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Best Hot Water Systems
Nothing can sour your day quite like a shower turning cold, which is why you want a reliable hot water system that’s suited to your household. We go through what to consider when looking for a water heater, including your water use, energy efficiency, costs, and more. Continue reading...
Best Hot Water System
With its 270 litre hot water storage capacity, the EVO270 is a prime pick for households with up to six people. It's also listed as an energy efficient water heater by the Clean Energy Regulator, a government body responsible for reducing carbon emissions in Australia.
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.8 (387)
- Value for Money4.5 (380)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.7 (324)
- Noise Level4.2 (396)
- Temperature Consistency4.8 (349)
- Heating Speed4.7 (355)
- TypeStorage
- Award Winner 2022
Joolca HOTTAP
· includes 5 listingsWith just the flick of a switch, the Joolca HOTTAP gives you hot water at your desired temperature wherever you are.
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.6 (254)
- Value for Money4.5 (255)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.7 (241)
- Noise Level4.3 (190)
- Temperature Consistency4.5 (208)
- Heating Speed4.6 (211)
- Award Winner 2022
Dux Prodigy 4
· includes 5 listingsWith a 4.2 star energy rating and new burner technology that means faster recovery rates, the Dux Prodigy 4 lets you have reliable hot water when you need it - all without hiking up your power bill.
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.8 (123)
- Value for Money4.8 (133)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.7 (103)
- Noise Level4.8 (116)
- Temperature Consistency4.9 (119)
- Heating Speed4.8 (118)
Hydrotherm
· includes 4 listingsUsing heat pump technology, the Hydrotherm Hot Water System lets a large household have hot water up to 70°C without breaking the bank.
Price (RRP) $1,495.00 to $1,795.00
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.7 (135)
- Value for Money4.7 (138)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.7 (123)
- Noise Level3.9 (133)
- Temperature Consistency4.7 (124)
- Heating Speed4.5 (126)
- Award Winner 2022
- 2021
iStore Air to Energy
· includes 2 listingsAs an alternative to using gas or electricity, the innovative iStore Air to Energy uses compressor technology to extract heat energy from the air and store it for using later.
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.7 (35)
- Value for Money4.7 (35)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.8 (32)
- Noise Level4.4 (36)
- Temperature Consistency4.9 (35)
- Heating Speed4.8 (36)
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Dux Proflo
· includes 28 listingsLatest review: I was quoted buy Bunnings / Dux for a 315l twin element pro flo. $2473 fully installed by one of their plumbing partners. I always get multiple quotes from business when large amounts are involved.
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.7 (313)
- Value for Money4.6 (321)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.7 (266)
- Noise Level4.8 (264)
- Temperature Consistency4.8 (301)
- Heating Speed4.7 (292)
- Award Winner 2021
Dux Always Hot Continuous Flow
· includes 20 listingsLatest review: Most of the time the unit performs well. Except when opening the hot water tap away from the unit, it takes a lot of wait time to get hot water. If you are moving from gas tank into continuous flow
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.6 (40)
- Value for Money4.3 (40)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.5 (32)
- Noise Level4.7 (40)
- Temperature Consistency4.4 (35)
- Heating Speed4.0 (35)
Sanden Eco Heat Pump
Latest review: I bought Sanden hot water heat pump in March 2021 from Pure Electric. Very happy with it. Its energy efficient and effective. Great using my solar power to make hot water, rather than the old gas
- Review Summary
- Build Quality3.7 (44)
- Value for Money3.3 (43)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.9 (40)
- Noise Level4.5 (42)
- Temperature Consistency4.3 (35)
- Heating Speed4.5 (36)
Envirosun
· includes 16 listingsEnvirosun solar hot water systems use durable hot water tanks and high-density thermal insulation, making them built to last and able to deliver hot water to your household faster.
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.1 (7)
- Value for Money3.4 (7)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.0 (7)
- Noise Level5.0 (6)
- Temperature Consistency4.4 (7)
- Heating Speed4.1 (7)
Neopower Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water
With 80% collector efficiency and a frost tolerance of up to -15°C, the Neopower Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water System can reliably provide you with heated water around the home.
