Gas Continuous Flow vs Electric Tank: Which Gives Better Shower Pressure and Reliability in Sydney?

If your main goal is a better shower, it’s easy to assume a new hot water system will “boost the pressure”. In most Sydney homes, that’s not how it works.

Shower performance comes down to two things that get mixed up all the time:

• Pressure (how hard the water is pushed through the pipes)
  • Flow rate (how much water actually comes out, usually litres per minute)

A hot water system usually doesn’t create pressure. Your incoming mains supply, pipework, and valves do that. What your hot water system can change is how much hot water it can deliver at the flow you want, for as long as you want.

This guide compares gas continuous flow (instantaneous) hot water and electric storage tanks specifically for shower pressure feel and reliability in Sydney homes, units, and apartments, with a practical checklist you can use before you replace anything.

Pressure vs Flow: Why “Weak Showers” Aren’t Always Your Hot Water System

Here’s the simplest way to think about it:

• Pressure is like the “push” in the pipes
  • Flow is how much water your shower head can deliver

You can have high pressure and still get poor shower flow if something restricts the water (a water-saving shower head, blocked filter, old galvanised pipes, a partially closed isolation valve, or a pressure reducing valve set low).

Sydney also has active pressure management in some areas. Sydney Water’s Water Pressure Management Program targets places where pressure is higher than average and aims to make pressure more consistent (which can change how showers feel in some homes over time).

The “pressure limiting” reality in Sydney (and why 500 kPa comes up)

Many Australian homes use pressure reduction/limiting devices to keep domestic pressure around a safe level. Some valves are even designed and set to limit a dwelling to around 500 kPa.

That matters because:
• If your home’s pressure is being limited, changing the hot water system won’t override it
• Some shower issues are caused by flow restriction, not a lack of pressure

Does Gas Continuous Flow Improve Shower Pressure?

A correctly sized continuous flow unit can feel amazing in the shower, but the reason isn’t “more pressure”. It’s usually because you’re getting consistent hot water at the flow you’re using.

When continuous flow feels better

Gas continuous flow tends to “win” on shower comfort when:

• You want long showers without worrying about the tank running out
  • Your household has staggered usage (one person showers, then another)
  • You’re happy to size the unit properly for your peak demand (more on sizing below)

When continuous flow can feel worse (and it surprises people)

Continuous flow can feel disappointing if:

• The unit is undersized for the number of bathrooms
  • You run two showers at once and the system can’t maintain temperature at that combined flow
  • Your bathroom has very low-flow fixtures and the unit has a minimum flow requirement to fire consistently (this is model dependent, but it’s a real-world cause of “hot water cuts out”)
  • You’re in a home with borderline incoming flow at peak times

Also, continuous flow systems rely on electronics and ignition, and most need power for controls (even though they heat with gas). If there’s a blackout, many models won’t run.

Does an Electric Storage Tank Give Better Shower Pressure?

An electric tank is often the “quiet achiever” for shower feel because it can deliver strong hot-water flow up to the limits of your plumbing, until the stored hot water starts to deplete.

When electric tanks feel better

Electric storage tanks often feel best when:

• You have one bathroom and want a simple system
  • You prefer fewer moving parts and simple operation
  • You want stable performance even if your water flow varies a bit (the tank isn’t trying to “modulate” heat output moment-to-moment)

When electric tanks can feel worse

Tanks can disappoint when:

• You use up the stored hot water (the classic “someone had a long shower” scenario)
  • The tank is undersized for the household
  • The system has a tempering valve or mixing valve issue that reduces delivered temperature (which makes you turn the hot tap further, changing the mix and sometimes the feel)

In Australia, hot water storage is commonly kept hot enough to manage bacteria, but then tempered to a safer temperature for bathrooms (often around 50°C at the outlet for personal hygiene).
If your tempering valve is failing or blocked, it can absolutely affect shower comfort.

Reliability: Which System Is More Dependable in Sydney Homes?

Reliability isn’t just “which brand is better”. It’s about:

• How complex the system is
  • How sensitive it is to your home’s conditions
  • How easy it is to service quickly when something goes wrong

Reliability pros and cons: gas continuous flow

Common reliability strengths:
• No big tank to corrode internally in the same way
• You’re less likely to “run out” of hot water mid-shower due to storage depletion

Common reliability risks:
• More components: sensors, fan (in many models), ignition, electronics
• Minimum-flow and modulation behaviour can be finicky in certain setups
• If there’s no power, many units won’t operate
• Maintenance matters: blocked inlet filters and scale can cause erratic behaviour

Reliability pros and cons: electric storage tanks

Common reliability strengths:
• Simpler design (tank + heating element + thermostat + valvework)
• Often straightforward diagnosis and repair
• Doesn’t rely on gas ignition or modulation logic

Common reliability risks:
• Tanks can corrode over time (anode/tank condition matters)
• Elements and thermostats can fail
• If the tank is old, leaks can be sudden and messy
• Recovery time depends on element power and tank size (how fast it reheats after heavy use)

The “Two Showers at Once” Test: Where the Real Difference Shows Up

If you want to know which option is better for your household, ask this:

Do you regularly need to run:
• Two showers at once
• A shower + dishwasher
• A shower + washing machine
• A shower + kitchen tap

Continuous flow sizing reality (Sydney homes)

Continuous flow units have a maximum hot-water delivery capacity at a given temperature rise. If you exceed that with multiple outlets, the system has to compromise, usually by:
• reducing temperature
• reducing flow via control behaviour (varies by model/system design)
• delivering inconsistent temperature

That’s why “continuous flow” doesn’t automatically mean “unlimited performance”. It’s unlimited duration, not unlimited capacity.

