Water Efficiency Certificate failure (QLD)

Discussion in 'Renovation & Home Improvement' started by Mill, 27th Nov, 2019.

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  1. Mill

    Mill Well-Known Member

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    Organised a plumber to do a water efficiency certificate on a property I recently purchased & renovated.

    I have installed all new water efficient taps & showers so thought it would be a simple exercise.

    Get a call saying the property failed because the Hot Water System valves have expired.

    I can't find any evidence on this requirement on the RTA website.

    Has anyone heard of this requirement???
     
    Mill, 27th Nov, 2019
    #1
  2. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    If the valves have expired, the HWS will leak. Maybe not a lot, but enough.

    At the moment, our valve needs replacing. Water is slowly leaking, but constant.
    Plumber organised.

    Better get it replaced. Now that your property has been declared non-compliant, you can’t charge the tenant for water usage.
     
    Marg4000, 27th Nov, 2019
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  3. Mill

    Mill Well-Known Member

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    I don't think valves start leaking the moment they expire. I understand their reliability may decrease but mine certainly weren't leaking.

    The thing I don't get is the property was deemed non-compliant because of a requirement that doesn't exist for the RTA. The cynic in me can't help but feel like this was job creation from a quiet plumber. Never had a plumber check HWS valves for water efficiency certificate before
     
    Mill, 27th Nov, 2019
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  4. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't have thought that the certificate covered the HWS as it only refers to the tapware/cistern and the like. Linky

    The pressure relief valve is a safety feature on the HWS, it may not leak but it may not release when the pressure builds up either - that is more of a concern.
     
    Scott No Mates, 27th Nov, 2019
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  5. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    That is also my understanding, and I've just gone through is for a re-lease.
     
    wylie, 27th Nov, 2019
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  6. Mill

    Mill Well-Known Member

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    @Marg4000 can you remember how much you paid to install new valves?
     
    Mill, 28th Nov, 2019
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  7. Elives

    Elives Well-Known Member

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    If the valves have expired they're not going to be performing "efficiently" and start to leak more and more over time which make sense he didn't give a certificate. they need to be replaced every 5 years.
     
    Elives, 28th Nov, 2019
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  8. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    Plumber coming to quote. Said valve cost around $150.
     
    Marg4000, 29th Nov, 2019
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  9. Mill

    Mill Well-Known Member

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    @Marg4000 This plumber charged $285 for 2 valves.

    Called their head office to ask why this work was done as I could not find any evidence for it being an RTA requirement. Told me they would find the appropriate standard and send it to me.

    Got back to me later that day, claimed the RTA have changed the rules and is no longer required. Offered me $200 refund
     
    Mill, 29th Nov, 2019
    #9
    Dan Wood and Marg4000 like this.