From our headquarters in Mernda, Melbourne Gas & Air Conditioning Group delivers rapid, reliable hot water service and installation to homes across Doreen, South Morang, Epping, and Eltham. Whether you have a burst gas storage unit in Eltham or are looking to upgrade to a high-efficiency Heat Pump hot water system…
Doreen & Mernda: It’s Time to disconnect the Gas.
In new estates across Doreen (Laurimar) and Mernda, rooftops are covered in solar panels. Yet, many of these homes are still burning expensive gas to heat their water.
Why send your free solar electricity back to the grid for a measly feed-in tariff (5c/kWh) while paying huge rates to burn gas? The smartest homeowners in Melbourne’s north are switching to Heat Pump Hot Water Systems to act as a “Thermal Battery.”
What is a “Thermal Battery”?
You might not have a Tesla Powerwall, but you do have a water tank.
A Heat Pump (like the iStore or Reclaim) is an intelligent electric water heater.
- We set the timer to run between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM (peak solar production).
- The unit sucks in free solar power from your roof.
- It heats the water to 60°C+.
- The tank is heavily insulated, keeping that water hot for your evening showers and the next morning.
Result: You are heating your water for $0.
Heat Pump vs. Gas Instantaneous: The Showdown
| Feature | Gas Instantaneous (Standard) | Heat Pump (The Upgrade) |
| Efficiency | ~80% (Losses through flue) | 400% (1kW in = 4kW heat out) |
| Solar Sync | Impossible | Perfect Match |
| Supply Charge | $1.00+ per day just to connect | $0 (If you disconnect gas) |
| Noise | Silent | Whisper Quiet (Like a fridge) |
The Eltham Factor: Getting Off Gas
In Eltham, where trees shade many roofs, solar might be less effective. However, Heat Pumps are still the winner. Because they extract heat from the air (not the sun directly), they work day and night, rain or shine.
- Tech Tip: We install units with “CO2 refrigerant” (like the Reclaim) in Eltham. They work brilliantly even in sub-zero temperatures, which we often see in the Nillumbik valleys.
Why Choose MGAG?
We don’t just swap boxes. We design the system.
- Location Matters: We know where to position the compressor in Doreen narrow walkways to ensure airflow and minimise noise for neighbours.
- Electrical Safety: We upgrade your switchboard to handle the new load (something standard plumbers can’t do).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are heat pumps noisy?
A: Old ones were. The new Reclaim and iStore units we install are incredibly quiet (around 37dB), which is quieter than a library whisper.
Q: How long does installation take?
A: Usually about 4–6 hours. Since we are Dual Trade, we do the plumbing disconnect and the electrical reconnect in the same visit. You’ll have hot water that same night.
Q: What brands do you recommend?
A: We prefer Reclaim Energy (Japanese compressor, huge efficiency) and iStore (great smart features). We avoid cheap, “free” generic units that fail after 2 years.
