If you think the heater is spilling carbon monoxide
Energy Safe Victoria says to leave the house and get into fresh air, turn off all gas appliances, open windows and doors, and call Nurse-on-Call, see a doctor or dial 000 in an emergency. Leave the heater off until a qualified gasfitter has checked it over.
What the rules say
If you own and live in the home: the Victorian Government says existing homes don't have to switch gas space heating to electric. The 1 March 2027 gas rule for existing homes covers gas water heaters only.
If it's a rental: from 1 March 2027, when the heater in the main living area permanently fails and can't be repaired, the replacement must be an energy efficient electric system. That's a non-ducted unit that heats with a rating of 2 stars or above, or electric ducted heating with a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor of 3.2 or above. A working gas heater can stay.
There are exceptions where installing one would be unreasonable, such as an owners corporation rule or a refused heritage permit. Our rental rules guide goes through them.
What the checker doesn't cover
Whether the heater can be repaired is a call for a licensed gasfitter. Seeley's technician guide warns against repeatedly resetting a heater without finding out why it locked out, so don't keep restarting it. The checker also covers Victoria only.
What you can do, and what a gasfitter does
You can
- Turn the heater off, and leave it off if you suspect carbon monoxide.
- Note the brand, the model and any fault code showing.
- Check when it was last serviced. Energy Safe Victoria says every two years.
Leave to a licensed installer
- Diagnosing the fault and testing for carbon monoxide.
- Deciding whether it can be repaired, and removing it safely if not.
- Fitting a reverse cycle replacement, which in Victoria needs refrigerant, plumbing and electrical licences.
What we'd do
Where we'd start
Have a gas heating specialist tell you whether it can be repaired before you decide anything. If you own the home, the choice is then yours: repair it, replace it like for like, or switch to reverse cycle. If you're switching, ask whether the job could get a VEU discount through an accredited provider. VEU's air conditioner categories need a unit that both heats and cools.