Heat pump hot water
Heat pump hot water systems draw heat from the air to heat your hot water. They only use about a quarter to a third of the electricity of a standard electric storage system.
Financial assistance is available for installing a heat pump or solar hot water system in certain circumstances.
Image courtesy of Quantum Eco Hot Water
How heat pump systems work
Heat pumps work like a refrigerator but the other way around.
Heat pump hot water systems draw heat from the environment to heat a refrigerant, which is converted into a gas. The gas is then compressed which generates the energy to heat your water. The refrigerant then expands back to a liquid and the cycle repeats itself, to heat the water to the required temperature.
The electricity is used to move the refrigerant around the system, not to heat the water directly.
To further improve the efficiency of the heat pump you can attach your heat pump hot water system to a solar booster.
Heat pumps can also heat your home. See Your home technical manual - Heating and cooling for information on how heat pumps can heat your home when connected to radiators, reverse cycle heaters, ducted heating or in-slab floor heating.
Benefits of a heat pump hot water system
The increased efficiency of heat pump systems, where installed in suitable locations, will compensate for the upfront costs. When installed in an appropriate location:
- The difference in cost will be paid back over the life of the system as you'll spend less on heating water.
- A heat pump may be the next best choice for heating hot water if you can't have a solar hot water system.
- Heat pumps use electricity efficiently and can heat your water day and night.
- Heat pumps usually have a smaller storage tank than solar hot water systems.
- A more efficient hot water system can increase the value of your home.
- You'll reduce the amount of greenhouse gases your home produces.
Getting the most out of a heat pump hot water system
Talk to a few different hot water system suppliers to determine whether you live in an area suitable for heat pumps and for help in choosing the best hot water system for your needs.
If you can find ways to save water, you could save money by buying a smaller system than you would have otherwise needed.
More information
See these resources about hot water systems:
Rebates & assistance
As a home owner, renter or landlord, you could be eligible for financial assistance and home assessments to help you start saving energy and water sooner.
Find out about government rebates and assistance.
Why do it?
- Reduce the amount of electricity you need to heat water
- Reduce your energy use
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by heating water
Did you know?
When you turn on a hot tap, the first litre or so was hot but has cooled. If you have an electric system and use the hot tap 10 times a day, you could be generating 200 kg of greenhouse gas each year.
You can save by using the cold tap when you don't need hot water. You can save more by switching to a heat pump or solar hot water system.
What can I do?
Take Action
Page last modified: 25 Feb 2010