Outdoor hot water cylinders in Christchurch
No room inside for a cylinder, a cupboard you'd rather have back, or an old outside gas water heater to replace? An outdoor hot water cylinder goes on the outside of the house, built for the weather, and we install, replace and repair them across Christchurch.
115+ five-star Google reviewsWhy put the cylinder outside?
- Space back inside. The hallway or laundry cupboard becomes storage again, or room for a bigger bathroom or a renovation.
- Replacing an outside gas water heater. If you're coming off gas, an outdoor electric cylinder can go in the same spot without moving the plumbing inside the house.
- Mains pressure without the indoor work. Upgrading off a low pressure cylinder in a roof space or cupboard is often simpler with the new cylinder outside.
- Heat pump hot water. Integrated heat pump systems always live outside. If you're going outdoors anyway, it's worth comparing. See our heat pump hot water page.
What makes an outdoor install different
- A cylinder made for outside. Outdoor cylinders have a weatherproof outer case. An indoor cylinder can't simply be moved outside. We mostly install Rheem, Rinnai and Dux.
- A proper base and seismic restraint. It sits on a solid, level base and is restrained to the wall. In Christchurch that isn't optional.
- Frost protection. Exposed pipework and valves are lagged so a hard frost doesn't freeze or split them.
- The right spot. As close to the kitchen and bathroom as practical so hot water arrives quickly, with access left for servicing and the relief valve drains run away properly.
- Valves set up for mains pressure. Pressure limiting, expansion control and a tempering valve, so the hot water at your taps is at a safe temperature.
On the coast, in Sumner, Redcliffs and the eastern bays, salt air is harder on anything outside, so we pay attention to where the cylinder and its fittings sit.
Replacing an outdoor cylinder
Outdoor cylinders wear the same way indoor ones do: leaking from the tank or the valves, water not getting hot, or the relief valve running constantly. We replace the cylinder, fit new valves, and check the base, restraint and pipe lagging while we're there. If the old unit has a few years left and it's only a valve, we'll fix that instead and tell you.
What it costs
The price depends on the cylinder size, where it's going, and what pipework and power changes are needed to get it there. We quote it properly after a look, free in Christchurch, and what we quote is what you pay. Our rates are affordable and published on the rates page. For the full comparison of cylinder types, see our hot water cylinder page.
Get a free quote for this job
Tell us what needs doing and we'll come back to you quickly with a price. No obligation, and no charge for a quote anywhere in the Christchurch urban area.
Quotes are free in Zone 1 (the Christchurch urban area). In Zone 2, outside Christchurch, quotes are a flat $80 + GST (travel included, non-refundable), and service jobs carry a $35 + GST travel surcharge per visit, on top of the hourly rates. Which zone am I in?
If you smell gas, or have a burst pipe actively flooding your property, don't wait on a form — call 027 811 5916 now.
Common questions
Can a hot water cylinder be installed outside?
Yes, as long as it's a cylinder designed for outdoor installation, with a weatherproof case. It needs a solid level base, seismic restraint to the wall, and lagging on the exposed pipework so it copes with Christchurch frosts.
Is an outdoor hot water cylinder less efficient?
Outdoor cylinders are built and insulated for outside use. Keeping the pipe runs to the kitchen and bathroom short and lagging the exposed pipes matters more to how well it performs than which side of the wall it's on.
Can you replace my outside gas water heater with an electric cylinder?
Yes. We've replaced wall-mounted gas water heaters with outdoor mains pressure cylinders in the same spot. We cap and make safe the old gas connection as part of the job.
Should I get an outdoor cylinder or a heat pump?
If you're putting the cylinder outside anyway, an integrated heat pump hot water system is worth comparing. It costs more upfront but uses much less electricity. We'll give you both prices so you can decide.
How much does an outdoor hot water cylinder cost?
It depends on the size of the cylinder, where it's going and what pipework or power changes are needed. We give you a fixed quote after looking at the site, free in Christchurch, and what we quote is what you pay.
Where we work
We're a family owned business based at 185 Wilsons Road South in St Martins, and we work right across greater Christchurch — including these suburbs and more.