4.4 Replacement of open-vented water storage heater connected to supplementary heat exchanger
A building consent is not required for an authorised person to replace open-vented water storage heaters that are connected to existing supplementary heat sources, such as wetbacks or solar collection panels.
Legally required professional: Authorised Plumber
The replacement water storage heater must be comparable and in the same position.
What the law says
Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004
Exemption 37. Replacement of open-vented water storage heater connected to supplementary heat exchanger.
The replacement of any water-storage heater connected to a solid-fuel heater or other supplementary heat exchanger if the replacement:
(a). is a comparable open-vented water storage heater; and
(b). is fixed in the same position, and uses the same pipework, as the replaced water storage heater.
What is exempt
- A homeowner wants to replace an open-vented water storage heater with a comparable open-vented water storage heater in the same position, using the same pipe work and connected to solar water heating collectors.
- A building owner wants to replace an open-vented water storage heater with another open-vented water storage heater in the same position, using the same pipe work and connected to a solid-fuel heater wetback.
- A building owner wants to replace an external water storage heater with a heat pump water storage heater (for example, replacing an open-vented water storage heater with another open-vented storage heater) in the same position, using the same pipe work and connected to a heat pump.
What needs consent
- A homeowner wants to replace an open-vented water storage heater with a valve-vented water storage heater. As the water-storage heaters are not comparable, a building consent will be required.
- A homeowner wants to replace and relocate an open-vented water storage heater and reconnect it to the existing wood burner with a wetback. As the replaced water storage heater will not be fixed in the same position, a building consent is required.
- The homeowner wants to replace an open-vented water storage heater and add a wetback where there was no wetback before.
- A homeowner wants to add a roof-mounted solar collection panel which will be connected to an existing open-vented water storage heater.