Heat Pump Hot Water.Done Right.

How heat pump hot water works

A heat pump takes heat from the air around the outdoor unit and moves it into the water in the tank using a compressor and refrigerant, much as a fridge does in reverse. It uses less electricity than a standard electric element for the same amount of hot water. The trade-off is an outdoor unit that needs airflow, a level base and some tolerance for noise.

Is a heat pump right for your home

Heat pumps suit homes with space outside for the unit and a switchboard that can handle the supply. They suit households that want to cut running costs compared with a standard electric tank, or that want to move away from gas. They are a harder fit in a very tight courtyard, or where the only space for the unit is next to a bedroom window or a neighbour's boundary.

Where the unit goes

Place the outdoor unit with clear space around it for airflow and service access, on a level base, away from bedroom windows and boundary fences where possible. The tank also needs a position with a drain for the relief valve. Ask the supplier for the noise rating of the model, and check council rules about noise from household equipment.

Climate, winter and performance

Heat pumps work most efficiently in mild air, and they work harder in cold weather. Some models switch to a backup element in very cold conditions. Geelong and Melbourne winters are milder than alpine areas, but it is still worth asking the supplier how the model performs on a frosty morning, and whether it has a defrost cycle.

Power, tariffs and sizing

Tank size depends on how many people live in the home and when they use hot water. Running cost depends on your electricity tariff and on whether the unit can heat when power is cheaper or when your solar panels are producing. Tell the installer if you have solar panels or an off-peak tariff, since it may change the best settings.

What the plumber does and what the electrician does

The plumber connects the water, the pressure and temperature relief valve, the drain and any tempering valve. A licensed electrician connects the power, and some homes need a new circuit or a switchboard upgrade. Ask who handles each part, and who you call if something is wrong after the job.

Maintenance

Keep the area around the outdoor unit clear of leaves and stored items, and keep any air filter clean as the maker advises. Test the relief valve as the manual recommends, and book a service at the interval the maker states. Keep the compliance certificate and warranty paperwork together.

Rebates and discounts

Several Victorian programs may help with the cost of a hot water upgrade, and each has its own eligibility rules that change over time. The Victorian Energy Upgrades program lists hot water system discounts at energy.vic.gov.au, and Solar Victoria publishes its hot water rebate and eligibility checklist at solar.vic.gov.au. Read the current terms on those official sites before you sign, and ask your installer which program, if any, applies to your home. We do not promise any discount or approval.

Questions people ask about heat pump hot water

Is a heat pump noisy?

The outdoor unit has a fan and compressor, so you will hear it. Noise ratings differ by model, and position matters more than most people expect.

Will it run out of hot water?

A correctly sized tank should supply a household through the day. A very large wash or several long showers back to back can empty it, and recovery takes time. Tell the installer about your peak use.

Can I run it on solar panels?

Many homes with solar panels time the heat pump to run when the panels are producing. Ask whether the model can be timed or controlled this way.

Do I need a new electrical circuit?

Some installations do, and some can use the existing circuit. A licensed electrician should check the switchboard and the load.

What happens during a power cut?

Like any electric tank, a heat pump will not heat without power, though the tank holds hot water for some time. Use the hot water carefully and do not drain the tank unless you have to.

Where the unit goes and how it sounds

A heat pump has an outdoor-style fan and compressor, so it makes some noise and needs airflow around it. Placement matters: away from bedroom windows, with clearance for air, and with a way to drain condensate. Tell the plumber which rooms are close, and ask for the sound rating of the model.

Heat pumps work best in spaces that allow free air movement. A cramped side passage can reduce performance and make servicing hard.

Cold mornings, backup elements and sizing

Heat pumps work in cool weather, but performance varies with the model and the air temperature. Many have a backup element for very cold conditions or high demand. Ask how the unit behaves on a cold Geelong morning and how the backup is controlled.

Size the tank to your household. A tank that is too small runs the backup more often, which raises running costs.

Installation day and what you will need to do

A heat pump install usually involves removing the old unit, positioning the new tank or outdoor unit, connecting hot and cold water, adding a tempering valve, connecting power and testing. Expect the hot water to be off for part of the day. Clear access to the old unit, the switchboard and the new location saves time. Ask the electrician and plumber whether they will work together on the same day, and who is responsible for the power connection.

Ask how to read the controls, how to set a timer and what a fault code means. Keep the manual, warranty and commissioning notes. Ask when the first service is due and what it involves.

Guides worth reading

• Signs Your Hot Water System Needs Replacing

Related plumbing services

• Hot Water Systems: Hot water repairs and replacement for gas, electric, heat pump and solar systems.
• Gas Hot Water Systems: Gas storage and continuous flow hot water systems repaired, serviced and installed.
• Electric Hot Water Systems: Electric storage hot water repaired and replaced, including element and thermostat faults.
• Solar Hot Water: Solar hot water repairs, servicing and plumbing for roof and tank systems.
• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.