Heat Pump Hot Water Comparison Guide
Heat pump hot water systems are available in a wide range of configurations, efficiencies, warranties and price levels. Choosing the right system depends on household size, installation location, budget, expected length of ownership, noise considerations and the level of manufacturer support required.
To make the decision easier, SA Hot Water groups systems into three general categories: Good Value, Mid Range and Premium.
Good Value
For customers wanting an efficient heat pump at a competitive initial purchase price. Many modern R290 systems can still offer very good efficiency and warranty coverage.
Mid Range
Generally offers a stronger balance of purchase price, build quality, warranty, efficiency, features and manufacturer support. Often the best fit for the average homeowner.
Premium
Higher-end systems may offer split-system flexibility, stainless-steel tanks, very low noise, advanced refrigerant technology, higher recovery rates and/or longer warranty protection.
Heat Pump Comparison
| Brand / System | Type | Tank | Refrigerant | Published COP* | Noise* | Main Domestic Warranty | Category | SA Hot Water Positioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midea 280L | All-in-one | 280L | Model dependent | — | — | Tank 5 yr; compressor 3 yr; other components 1 yr | Good Value | Value option |
| Ecogenica / Econova | All-in-one / split | Various | Model dependent | Model dependent | Model dependent | Varies by model | Good Value | Value option |
| iStore 180 R290 | All-in-one | 180L | R290 | Model specific | Low-noise design | 5 yr comprehensive parts & labour | Good Value | Strong value for smaller households |
| iStore 270 R290 | All-in-one | 270L | R290 | Approx. 4.82 @ 20°C | Approx. ≤46.6 dB @ 1m | 5 yr comprehensive parts & labour | Good Value | Strong value family system |
| Apricus 260 R290 | All-in-one | 260L | R290 | Approx. 4.13 | Approx. 43 dBA | 6 yr parts & labour | Good Value | Strong warranty and value |
| EvoHeat EVO270-E | All-in-one | 270L | R290 | Approx. 4.7 @ 20°C | Approx. 46 dBA | Tank 6 yr; compressor and parts 5 yr; labour conditions apply | Mid Range | Quality mid-range option |
| Quantum 270 | All-in-one | 270L | R290 | Approx. 4.53 @ 20°C | Approx. 48 dB | Tank 5 yr; electrical / refrigeration 2 yr | Mid Range | Established mid-range option |
| Rinnai Enviroflo A 180 | All-in-one | 180L | Model dependent | — | — | Coverage varies by component | Mid Range | Established manufacturer |
| Rinnai Enviroflo 265 | All-in-one | 265L | Model dependent | — | — | Coverage varies by component | Mid Range | Established manufacturer |
| Stiebel Eltron SHP-O 200 | All-in-one | 200L | R290 | Approx. 4.27 | Approx. 40.7 dB @ 3m | Cylinder / condenser 7 yr parts; refrigeration 5 yr | Mid Range | Quality European option |
| Stiebel Eltron SHP-O 300 | All-in-one | 300L | R290 | Approx. 4.21 | Approx. 40.7 dB @ 3m | Cylinder / condenser 7 yr parts; refrigeration 5 yr | Mid Range | Quality European option |
| Rheem AmbiPower MDc-180 | All-in-one | 180L | R513a | Approx. 4.5 | — | Cylinder 7 yr supply; sealed system 3 yr; conditions apply | Mid Range | Rheem option for smaller households |
| Rheem Ambiheat HDc270 | All-in-one | 270L | R513a | Approx. 4.5 | Approx. 48 dBA | Cylinder 10 yr supply; sealed system 3 yr; conditions apply | Mid Range | Established Rheem option |
| Rheem AmbiPower 280e Wi-Fi | All-in-one | 280L VE | R290 | High-efficiency current generation | — | Cylinder 10 yr supply; other coverage varies by component | Mid Range | Preferred Rheem all-in-one |
| Rheem AmbiPower 5kW Split VE | Split | 315L VE | R290 | Approx. 4.5 | — | Cylinder 10 yr; component and labour conditions apply | Premium | Premium Rheem split |
| Rheem AmbiPower 5kW Split SS | Split | 325L Stainless Steel | R290 | Approx. 4.5 | — | Component-specific Rheem warranty | Premium | Premium Rheem stainless-steel split |
| Rinnai Enviroflo S 5kW Split | Split | 250 / 315L | R290 | High-output split | Model dependent | Current component-specific warranty | Premium | Premium split-system option |
| Rinnai Enviroflo S 7kW Split | Split | 250 / 315 / 400L | R290 | High recovery | Approx. 45–52 dBA | Current component-specific warranty | Premium | Large household / high demand |
| Sanden Eco Plus | Split | 160–315L SS options | R744 CO₂ | Up to approx. 5.96* | Approx. 37 dB @ 1m | Up to 10 yr heat-pump coverage; SS tank up to 15 yr pro-rata depending system | Premium | Ultra-quiet premium system |
| Reclaim Energy CO₂ | Split | Various | R744 CO₂ | Around 6 under applicable test conditions* | Around 37 dB on applicable models | Up to 10 yr heat-pump warranty and long tank warranties depending configuration | Premium | High-efficiency premium CO₂ system |
Which Heat Pump May Suit You?
