The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Hot Water Heat Pumps

Why are hot water heat pump systems different?

Hot water heat pumps, also known as “air source heat pumps”, operate very differently to other water heating systems. Where traditional electric storage tank systems work in a similar way to a kettle, using electricity alone to power the heat element, hot water heat pumps work more like a reverse cycle air conditioner when it’s in heating mode, or like a refrigerator in reverse, extracting heat from the outside air and using a refrigeration cycle and heat exchange system to heat the water in the tank. 

In essence, a heat pump system runs on solar power, as the warm air outside is heated by the sun. Electricity is only used to power the evaporator fan and compressor, significantly reducing the amount of energy it takes to heat water in the tank.

How do heat pump hot water systems work?

The following four-step process briefly sums up how heat pump systems operate and explains how they are able to heat your water so efficiently:

1. The surrounding air is pulled into the heat pump system’s evaporator
2. The warm air mixes with a special refrigerant inside which turns it to gas
3. The gas is pumped through the compressor then on to the condenser
4. This process generates heat and acts as a heat exchanger, circulating it through the system.

The ability to utilise a passive element such as the outside air allows heat pump systems to reduce their reliance on electricity and operate far more efficiently than traditional hot water systems. However, not all systems are equal! When choosing the right one for you, be sure to ask about the recovery rate of the heat pump, as this is how fast your unit will heat the next batch of water. A high quality pump such as a Reclaim 180L system will actually deliver more hot water faster than a less expensive Medea 360L system, even though its tank is half the size. This means you’re less likely to run out of hot water and is a great example of the long-term value of buying a quality system over a cheaper counterpart.

What type of heat pump hot water systems are available?

There are essentially two types of heat pump hot water systems: integrated systems and split systems. In an integrated system the heat pump’s major components (including evaporator, fan, compressor and condenser) are located at the top of the storage cylinder. 

Split systems on the other hand are two separate units, much like a split system air conditioner, with the evaporator, fan and compressor connected to the storage tank via refrigerant pipes. In addition, there are also a range of different heat pump sizes available, so be sure to discuss your needs with your installer so that you get the best size for your family and climate.

How energy efficient are heat pump systems?

Heat pump systems use significantly less power than traditional hot water systems, making them a great choice for those looking to minimise their environmental footprint. In a traditional electric hot water system, electricity is used to heat the water, while a heat pump system uses electricity only to power the fan and compressor. This slashes the amount of electricity required, with hot water heat pump systems typically using 60 to 75 per cent less electricity than a conventional system.

As water heating accounts for around a quarter of energy use in the average Aussie home, making the switch to a heat pump system is an important step to improving the energy efficiency in your household. Of course, if you have solar panels installed too, you will reduce your home’s carbon footprint and electricity bills even more.

What are the key benefits of heat pump systems?

With their eco-friendly elements, advanced operating technology and durability, hot water heat pump systems bring many benefits, making them a smart choice for households across Australia. The key benefits include:

Reduced running costs: There’s no doubt the energy efficiency of hot water heat pump systems is good for the planet, but it will also save you plenty of money over time too. Plus, if you have solar panels installed, the savings will be amplified. With the rising cost of electricity, choosing energy efficient appliances for your home is more important than ever and can be a major factor in stretching your budget further. 

Low maintenance: When you choose a quality system and have it installed by a professional, hot water heat pumps require very little maintenance. General checks on the elements can be completed by the homeowner as needed, with a scheduled maintenance check by a professional only needed every 3 to 4 years.

Longer lasting: The simplified operating process and smart design features give quality hot water heat pumps a longer lifespan than traditional systems. In fact, a quality heat pump hot water unit that is installed and operated correctly should last you upwards of 20 years.

Less carbon emissions: Heat pump units use around 75% less power to run than standard electric or gas hot water systems as they utilise the surrounding air to heat water, only using electricity to operate the internal parts. With heating water accounting for around 25% of your home’s energy usage, installing a heat pump system will significantly reduce your carbon emissions and your household’s environmental footprint.

What are the drawbacks?

While heat pumps are a fantastic choice for most Australians, like anything, there are some drawbacks in certain situations. These include:

Upfront cost can be higher: When you purchase a quality hot water heat pump system, it is likely that the upfront purchase price will be higher than a standard hot water unit. However, keep in mind that the long-term savings of using less energy will more than make up for the extra spent upfront.

May not operate as effectively in cold weather: There are certain types of heat pump systems that can struggle to operate at maximum efficiency in cold weather, and in some climates the internal components can even become damaged. There are upgrades that can be added to work around this issue, and your expert installer can discuss the options that will best suit your needs before you buy.

Installation process is complicated: The installation of heat pump systems is a little more complicated than your standard hot water unit, as the positioning of the unit and surrounding climate both play an important role in how effectively the system works. For this reason, it’s essential to only trust a qualified and registered professional to install your hot water heat pump system. 

Noise levels can be an issue: While in operation, certain hot water heat pump systems can be noisy. This is another reason why strategic positioning during installation is important. Where possible, avoid placing the external units outside bedroom windows or in a position that will impact your neighbours.

Are heat pump hot water systems expensive?

The cost of a hot water heat pump system will vary significantly, depending on the make, model, brand and quality of the unit. Recently, we have seen a spike in the number of “free” or “cheap” hot water heat pump units in the market, but in our experience, these offers are too good to be true. The problem with these cheap offers is that the systems are often poor quality, and are prone to breaking down sooner. On top of this, they generally don’t work as well, so you are not getting the maximum efficiency from your heat pump unit, which means the operating costs are higher, and you won’t enjoy the same savings as you would from a quality unit. 

So, with this in mind, be sure to consider the bigger picture when choosing your unit. While you might pay less for “cheap” systems, you may find yourself paying more in the long run once you factor in the cost of operation, repairs, or even a full replacement of the system.