Updated October 2026
Merricks Beach is a small, quiet settlement on the Western Port shore, mostly holiday shacks and modest houses among tea-tree, with a foreshore reserve and very little else. It empties out almost completely outside the holidays. Mornington Hot Water is a free referral service. We connect you with licensed hot water plumbers who cover Merricks Beach. We are not a plumbing business ourselves, and the referral costs you nothing.
Small houses, long gaps
Most systems here are small, because most houses are. A compact electric storage tank in a laundry or under the back verandah is the norm, and plenty of them are older than anyone can remember. The compliance plate is the quickest way to know.
The long gaps between visits are the problem. A tank sitting full for two months corrodes quietly, and the failure arrives on the first night of a stay. For a shack used a handful of weekends a year, a compact continuous flow unit removes the stored water entirely and copes better with a sudden full house.
Salt and exposure apply here as everywhere along this coast. Units on exposed walls lose their valves and fittings first, and a sheltered position is worth asking for when a system is replaced.
Repair it or replace it
If the tank itself is leaking, it is a replacement. Elements, thermostats and relief valves on a younger tank are often worth fixing, with repairs roughly $150 to $600 depending on the part. See hot water repairs and hot water replacement.
As a guide, electric storage like-for-like swaps run from around $800 to $2,500 installed. Gas storage and continuous flow sit around $1,200 to $3,500, and mains gas availability varies by address along this coast, with bottled LPG common. The cost guide has the detail.
Same-day replacement is often possible for common tank sizes when you get in touch in the morning.
Frequently asked questions
Is a small tank cheaper to replace?
Generally yes, and compact units are easier to handle in a tight laundry. Size it for your busiest weekend rather than your quietest one.
Our shack has no mains gas. What are the options?
Electric storage, a heat pump if there is outdoor space, or LPG continuous flow. The plumber will price the paths that suit your site.
Can work be arranged while we are away?
Often, with access organised. Ask for photos of the finished install.
Nearby, see Merricks and Balnarring Beach.