| Good value for money | iStore, Apricus, Midea, selected Ecogenica / Econova |
| Balance of price and quality | EvoHeat, Quantum, Rinnai, Rheem |
| Established manufacturer | Rheem, Rinnai, Stiebel Eltron |
| Preferred Rheem all-in-one | Rheem AmbiPower 280e Wi-Fi |
| Premium Rheem split | Rheem AmbiPower 315 VE Split |
| Premium Rheem stainless steel | Rheem AmbiPower 325 SS Split |
| Large household / high recovery | Rheem Split, Rinnai Enviroflo S5 / S7 |
| Very quiet premium system | Sanden Eco Plus |
| Premium CO₂ technology | Sanden and Reclaim Energy |
| Long-term premium ownership | Sanden, Reclaim Energy, Rheem Stainless Steel Split |
Why Heat Pumps Can Vary So Much in Price
Heat pumps may look similar, but they are not all the same. Differences can include compressor technology, refrigerant, energy efficiency, recovery rate, noise levels, storage tank construction, backup heating, controls, warranty periods, labour coverage, availability of spare parts and manufacturer service support.
A lower purchase price does not necessarily mean a lower lifetime cost, while the most expensive system is not necessarily required for every household.
Need Help Choosing the Right Heat Pump?
SA Hot Water can assess your existing hot water system and recommend suitable Good Value, Mid Range and Premium options for your property.
To help us provide the most accurate recommendation, please send:
- Your name and property address
- Photos of the existing hot water system
- Photos showing the surrounding installation area
- A photo of the electrical switchboard where possible
- The number of people normally living at the property
Important Information
*Published efficiency and noise figures may be measured under different manufacturer test conditions. They should therefore be used as a general guide rather than an exact like-for-like comparison.
Warranty periods can vary between the storage cylinder, compressor, refrigeration system, electronic components and labour. Always refer to the current manufacturer's warranty conditions before purchasing.
Product ranges, specifications, rebates, STCs and availability can change. The most suitable heat pump will depend on household size, available installation area, electrical supply, existing plumbing, noise considerations, budget and expected length of ownership.
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Heat Pump Hot Water – Estimated Payback Period
One of the most common questions we are asked is: “How long will a heat pump take to pay for itself?”
The answer depends on the type of heat pump selected, household hot water usage, electricity tariff, available solar generation, installation cost and what type of hot water system is being replaced.
As a general guide, Good Value systems usually provide the fastest financial payback, while Mid Range and Premium systems may offer additional benefits such as improved warranty, quieter operation, premium tank construction, manufacturer support and longer-term ownership value.
Indicative Payback by Heat Pump Category
Good Value
Generally the fastest full-cost payback due to the lower initial purchase price.
Mid Range
A balance between initial cost, efficiency, warranty, build quality and manufacturer support.
Premium
Higher purchase price, but often chosen for premium construction, low noise, longer warranties and long-term ownership.
| Category | Example Installed Cost | Estimated Annual Heat Pump Electricity | Estimated Annual Saving | Approx. Full-Cost Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Value | $3,500–$4,500 | Approx. 1,000 kWh | Approx. $1,250 per year | Approx. 2.8–3.6 years |
| Mid Range | $4,500–$6,500 | Approx. 890 kWh | Approx. $1,300 per year | Approx. 3.5–5.0 years |
| Premium | $6,590–$8,500 | Approx. 730 kWh | Approx. $1,370 per year | Approx. 4.8–6.2 years |
A Better Way to Look at Payback
For many homeowners, the most meaningful calculation is not the full price of the heat pump. It is the additional cost compared with replacing the existing system with a conventional electric hot water service.
