Continuous Flow
Instantaneous LPG or electric units heat water on demand — no storage, no running out. Compact, wall-mounted and popular on Darwin renovations and elevated homes where under-house or verandah space is at a premium.
Is continuous flow right for you?
- Variable usage
- Space-constrained sites
- Renovations
We install, replace and repair continuous flow systems from all the major Australian brands. Not sure if it's the right fit? Send through an enquiry and we'll walk you through it.
Already have this system and it has stopped working? See hot water repairs, replacement or emergency help.
Tell us what's happening
Answer a couple of quick questions so we can get your hot water sorted.
Prefer to speak now? Call (08) 8911 6093
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 Darwin replacement cost guide, or ask us — advice over the phone costs nothing.
Continuous Flow — installed and serviced by specialists.
Licensed, insured plumbers, all major brands, and a clear price before any work is agreed.
Licensed & insured
Hot water work is carried out by Northern Territory licensed, insured plumbers — with the paperwork you need for warranty claims.
Hot water specialists
We work on hot water every day: storage, continuous flow, heat pump and solar, across all the major Australian brands.
Fast, prioritised response
Urgent no-hot-water and leak calls are prioritised, with same-day service wherever the day allows.
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. We confirm both before recommending it.
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.
Continuous Flow hot water, close to home.
Other systems.
Compare all →
Electric
The Darwin default — simple, proven, easy to replace.
Gas
LPG storage where bottled gas is already on site.
Heat Pump
Efficient year-round in Darwin's warm ambient air.
Solar
A natural fit for the Top End's solar resource.
Ready to get your hot water sorted?
Send through a quick enquiry and we'll get back to you fast to help sort your hot water.