In most cases, a hot water system can be moved during a renovation. Whether it makes sense to move it depends on the type of system, its age and condition, how far it needs to travel and how much of the existing plumbing, gas or electrical work has to change. A short shift to the other side of the same wall is a very different job to relocating a unit across the property or switching it from indoor to outdoor altogether.
Laundry renovations, kitchen upgrades, bathroom renovation projects, extensions and deck builds all tend to raise the same question. The existing hot water system is sitting exactly where the new layout doesn’t have room for it. Before anything gets locked in, it’s worth being clear on what relocation during a home renovation actually involves, because it is rarely just a case of disconnecting the tank and carrying it to a new spot. The goal is to come out the other side with reliable hot water in a spot that works.
Yes, and it happens often during laundry conversions, kitchen extensions and general floor plan changes. But relocating a hot water system is more involved than physically shifting the tank from one spot to another.
The unit has to be disconnected, transported, positioned in the new location and recommissioned correctly. Water lines almost always need to be rerouted to reach the new position. Depending on the system, gas or electrical connections may also need to be altered, extended or upgraded. The new position itself has to satisfy current plumbing requirements and the manufacturer’s installation instructions, not just fit the available space.
This is not a simple DIY renovation task. Reconnecting a hot water system incorrectly can affect its safe operation, void the warranty, and in the case of gas or electrical work, breach the law. A licensed plumber (and where applicable, a licensed gas fitter or electrician) needs to assess the job and carry out the work.
Not every relocation needs every trade on site. What’s required depends on the system type and the scope of the move.
A simple electric tank moving a metre or two along the same wall might only need a plumber. A gas system moving from an internal cupboard to an outdoor wall, with new gas appliances or fittings involved, could need a plumber, a gas fitter and possibly an electrician. Getting a proper site assessment early, alongside the rest of your plumbing services for the renovation, is how you find out which combination applies to your job.
There’s usually a practical trigger. Common reasons homeowners relocate a hot water system during a renovation project include:
The two most common are an electric storage tank sitting in the only full-height laundry cupboard, which the homeowner wants converted into functional storage. The second is a gas unit positioned exactly where a new deck or extension is going to be built, forcing a decision on where it goes instead.
Before locking in a new position, three questions need answering:
An old or failing unit is not always worth the cost of disconnecting, moving and recommissioning. Before deciding to relocate, a good plumber will look at:
A system over 10 to 15 years old often can’t keep up with demand and costs more to run than it should. If you’re adding a second bathroom or new fixtures, that only makes the gap worse. Check the surrounding flooring and cabinetry for rot while it’s exposed, since an old tank that’s been slowly leaking usually leaves a mark.
If the system’s already had repeated repairs, get a plumber to look at it properly before anyone touches a pipe. Moving a unit that’s on its way out often just means paying to install a new one again in a couple of years anyway.
A spot that looks convenient on a floor plan doesn’t automatically suit a hot water system. Before committing to a location, check:
Moving a hot water system rarely just means moving the appliance. Depending on the system, you may need to extend or reroute:
Opening up walls can also reveal old or outdated pipework hidden behind cladding, sometimes with unseen leaks, blocked pipes or corrosion causing slow water flow or poor water quality. It’s generally worth addressing this at the same time as extending pipes to the new location, rather than closing everything back up over it.
The type of hot water system you have changes what relocation involves. What’s straightforward for one system can be a much bigger job for another.
Electric systems need both a water connection and an electrical supply at the new location. Consider whether a dedicated circuit is required, whether isolation switches need repositioning, and whether the new spot can take the weight of a full tank. A stable base, or an internal safe tray where required, is part of the job, along with relief valve discharge at the new position.
Electric relocation tends to be more manageable when the new position is close to existing services, but shouldn’t be assumed to be automatically simple. Extending wiring or upgrading a circuit can turn a straightforward-looking move into a bigger electrical job.
Gas systems bring their own considerations, such as gas pipe sizing and pressure, flue and exhaust requirements, combustion air, and clearances from windows, doors and other building services. Indoor and outdoor gas units aren’t interchangeable either. A model approved for indoor use can’t automatically be installed outside, and vice versa, so this needs checking against the manufacturer’s specifications before a location is finalised.