- Review Summary
- Build Quality5.0 (10)
- Value for Money4.9 (9)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 5.0 (9)
- Noise Level4.9 (9)
- Temperature Consistency5.0 (9)
- Heating Speed4.9 (9)
Chromagen Midea 170L Heat Pump
Latest review: Our Midera 170L brand new hot water pump is extremely loud. It’s so bad we shut our bedroom windows and it still keeps us awake through the night. It’s like a loud humming noise that is con
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.1 (52)
- Value for Money3.1 (55)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.4 (50)
- Noise Level3.3 (51)
- Temperature Consistency3.6 (46)
- Heating Speed3.4 (47)
- TypeStorage
- Dimensions 1580 x 568 x 568 mm
Reclaim Energy CO2 Heat Pump Hot Water System
Latest review: Installed by Ureco in November 2021 it has proved to very efficient and very quiet. The timer runs it during the day when my solar panels are producing so my hot water is
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.9 (46)
- Value for Money4.6 (45)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.8 (39)
- Noise Level4.9 (45)
- Temperature Consistency4.9 (45)
- Heating Speed5.0 (43)
Apricus Solar Hot Water System
· includes 3 listingsDesigned for a tough Aussie climate, the Apricus Solar Hot Water System delivers energy savings while resisting corrosion and chemical damage.
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Build Quality3.4 (50)
- Value for Money3.3 (49)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.6 (44)
- Noise Level4.1 (38)
- Temperature Consistency3.6 (41)
- Heating Speed3.7 (41)
Vulcan Freeloader Gas Hot Water System
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: We are about to replace our Vulcan Hotshot 135L gas hot water unit. It was installed in 1994. 28 years of fantastic service. What more can I
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.0 (7)
- Value for Money3.9 (7)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.3 (7)
- Noise Level4.7 (6)
- Temperature Consistency4.7 (6)
- Heating Speed4.3 (6)
Rinnai Infinity Range
· includes 10 listingsLatest review: Basic Info: Installed in 2001, reviewed in 2022, running flawlessly on a 2 storey 4 bedroom house, placed right outside the downstairs bathroom, and we INSULATED the hot water pipe. This is in
- Review Summary
- Build Quality3.6 (34)
- Value for Money3.1 (35)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.9 (28)
- Noise Level3.7 (33)
- Temperature Consistency3.1 (34)
- Heating Speed3.1 (34)
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Stiebel Eltron WWK 222 / 302
· includes 4 listingsLatest review: I have have this unit for 5 and half years and it has totally stopped Woking condenser is stuffed. Of course the warranty is only five years I'm in the position to replace it so soon. Feeling
- Review Summary
- Build Quality3.9 (31)
- Value for Money3.2 (31)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.2 (26)
- Noise Level4.1 (33)
- Temperature Consistency4.2 (30)
- Heating Speed4.0 (29)
Enviroheat Heat Pump Water Heater
Latest review: They promptly fitted a hot water pump after discussions and suggestions on which would be the best way to proceed. J R Gas & Water are good to deal with giving you confidence in their
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.2 (18)
- Value for Money4.3 (18)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.2 (13)
- Noise Level3.8 (16)
- Temperature Consistency4.0 (11)
- Heating Speed3.8 (11)
- TypeStorage
Thermal Ark ARK270
The Thermal Ark ARK270 Heat Pump Hot Water System has different modes that make it even more energy efficient, as well a water recovery rate of 75L/h, letting you get hot water when you want it.
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.7 (7)
- Value for Money4.9 (8)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 5.0 (6)
- Noise Level4.7 (7)
- Temperature Consistency4.6 (7)
- Heating Speed4.6 (7)
Smarttek Black Smart Hot Water System
Latest review: Ever since new i had an intermittent fault with my black series hot water unit. frustrating and hard to diagnose too. mainly dealt with kathrine who was fantastic. long story short after multiple
- Review Summary
- Build Quality3.9 (32)
- Value for Money3.4 (35)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.8 (29)
- Noise Level3.9 (27)
- Temperature Consistency3.2 (33)
- Heating Speed3.6 (33)
EcoAlliance Dynaheat
· includes 6 listingsLatest review: After technician left … Leaks and no hot water !! Technician refused to revisit as a ‘service ‘ issue clearly installation anomaly Constant calls from service and promised to ‘fix’ never occurred Re
- Review Summary
- Build Quality3.8 (130)
- Value for Money3.9 (134)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.7 (116)
- Noise Level3.6 (126)
- Temperature Consistency4.0 (124)
- Heating Speed4.0 (121)
Types of hot water systems
Heating water for use in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry uses over a quarter of the average household’s energy, which is why it’s important to carefully consider what kind of hot water system is right for you.
You’ll have to first decide what kind of heating method you want to use for your hot water system: gas, electric, solar, or heat pump.
Gas hot water systems · See All
Gas is quite an efficient energy source, so it can be a good option if you have a natural gas connection. Natural gas is significantly cheaper than LPG.
