An economical solar hot water repair in Lane Cove (North Shore).

We recently received a phone call from Jackie at Lane Cove who was having problems with her Apricus solar hot water system.

When John, our senior hot water plumber (and Cheapa Hot Water business owner), took the call he thought to himself “this customer doesn’t seem to have much faith in tradespeople“. And it was with good reason…

Before calling us, Jackie had contacted one of the large jack-of-all-trades franchise groups asking them to send out a hot water repair technician to look at her solar HWS which wasn’t heating. As is often the case, rather than sending out a licensed hot water plumber, two “salesmen” arrived and informed Jackie that her hot water heater was beyond repair and needed replacing. They explained that not only did she need a new hot water tank but all the piping and electrics also needed to be replaced – at a cost of $7,500!! They then pressured Jackie into paying a $1,000 deposit as they only had a 30 minute window to purchase the new solar system on her behalf.

Thankfully Jackie was smart enough to seek a second opinion and called us.

When John took the call, he happened to be working locally on the North Shore so suggested he stop by and inspect the solar hot water heater for himself. So, on a rainy Wednesday afternoon, John (with Jackie holding the umbrella sheltering them both from the rain) ascertained that the problem could be fixed right there and then for only $450! The wiring at the bottom of the hot water system had simply burnt out and some parts needed replacing. A very simple fix.

Any licensed hot water plumber would have very quickly recognised this to be the problem within a few minutes of inspecting the system. There was no excuse whatsoever for the previous “tradesmen” (and we use that term very loosely) to recommend the installation of a new solar hot water system.

Sadly, we encounter cases like this all the time. Unwitting customers are conned every day by shrewd salesmen masquerading as tradespeople. They bamboozle unsuspecting customers with tech talk and lead them believe they don’t have any other option but to replace their hot water system. Why do they do this? Our guess is they must receive a hefty commission from their employers for upselling, giving them a financial incentive.

The moral to the story… don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion and always employ licensed, reputable tradespeople.

Customer testimonial

Fantastic company to deal with, John was honest, reliable and a pleasure to deal with. He repaired our current hot water system and saved us from spending thousands of dollars we were quoted from a competitor for a brand new hot water system. Very grateful! Highly recommend Cheapa Hot Water. – Jackie, Lane Cove (read more testimonials »).

For solar hot water repairs and replacement advice

Cheapa Hot Water Sydney

Hot water is our business – it’s not a sideline. Each year we repair and install hundreds of hot water systems in homes and businesses across Sydney.

We offer free delivery of your new hot water system and complimentary disposal and recycling of your old water heater.
As one of Sydney’s largest hot water system suppliers, our enormous buying powers and ability to buy direct from the manufacturer means we can pass attractive savings on to our customers.
Our fully qualified, licensed hot water heater installers have 30+ years of experience each. We are fully insured and pride ourselves on our old-fashioned customer service.
We are accredited service agents for all the hot water heater brands including Rheem, Dux, Rinnai, Aquamax, Bosch, Conergy, Hocking, Apricus, Vulcan, Edwards Solar, Solahart, Everhot and more.
We are qualified to undertake all the plumbing and electrical work required to install a new hot water system. There is no need to waste time and money employing multiple trades.
We have all the equipment needed to install your hot water system today. We don’t have to hire or wait for other trades to arrive with the required equipment.

Save time and money by employing a local hot water expert

Did you know that often the repair and installation of a hot water system requires the expertise and qualifications of both a licensed plumber and a licensed electrician?

We are qualified to undertake any plumbing and electrical work required to ensure your hot water heater is repaired quickly and within budget. Plumbers who do not specialise in the installation of hot water heaters may need to outsource the electrical work required to another tradesperson, thereby holding up your hot water system repair or installation, adding extra expense due to additional call-out fees charged by employing two tradespeople.

Your hot water heater is an expensive appliance. Don’t risk voiding your warranty.

Additionally, most manufacturers won’t cover the terms of your hot water system warranty if it isn’t installed by a licensed hot water technician or a qualified plumber. Hot water tanks are an expensive appliance so why would you risk voiding your warranty by installing it yourself or employing the services of someone who isn’t licensed?

Fast hot water repairs throughout Sydney

Our licensed hot water technicians provide fast repair services throughout Sydney including the Northern Beaches, Upper and Lower North Shore, Eastern Suburbs, Hills District, Inner West, Western Suburbs + Blacktown, St George + Bexley, Campbelltown, Sutherland Shire, Penrith, Liverpool, Hornsby, and Ryde. With fully stocked service vehicles and access to thousands of spare parts, we can often diagnose and repair your hot water system on the first visit.