Continuous Flow
Gas continuous flow units heat water as it passes through. Fuel supply, output, ventilation and placement need assessment by a suitable licensed gas contractor. Availability is not confirmed through this website.
Is continuous flow right for you?
- Understanding on-demand heating
- Simultaneous outlet demand
- Licensed gas assessment
This is general information about continuous flow systems, not a contractor offer. No local contractor is currently approved; gas work is conditional on suitable licensed contractor availability.
Already have this system and it has stopped working? See hot water repairs or replacement.
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Explore the questions for your hot water enquiry.
Contact number: Call 07 4580 2422
What to know about continuous flow hot water.
- Space
- Wall-mounted; frees the footprint of an outdoor tank.
- Install time
- Half to a full day when replacing a storage system.
- Key sizing factor
- Flow rate, not tank volume — outlets used at once.
- Best fit
- Variable usage, tight sites and renovations.
A continuous flow unit heats as water passes through, so it does not run out the way a tank does. Sizing is about flow rate: if the household regularly runs two showers and a tap together, the unit has to be specified for it. Changing from storage adds pipework and gas work, which is why it is quoted as a system change rather than a swap.
What to watch for
- Temperature dropping when a second outlet opens — usually undersizing.
- Error codes on the controller, which narrow the fault quickly.
- Cold-water sandwich on short draw-offs, which is normal behaviour rather than a fault.
Storage vs continuous flow
The choice most homeowners face when an outdoor tank finally fails.
| Storage tank | Continuous flow | |
|---|---|---|
| How it heats | Heats and stores a set volume | Heats water on demand as it flows |
| Running out | Possible if the tank is drained faster than it recovers | Does not run out; flow rate is the limit |
| Space | Floor-standing footprint indoors or outdoors | Compact wall-mounted unit |
| Energy options | Electric, gas, solar-boosted or heat pump | Natural gas or LPG (electric models are limited) |
| Best suited to | Predictable daily use, off-peak tariffs | Variable use, tight sites, renovations |
Still deciding? Read repair or replace and the replacement cost guide. A contractor must confirm scope, charges and suitability.
Understand the referral model
This website does not carry out trade work. Availability, qualifications and contractor-issued quotes require independent confirmation.
Referral, not trade work
Toowoomba Hot Water Group is operated through Tradie Code. It does not carry out plumbing, gas or electrical work.
Electric hot water focus
Residential electric repairs, replacements and installation information, with heat pumps as a secondary option.
Availability must be confirmed
No local contractor is currently approved. This website cannot promise attendance or a response time.
Continuous Flow questions.
Will I really never run out of hot water?
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A correctly sized continuous flow unit heats on demand, so it does not run out the way a tank does. Flow rate is the limit — if too many outlets run at once the temperature can drop, which is why sizing matters.
Does a continuous flow unit save space?
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Yes. The unit is wall-mounted and compact, which is why it is a popular choice when a renovation needs to reclaim the footprint of an outdoor storage tank.
Can I run continuous flow on LPG?
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Yes, provided the unit is configured for LPG and the supply can deliver the required rate. A licensed gas contractor must confirm both.
Why does the water go cold briefly when I turn the tap back on?
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That is the cold-water sandwich: the short slug of unheated water sitting in the pipe between draw-offs. It is normal behaviour for on-demand units rather than a fault.
More answers in our hot water FAQ hub and the learning centre.
Toowoomba homeowner information
No approved local contractor or wider coverage is currently advertised. View geographic focus and availability.
Other systems.
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Solar
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Ready to get your hot water sorted?
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