These systems are usually installed outdoors because they need adequate ventilation, but they can be installed indoors with a flue.
Pros
Cons
Electric hot water systems · See All
Electric water heating is relatively cheap to buy and install, but ongoing costs can be expensive. However, if your meter includes off-peak rates, then this should be cheaper.
Pros
Cons
Solar hot water systems · See All
A solar hot water system needs to be installed in a sunny spot for it to be efficient. This means that they do tend to work better in certain parts of Australia, particularly Queensland and the Northern Territory. You might even want to buy a larger tank for days with less sun or when you want to use more hot water.
Most of these systems will still have either a gas or electric booster to ensure that hot water is always available, regardless of the climate.
Pros
Cons
Heat pump hot water systems
Heat pump systems use electricity to transfer heat from one place to another rather than directly generating heat. These units need to be installed in a place with good ventilation, generally outdoors. Heat pump models can save you up to 80% on the cost of hot water compared to an electric storage system.
Pros
Cons
Storage vs instantaneous hot water systems
A hot water system can be either an instant system or a storage tank system.
Instant systems
Also called continuous hot water systems, these only heat water when they're needed. They aren’t actually instant, but they usually just take a few seconds before you get hot water. Most models use gas, but you can still find electric models, which are typically only designed to heat water for a single water outlet.
A continuous flow system can be more suited to smaller households, as they’re cheaper to run and more practical than having a storage tank.
f you’re considering an instant hot water system, then you should consider its flow rate. You should opt for a higher flow rate if you have many water outlets in your home. A general rule of thumb is to get a flow rate of around 22 to 24L per minute for a house with two bathrooms.
Storage tank systems
These store a certain amount of heated water that can then be used throughout the day. Most gas, electric, solar, and heat pump systems use a tank.
They’re generally more cost-effective and so can be suited to households that use a lot of hot water; you just need to ensure you get a large enough tank to ensure the last in line for a shower isn’t left in the lurch mid-rinse.
If you have off-peak electricity available to your home, then these systems can take advantage of these cheaper tariffs.
These tanks are insulated, but it’s still a good idea to install them in an insulated or sunny place to minimise heat loss.
What to consider when choosing a hot water system
There are a few other things you should consider when shopping around.
Your household size and energy use
Understanding the hot water needs of your household is key to getting the right hot water system. An undersized system means that someone will probably miss out on a hot shower, while a system that’s too large will mean you’re paying for something that you’re not fully using.
The average Australian uses around 40 to 50L of hot water per day - more if you take long hot showers or often use hot water to wash clothes.
Here’s a rough size guide for water heaters, but you should also consult the manufacturer of a hot water system you’re considering buying as well as seek advice from an installer.
For storage tank systems, consider the number of people in your household:
- A 1-2 person household could be fine with a small storage tank of around 90L.
- A 4-person household will need around 135-170L.
- Households of 5 people or more may find it more economical to find a large tank of between 200-300L than install multiple continuous systems.
For continuous hot water systems, consider the number of hot water outlets in your home and peak usage:
- A 2-bathroom household will need 22-24L/min flow rate.
- If you expect 2 people to be showering at the same time, you need at least a flow rate of 14L/min.
- There’s also the option to install multiple systems and have them in different parts of your home.
Energy efficiency
The most efficient type of hot water systems are heat pump and solar water heating systems.
If you’re shopping for an electric storage system, a gas storage system, or an instant gas hot water system, look for Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). You may see energy efficiency ratings on gas systems, but these aren’t government regulated.
Price
Excluding installation, prepare to pay the following upfront:
- Gas hot water systems often cost between $900 and $2000.
- Electric hot water systems usually cost somewhere between $500 and $2000.
- Solar hot water system prices can vary a lot, but usually cost between $4000 and $8000.
- Heat pump models range from $2000 to $4000.
Hot water system installation costs vary a lot depending on the job and system you opt for. If you’re switching out your current hot water system with one of the same capacity and in the same location, installation typically ranges from $300 to $700. If you’re moving the system to another location, then you may have to pay between $1100 and $2500 depending on what kind of plumbing and electrical work is required.
You should also check for warranties. While these vary, most hot water systems should come with a warranty of at least 7 years - the longer the warranty, the more the manufacturer backs the quality.
Look for government rebates and incentives
There are a range of incentives offered by the federal and state governments - such as the federal government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme - for households to switch to energy-efficient hot water systems, particularly solar and heat pump systems.
A hot water system installer may also be able to tell you of rebates that are available to those living in your area.