Wetback Hot Water Cylinders
Efficient, eco-friendly water heating with a wetback system using your wood-burning fireplace or stove.
Free Heat from Your Fireplace
A wetback hot water system captures excess heat from your wood burner to heat water at no extra energy cost.
Lower Power Bills
By reducing reliance on electricity or gas, wetback hot water systems help cut household energy expenses year-round.
Reliable Backup Heating
Wetback systems work alongside electric or gas boosters, ensuring hot water even when the fire isn’t in use.
Wetback Overview & Accessing Common Problems
A wetback water heating system uses the heat from a woodburning fireplace or stove to heat water in a storage tank, providing an efficient and eco-friendly way to heat your home’s hot water. This system is perfect for those who already have a wood fire heating system installed in their home.
Wetback hot water cylinders commonly experience issues related to overheating, wear, and installation complexity, with the most frequent problems including water boiling or excessive pressure when the fire is run too hot, relief valves discharging regularly, and inconsistent water temperatures that can pose scalding risks if a tempering valve is not fitted. Because wetbacks rely on gravity circulation, poor pipe gradients, air locks, or incorrect installation can cause circulation failure and overheating, while constant high operating temperatures accelerate corrosion of the internal coil, sacrificial anode, and valves, shortening the cylinder’s lifespan. In colder areas, exposed pipework can freeze and burst, and older or non-compliant installations may create safety, insurance, or resale issues, particularly when systems have been retrofitted or not upgraded to current standards.
Using a wetback water heating system is an efficient and eco-friendly way to heat your home’s water with your existing wood fire.
Best Selling Wetback Hot Water Cylinders
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The price listed is for supply only. For supply & installation please call us on 0800 234 800 or get an online quote here.
$2,404.37 Incl GST
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The price listed is for supply only. For supply & installation please call us on 0800 234 800 or get an online quote here.
$2,738.92 Incl GST
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The price listed is for supply only. For supply & installation please call us on 0800 234 800 or get an online quote here.
$3,655.16 Incl GST
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The price listed is for supply only. For supply & installation please call us on 0800 234 800 or get an online quote here.
$4,726.70 Incl GST
How Wetback Cylinders Work
A wetback hot water system is a traditional method of heating water that is still popular in many New Zealand homes, especially those in colder climates. These systems use a heat exchanger, also known as a “wetback,” to transfer heat from an external heat source such as a fireplace to the water stored in the cylinder.
The heat exchanger works by allowing hot water or steam from the heat source to flow through the coils, transferring heat to the water stored in the cylinder. This heats the water, saving on electricity and is great for high demand households with high water usage. It’s a cost-effective way to heat water, especially when combined with an existing heating system.
Wetback hot water cylinders are typically used in properties to supplement an existing water heating system. This is especially effective in colder climates or winter where a lot of space heating is used. Wood fires or burners are one of the most common types of space heating in New Zealand homes due to the low-cost of firewood, and by using a wet back system, homeowners can reduce their reliance on electricity or gas and enjoy a more sustainable and cost-effective hot water solution.
A wetback system heats water using your wood fire, saving electricity and providing a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution.
Wetback Hot Water FAQ
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A wetback is a heat exchanger fitted to a wood burner that uses the fire’s heat to warm your cylinder water. It’s popular in rural NZ homes and can significantly cut electricity costs in winter — working alongside your existing electric hot water cylinder to reduce how hard your element needs to work. The Rheem Low Pressure Copper Wetback Cylinder is a reliable and well-suited option for most setups.
