that change the price?
It can, because the old tank has to come out and the new one go in by hand. Mention it with photos when you request the quote so the price reflects the real job.
Is a continuous flow unit a good fit for a small block?
It can be, because the unit is about the size of a small suitcase and frees up the laundry space a tank was using. It does need adequate gas supply, which the plumber checks first.