If a standard electric hot water replacement would cost approximately $2,500 installed, the additional investment in a heat pump may be recovered much sooner through lower electricity usage.
| Category | Example Heat Pump Cost | Extra Cost Over $2,500 Electric Replacement | Estimated Annual Saving | Approx. Incremental Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Value | $4,000 | $1,500 | Approx. $1,250 | Approx. 1.2 years |
| Mid Range | $5,500 | $3,000 | Approx. $1,300 | Approx. 2.3 years |
| Premium | $7,500 | $5,000 | Approx. $1,370 | Approx. 3.6 years |
What Does This Mean for Customers?
Good Value systems generally provide the fastest financial return because the initial purchase price is lower.
Mid Range systems may take slightly longer to recover the initial cost, but often provide a better balance of warranty, build quality, efficiency and manufacturer support.
Premium systems are not normally purchased for the shortest payback period alone. Customers may also be paying for quieter operation, stainless-steel tank construction, split-system flexibility, premium refrigerant technology, longer warranties and potentially longer service life.
Solar PV Can Reduce Running Costs Further
If a heat pump is programmed to operate during the middle of the day, it may be able to use surplus rooftop solar instead of purchasing electricity from the grid.
This can significantly reduce the effective cost of heating water and may improve the overall financial benefit of installing a heat pump.
For homes with solar, the best operating strategy is often to schedule the heat pump to run during periods of strong solar production, subject to the manufacturer's operating requirements and the household's hot water usage.
Example Assumptions Used in These Calculations
- Conventional electric hot water energy use: approximately 4,000 kWh per year
- Electricity cost used for example calculation: approximately 42 cents per kWh
- Good Value heat pump efficiency assumption: approximately COP 4.0
- Mid Range heat pump efficiency assumption: approximately COP 4.5
- Premium heat pump efficiency assumption: approximately COP 5.5
- Actual household usage and system performance will vary
Important Disclaimer
The figures shown above are indicative examples only and are not a guaranteed saving or payback period.
Actual results will vary depending on household hot water usage, electricity tariff, climate, ambient temperature, incoming water temperature, heat pump model, system efficiency, installation conditions, operating settings, solar PV contribution and the cost of the alternative hot water system being replaced.
Published COP figures from different manufacturers may also be based on different testing conditions and should not be treated as exact like-for-like comparisons.
SA Hot Water recommends obtaining a site-specific quotation and product recommendation before making a final purchasing decision.
Heat Pump Hot Water Payback Calculator
Estimate the annual running cost and approximate payback period for changing from electric or natural gas hot water to a heat pump.
If natural gas is used only for hot water and the gas account will be closed completely, this calculator can also include the annual gas supply/service charge that may be eliminated.
Estimated Result
| Current energy usage cost | $0/year |
|---|---|
| Annual gas supply charge avoided | $0/year |
| Estimated useful hot-water heat demand | 0 kWh-thermal/year |
| Estimated heat pump electricity use | 0 kWh/year |
| Effective heat pump electricity rate after solar | 0 c/kWh |
| Net heat pump project cost | $0 |
| Extra investment versus alternative replacement | $0 |
| Full project payback | — |
| Estimated 10-year net benefit* | $0 |
Important Disclaimer
This calculator provides indicative estimates only and does not guarantee energy savings, running costs or payback periods.
Natural gas tariffs can include daily supply charges, stepped/block usage rates and retailer-specific pricing. Customers should use the actual charges shown on their gas bill. The gas supply charge is treated as a saving only where natural gas is completely removed and the customer no longer requires a gas account for any other appliance.
Gas appliance efficiency varies with appliance type, age, usage patterns and standing losses. Heat pump performance also varies with climate, incoming water temperature, installation conditions, operating settings, backup-element use and actual COP.
Solar savings depend on the amount of surplus PV genuinely available when the heat pump operates. Self-consumed solar is valued at the entered feed-in tariff rather than being treated as completely free.
Gas disconnection, meter removal and plumbing costs may apply and should be confirmed for the individual property. Product specifications, energy tariffs, STCs, rebates and incentives can change.
SA Hot Water recommends a site-specific assessment and quotation before making a final purchasing decision.