There’s no single clearance distance that applies across every gas appliance. It depends on the specific unit and the manufacturer’s instructions, which is why a licensed gas fitter needs to sign off on the new position and complete the required testing and certification.
Heat pumps extract heat from the surrounding air, so airflow and ambient temperature both affect performance in the new position. They also generate fan and compressor noise, similar to an air conditioning unit, and that noise carries if the new spot is close to bedroom windows or a neighbouring property.
Other things to check include condensate drainage, service clearances, and whether you’re moving a split system or an integrated unit, since requirements differ. Manufacturer warranty conditions can also be affected if the new location doesn’t meet the minimum air volume or clearance requirements in the installation manual.
Solar is generally the biggest job to relocate, because you’re usually dealing with two separate things: the tank and the collectors up on the roof. Moving the tank on its own is straightforward enough. But if the new roof area doesn’t get the same sun, the collectors have to move too, and that’s when it turns into a much bigger job, roofing and structural work, new circulation pipework, pump and controller wiring repositioned, the lot.
Before assuming a solar system can simply follow the renovation, it’s worth checking whether the new roof area still gets the solar access the system needs to perform properly.
Every extra metre of pipe means more heat lost before the water reaches the tap, longer waits, and more water down the drain. A kitchen tap feels this more than a bathroom does, since it’s used in short, frequent bursts rather than one long run. It’s also backed by government energy guidance, which recommends short pipe runs and a water heater positioned close to the wet areas it feeds, since hot water alone makes up 15% to 30% of the average home’s energy use. Where possible, sitting the system centrally to the bathrooms, kitchen and laundry is the more efficient call.
The position needs to work for servicing too, not just installation day. That means room for valve checks, replacing an element, burner, compressor or anode, and eventually pulling the whole unit out when it’s due for replacement. One of the most common mistakes in a renovation is building cabinetry, decking or screening too close to the system, so the first service call ends up needing carpentry work before the plumber can even start.
Heat pump noise, gas exhaust, proximity to bedroom windows or entertaining areas, neighbouring properties, coastal exposure, flood-prone positions and direct weather exposure are all worth thinking through before the location is locked. If you want to screen the unit for appearance, get the plumber or installer to review the design first. Screening built without checking airflow and access requirements is a common and avoidable mistake.
Relocating a hot water system is regulated plumbing work. Any electrical or gas alterations required as part of the move need to be carried out by appropriately licensed trades, and the completed installation has to meet current standards, the manufacturer’s requirements and applicable state or territory regulations.
These are the current Australian Standards that apply to relocated systems, not just new installations. Heated water services are covered by AS/NZS 3500.4:2025, which sets requirements for the design, installation and commissioning of these systems and applies to alterations as well as new installations. Gas installations fall under AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 and its current amendments, while electrical work must comply with the applicable wiring rules and your state or territory regulator’s requirements.
A tempering valve is often required to be refitted or checked at the new location too. Hot water needs to be stored hot enough to control bacterial growth, then brought down to a safe delivery temperature before it reaches the tap, which is what a tempering valve manages, helping prevent scalding.
Certificates, notifications, or inspections may apply depending on where you are, and requirements vary by state, territory, council, and the scope of the job, since a relocation can be treated differently under local rules than a like-for-like replacement. It’s worth having your plumber confirm exactly what applies to your property before work begins. Hold onto invoices, compliance certificates and product documentation once the job’s done, alongside your standard consumer guarantees, for warranty claims, insurance purposes and any future sale.
This is often the real decision hiding behind the relocation question. If the existing system is in good shape, relocating makes sense. If it’s ageing, undersized or already causing problems, replacing it and choosing the right hot water system for the new location can work out better than paying to move something you’ll likely replace within a few years.
