Heat pump hot water buying guide

There is no independent test that names the "best" heat pump in Australia. CHOICE says it doesn't have the facilities to test them (CHOICE), and heat pumps don't yet carry a government energy rating label (energy.gov.au). So the best heat pump is the one that suits your house, climate and tariff, installed properly. This checklist gets you there.

1. What size tank do I need?

The Victorian Government recommends 150 to 225 litres for 1 to 2 bedrooms, 225 to 300 litres for 3 bedrooms and more than 300 litres for 4 or more. Go up if you will run it on a timer. Full detail in the size guide.

2. Will it cope with my climate?

Find your heat pump zone on the Clean Energy Regulator's postcode list (zones 1 to 5, with 5 the coldest). In a cold area, look for a model that runs on the heat pump alone to at least -5°C, as the ACT Government advises for Canberra. See cold climates.

3. How efficient is it?

With no energy label yet, Your Home suggests using the number of STCs on the Clean Energy Regulator register as "a relatively fair way to compare the efficiency of heat pump hot water systems for your climate zone" (Your Home). Compare models on their figure for your zone. Brochure COP figures are measured under different conditions, so are less useful for comparison.

4. How loud is it, and where will it go?

Ask for the noise figure and how it was measured, then decide the spot: away from bedrooms and neighbours' windows, with good airflow. See the noise guide and all-in-one vs split.

5. Does it have a timer or solar mode?

A timer lets you run it on rooftop solar, a free midday window or off-peak power. In Victoria a timer or solar PV link is required for the Solar Homes rebate (Solar Victoria). Also check whether it can run on a controlled load tariff if you plan to use one. See solar and off-peak timing.

6. What does the warranty cover?

Warranties usually split the tank (longer) from the heat pump and refrigeration parts (shorter), and labour from parts. Your Home says tank warranties are typically 5 to 10 years for glass-lined steel and 10 to 15 years for stainless steel. VEU requires at least 5 years (VEU buyers guide), and Solar Victoria's list needs a five-year comprehensive product warranty. Read the terms for water quality exclusions and service requirements. The brand overview lists each maker's headline warranty.

7. Is the exact model eligible for my rebates?

Check the model number on the CER register for STCs, and on the state list for the program you are claiming. Model names on the register can differ from marketing names. See how to check a model is eligible.

And the installer?

Installation quality matters as much as the product. Building Commission NSW found many heat pump installations under the NSW scheme didn't comply with standards or manufacturer instructions (Building Commission NSW). Use the installer checklist.

What about refrigerant?

Your Home lists R290 (propane) and R744 (CO2) as natural refrigerants with a global warming potential of 3 and 1, against 1,430 for R134a and 629 for R513A. Victoria's Solar Homes list requires a refrigerant GWP below 700. Among the brands in my overview, most integrated models use R290, and the split systems from Sanden, Reclaim Energy and Thermann use CO2.

Are new standards coming?

Yes. Heat pumps currently have no minimum energy performance standard or energy rating label. Federal energy ministers approved new regulation in December 2025: minimum standards first, then labelling, which the review says is likely to be 2028 (Energy Rating).

Buying guides

• Brand overviewHeat pump hot water brands in Australia: a factual overviewA factual overview of heat pump hot water brands sold in Australia: configuration, refrigerant, tank sizes, stated operating range and warranty, from each maker's own site.
• Rebate-eligible product listsHow to check a heat pump is rebate eligibleWhere to check that a heat pump hot water model is eligible for STCs and state discounts: the Clean Energy Regulator register and the Victorian and NSW product lists.
• Installer checklistHeat pump hot water installer checklistQuestions to ask a heat pump hot water installer, the licences and certificates you should get, and the quote details that stop surprises.