Electric tank reality (Sydney homes)

A tank can deliver strong hot-water flow to multiple outlets (again, within plumbing limits), but it’s drawing down a fixed storage volume. So it tends to give:
• very consistent performance early
• then a noticeable drop once you’ve used most of the stored hot water

If your household has a predictable morning peak (two showers back-to-back every weekday), a correctly sized tank can be excellent. If your usage is unpredictable or heavy across multiple bathrooms, continuous flow (sized correctly) can be the better experience.

Quick Troubleshooting: What to Check Before You Replace Anything

If your shower pressure feels weak or inconsistent, these checks often save Sydney homeowners from replacing the wrong thing.

Five fast checks

• Shower head and hose: remove and clean, check for flow restrictors and debris
  • Mixer filter screens: many mixers trap grit; blocked screens reduce flow
  • Isolation valves: ensure they’re fully open (partially closed valves reduce flow)
  • Pressure reduction/limiting valve: if set low or failing, flow can suffer (and you’ll feel it most in showers)
  • Hot water inlet filters (continuous flow): clogged filters can cause poor performance and temperature swings

The Sydney-specific context

Because Sydney Water actively manages pressure in certain areas, some homes notice changes over time, especially if they were used to “very high pressure” previously.
If your neighbourhood has had pressure management works, it’s worth checking your internal valvework and fixtures before blaming the hot water unit.

Which Is Better for Shower Pressure Feel in Sydney?

Here’s the honest answer:

• If your home’s incoming water flow is strong and your plumbing is healthy, either system can give a great shower
  • If your main complaint is inconsistent temperature or “running out”, that points more toward system type/sizing
  • If your main complaint is weak flow, that points more toward plumbing, valves, or fixtures than the hot water unit itself

Choose gas continuous flow if you want

• Long showers without storage limits
  • A modern, space-saving setup (often wall-mounted)
  • Performance that scales well when sized correctly for multiple bathrooms

If you’re comparing brand options, explore Rinnai continuous flow hot water systems in Sydney as a starting point for common continuous flow configurations and upgrade paths.

Choose an electric storage tank if you want

• Simple operation and straightforward servicing
  • Stable early-shower performance
  • A good fit for predictable usage patterns (especially 1–2 bathroom homes)

For storage options and replacements, see Rheem electric storage hot water systems in Sydney to compare common sizes and setups.

Reliability Decision Guide: What Usually Suits Sydney Houses vs Units

Sydney houses

Many Sydney houses suit either option, but the best choice often depends on:
• number of bathrooms
• how often showers overlap
• where the system can be installed (venting, space, access)
• whether gas is already available and compliant

Sydney units and apartments

Units add extra constraints:
• strata rules around external installations
• limited space for tanks
• access for servicing and replacement
• potential restrictions on flueing/venting (for gas appliances)

A lot of unit owners lean toward electric storage for simplicity, but space-saving continuous flow can also be a strong option where installation conditions allow.

Common Questions Sydney Homeowners Ask

Does continuous flow reduce water pressure?

Continuous flow doesn’t usually reduce your home’s water pressure. What people feel as “less pressure” is often:
• reduced flow due to plumbing restrictions
• the unit being undersized for simultaneous use
• minimum-flow behaviour at very low-flow fixtures

Why did my shower pressure get worse after a new hot water system?

Most commonly:
• a valve was left partially closed during install
• an inlet filter or screen is blocked
• your pressure limiting valve is restricting flow
• the shower head is low-flow and your system/fixtures are now highlighting the limitation

Can I run two showers at once on continuous flow?

Yes, if it’s sized for it. “Continuous” means it can run for a long time, not that it can deliver unlimited hot water to unlimited outlets. The right model selection is everything.

Which is more reliable: continuous flow or electric tank?

Electric tanks tend to win on mechanical simplicity. Continuous flow can be highly reliable too, but it has more components and is more sensitive to flow/maintenance. Your best bet is a correctly sized system installed by a licensed professional, with sensible servicing.

Do I need a licensed tradesperson in NSW?

Yes. In NSW, plumbing, draining and gasfitting work requires the appropriate licence or certificate.
For peace of mind, you can check the NSW Government guidance on plumbing, draining and gasfitting work licensing requirements.

Practical Recommendations: Picking the Right System for Your Shower Goals

If you want the most “shower satisfaction” for Sydney conditions, choose based on your household pattern:

Strong, consistent showers matter most

• Fix any flow restrictions first (shower head, filters, valves)
  • If you have 2+ bathrooms and overlapping showers, lean toward continuous flow (properly sized)
  • If you have predictable usage and want simple reliability, a correctly sized electric tank can be excellent

Prefer reliability with low fuss

• Electric storage tanks are often the simplest path
  • Continuous flow reliability improves dramatically with:
  – correct sizing
  – clean inlet filters
  – appropriate servicing intervals

Choosing between electric hot water options?

If your household is leaning electric (especially for straightforward upgrades), this guide may help: best electric hot water systems for Sydney families

The Bottom Line for Sydney, NSW

For shower pressure feel, don’t get trapped by the wording. Most shower “pressure problems” are really flow problems.

• Gas continuous flow is often best for long showers and multi-bathroom homes, as long as it’s sized correctly
• Electric tanks are often best for simple, predictable households and straightforward reliability
• In Sydney, if your shower feels weak, check pressure/flow restrictions and valves before swapping systems, especially with regional pressure management in play