A renovation is also a reasonable opportunity to take advantage of a more energy-efficient new system, particularly if you’re already paying for pipework, gas, or electrical changes to get there.
| Consideration | Relocate Existing System | Replace and Relocate |
| System age | Better for a relatively recent unit | Better for an ageing unit |
| Condition | No leaks, rust or recurring faults | Corrosion, leaks or repeated repairs |
| Efficiency | Existing running costs are acceptable | Opportunity to reduce long-term energy use |
| Capacity | Still suits household demand | Too small, or unnecessarily large |
| New location | Compatible with the existing unit | Requires a different system format |
| Renovation goal | Primarily about freeing up space | Part of a broader efficiency upgrade |
| Warranty | Remains valid after compliant relocation | New product and installation warranties apply |
The cheapest option in the moment isn’t always the best decision across the whole renovation. If you’re on the fence, weighing up the age, condition and running costs of your current system against a new one is worth doing properly rather than guessing. A licensed plumber can assess your system directly and tell you which side of this table you’re on.
There’s no single number that applies to every relocation, because cost is driven by what’s connected to the unit, not just its physical size. Main variables include:
It’s worth understanding the difference between moving a tank to the other side of the same wall, moving a system across the property, changing fuel type as part of the move, relocating a rooftop solar system, and replacing an internal storage tank with an outdoor heat pump.
Each is a genuinely different scope of work, and a quote should reflect that rather than assume a flat rate applies. The most reliable way to arrive at a final price is a site assessment. Getting this done early, rather than mid-renovation, also helps keep project delays to a minimum.
Step 1. Assess the system during planning. Before floor plans and cabinetry are finalised, identify the system’s age, model and dimensions, discuss the household’s future hot water needs, and shortlist one or two possible new locations.
Step 2. Get a site assessment. A plumber should inspect the plumbing routes, gas supply, switchboard capacity, drainage, access and clearances, and check the proposed position against the manufacturer’s requirements.
Step 3. Coordinate the rough-in. Any pipework, wiring, drainage or gas alterations should be completed before walls and floors are finished, not discovered afterwards.
Step 4. Relocate or install the system. Coordinate the downtime with the rest of the renovation schedule so the household knows in advance when hot water will be unavailable.
Step 5. Test and commission. Confirm there are no water or gas leaks, electrical operation is correct, water is delivered at a safe temperature, the relief valve operates properly, and all system settings are correct before signing off.
Having this information ready speeds up an accurate quote and reduces the chance of a surprise variation later:
The existing unit should be properly assessed before any money is spent moving it, and the new location needs to balance compliance, performance, access and the renovation design, not just available floor space. Whether the answer ends up being to relocate, replace, or design the layout around the system staying put, getting that answer before demolition starts is what keeps the rest of the project on schedule.
Same Day Hot Water Service can talk you through whether relocating, repairing or replacing makes the most sense for your property and your renovation timeline, and arrange a site assessment before your layout is locked in.
Often, yes, but it depends on whether the specific model is approved for outdoor use. Moving outdoors also introduces new weather exposure, drainage and base requirements, and may involve additional gas or electrical connections. A licensed plumber needs to confirm the unit is suitable first.
It depends on the system type, the distance being moved, how many trades are needed and how much pipework, gas or electrical work has to change. A site-specific quote is the only reliable way to know what your job will cost.
Not always. If the unit is ageing, inefficient or has a history of repairs, relocating it can mean paying for the move now and a replacement again shortly after. Get it assessed before deciding.
A plumber handles the water connections and pipework, but electrical alterations may require a licensed electrician depending on the scope of work and your state’s requirements.
Yes, but it requires a licensed gas fitter to handle the gas line, pressure, flue, exhaust and clearance requirements, along with the necessary compliance certification once the work is done.
Yes. The main things to check are airflow, noise, ambient temperature, condensate drainage, and any electrical work involved. Warranty conditions can be affected if the new location doesn’t meet the manufacturer’s minimum requirements.
Not automatically. Relocation itself doesn’t reduce pressure, but pipe length, sizing, fittings and existing supply conditions can cause flow issues and affect how quickly hot water arrives at the tap.
A simple, nearby move can often be completed in a day. Jobs involving several trades, roof work or significant service rerouting take longer, so ask for a realistic timeframe as part of your quote.