A routine service on a solar hot water system in Perth usually costs a few hundred dollars. One Perth company advertises a five-year service, which replaces the sacrificial anode and the pressure relief valve, for $330 including GST on a single-storey home. Individual repairs such as a thermostat, anode or relief valve typically cost $100 to $300 each on published Perth price lists, and a new solar hot water system starts at around $3,000 installed.
The table below shows what other Perth businesses publish, so you have a benchmark for any quote you get, including ours.
Typical costs at a glance
| Job | What it involves | Published Perth prices |
|---|---|---|
| Routine service | Inspect the system, replace the anode and the pressure relief valve | $330 package, single-storey, Perth metro (Same Day Hot Water) |
| Anode replacement | Replace the sacrificial rod that protects the tank lining from corrosion | $150 to $300 (Plumbing Bros) |
| Pressure and temperature relief valve | Replace a valve that’s leaking constantly or has seized | $100 to $200 (Plumbing Bros) |
| Thermostat | Replace the thermostat on the electric or gas booster | $120 to $250 (Plumbing Bros) |
| Booster element | Replace a failed electric booster element | Priced on inspection |
| Tempering valve | Replace the valve that limits the temperature at your taps | Priced on inspection |
| Circulation pump (split systems) | Replace the pump that moves water between the roof collectors and a ground tank | Priced on inspection |
| Collector or tubes | Replace a cracked flat-plate collector or broken evacuated tubes | Priced on inspection |
| New system | Supply and install a replacement solar hot water system | From about $3,000 installed for an imported system; about $4,000 for a Solahart sized for four to five people (SolarQuotes, after rebates) |
Published prices were taken from the businesses’ own websites in September 2026 and are there for comparison. Every job depends on access, parts and the brand of system you have. We’ll give you a fixed price before any work starts.
What pushes the price up or down
Where the tank sits. Most older Perth systems are close-coupled, with the tank on the roof above the collectors. Anything that needs the tank means roof work, ladders and harnesses, and sometimes a second technician. Split systems keep the tank on the ground, which makes tank jobs quicker, but they add a pump and a controller that can fail.
One storey or two. A two-storey roof takes longer to work on safely. The $330 service price quoted above only applies to single-storey homes.
The brand and its age. Parts for Solahart, Rheem and Edwards systems are easy to get in Perth. Older or discontinued models sometimes need adapted parts, which adds time.
What we find when we get there. A service that turns up a corroded anode or a failing valve becomes a service plus a repair. We’ll show you what we found and price it before we do anything extra.
Call-out fees. Some Perth plumbers charge one and some don’t. Ask before you book, and ask whether it’s credited against the work.
How often should a solar hot water system be serviced?
Many manufacturers recommend a service every five years. We recommend every three years in Perth. The anode is the part that decides how long your tank lasts: once it’s used up, the tank itself starts to corrode, and a corroded tank can’t be repaired. Checking it at three years catches it while it’s still a cheap part.
A service should include:
- checking the anode and replacing it if it’s worn
- testing the pressure and temperature relief valve and replacing it if needed
- checking the tempering valve and the temperature at your taps
- checking the booster element and thermostat
- inspecting the collectors or tubes, hoses and roof fittings for damage and leaks
- on split systems, checking the pump, the controller and its sensors
Signs it needs a repair, not just a service
- No hot water, or only lukewarm water, especially on cloudy days, which often points to the booster element or thermostat
- Water running constantly from the relief valve drain, rather than the small release you’d expect while the tank heats
- Rusty or smelly hot water, a sign the anode may be gone and the tank is at risk
- Water pooling under the tank or dripping from the roof
- A split system pump that runs at night or never runs at all
- Cracked collector glass or broken tubes after a storm
If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, call us. Our technicians will talk it through over the phone first, free of charge, and tell you whether it’s worth a visit.
Repair or replace?
A leaking tank almost always means replacement. The tank can’t be patched, and water damage to a ceiling costs far more than the system.
For anything else, weigh the repair against the system’s age. With regular servicing, a solar hot water system can last 15 to 20 years. If yours is past that and needs a major part, such as a collector or a pump and controller together, a replacement may cost less over the next decade than keeping it going.
When you do replace it, compare solar with a heat pump. Both attract federal small-scale technology certificates, which reduce the price, and a heat pump avoids roof work altogether. Our heat pump page covers the options.
Brands we service
Solahart, Rheem, Edwards and most other solar hot water brands found on Perth homes, including rooftop and split systems. With more than 60 years of combined in-house experience on solar hot water, there are few systems we haven’t seen.
Book a service or a repair: call 1300 555 274.
Common questions
How much does a solar hot water service cost in Perth? Usually a few hundred dollars for a routine service. One Perth company advertises a five-year service, including a new anode and relief valve, for $330 on a single-storey home. We’ll give you a fixed price for your system before we start.
How often should I service my solar hot water system? Many manufacturers say every five years. We recommend every three years in Perth, so the anode gets replaced before the tank starts to corrode.
Is it worth repairing an old solar hot water system? If the tank isn’t leaking, usually yes. Anodes, valves, thermostats and elements are inexpensive parts. A leaking tank, or a system over 15 years old that needs a major part, is usually better replaced.
Why is water dripping from my relief valve? A small release while the tank is heating is normal, because water expands as it warms. A steady flow, or dripping all day, means the valve or the system pressure needs checking.
Do you work on both rooftop and split systems? Yes. We service and repair close-coupled rooftop systems and split systems with the tank on the ground.
Sources
- Same Day Hot Water, 5-year solar hot water system service special (Perth metro, single-storey)
- Plumbing Bros, Hot water system repairs in Perth: costs, options and what to expect
- SolarQuotes, How much do solar hot water systems cost?
Written by Clark Stasiw, owner of Solar Repairs. Plumbing Licence PL6817. Updated 12 September 2026.
