Tired of your energy bills eating up your budget? With living costs on the rise, looking for ways to cut expenses makes sense. One easy way to save? Upgrading how you heat your water.
An energy-efficient heat pump will be your new best friend. These clever systems use far less electricity than traditional water heaters, giving you hot water when you need it and savings where you want them—your electricity bills.
At iStore, we’re all about helping you heat your home’s water affordably and sustainably because we believe comfort shouldn’t come at a high cost to your family or the environment.
Benefits of Energy-Efficient Heat Pumps
Energy Savings
Energy-efficient electric heat pumps are about three times more efficient than conventional electric water heaters. Instead of constantly burning through electricity, they use smart technology to heat your water, saving you money on electricity bills. These savings really add up over time.
The best energy-efficient heat pumps feature economical operating modes to save you even more money.
For example, an eco mode for everyday use keeps energy consumption low while providing reliable hot water. Another popular mode is the vacation mode, which maintains the tank’s temperature just enough to avoid issues like freezing or bacterial growth without wasting energy while you’re away.
Environmental Benefits
Choosing an energy-efficient heat pump isn’t just good for your wallet—it’s great for the planet, too.
A heat pump uses less electricity than an electric water heater because it transfers thermal energy from the air rather than generating heat directly. As this process relies on air—a renewable energy source—instead of fossil fuels, your home’s greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint are reduced.
How iStore Can Help
Energy Efficiency
What energy-efficient features can you enjoy from iStore’s 180L and 270L heat pump models?
- Savings: Cut your water heating costs by up to 70% and save as much as $1,000 a year on your energy bills.
- Lower Electricity Usage: Consuming 75–85% less electricity than traditional electric and gas water heaters.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Using approximately only 500 watts of energy per hour during the air-to-energy heating process, lowering the average Australian home’s CO2 emissions by up to 2.9 tonnes a year.
Optimal Performance
Both models incorporate innovative technology for optimal performance.
- Intelligent Operating Modes: Eco, Standard, Hybrid, and Vacation modes let you select the setting that best suits your hot water usage patterns.
- User-Friendly Controls: An accessible digital interface makes monitoring and adjusting settings easy, reducing the need for costly service calls for simple adjustments.
- Scheduling Capabilities: You can program heating cycles to align with off-peak electricity rates, maximising energy usage and cost savings.
- Diagnostics and Alerts: Built-in diagnostic tools can detect issues and display error codes, identifying problems early to reduce system downtime.
Quick Installation
The iStore’s heating components and storage tank are combined into a single unit, making professional installation quick and easy. Installation typically takes 2–3 hours, and your hot water should be up and running that evening.
What Our Clients Have To Say
Here’s what just a handful of customers have to say about their iStore heat pump.
“Great, affordable unit. Had a 180L iStore heat unit installed to replace our old instant gas unit. Easy-to-use unit with good energy-saving features. Heats water and holds heat efficiently.”
Samuel B.
“We had the iStore 180L heat pump installed a couple of months ago and are more than happy with its performance. For a two-person household, this hot water service has consistently delivered hot water. Given that we have solar, we run the heat pump during the day, with the water set to heat between 10 am and 3 pm, so the cost is minimal.”
Pia Jess, Adelaide, SA
“Amazing product. The iStore unit is very energy-efficient and works perfectly. Customer support after purchase was very prompt. Highly recommend if you need to replace a hot water unit. Quiet and efficient.”
Will
“Very efficient unit! The controls are great, allowing me to time the running time to solar hours so that I get free hot water. There’s also a “holiday mode” to stop the unit from heating when you’re away! I’ve got a household of four (no teenagers yet!) but have never run out of hot water with the 180L.”
Jaytee, ACT
“Didn’t know what hot water was till I got an iStore! I recently purchased the iStore after reading all the fantastic reviews online, and I’m so glad I did! The product is amazing, and I didn’t realise how bad my previous hot water system was till I bought the iStore. The installation and ordering were super quick and easy. I will be recommending this product to all my friends and family.”
Taylah, Perth, WA
How Air-Source Heat Pumps Work
Air-source heat pumps pull heat from the air to heat water. Unlike conventional water heaters, which use electricity to generate heat, energy-efficient electric heat pumps use electricity to move heat from one place to another. This process requires much less electricity.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- The system draws in warm air using a fan.
- The air passes over a coil filled with a special fluid called refrigerant.
- The refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air and turns into a gas.
- A compressor pumps the gas, making it hotter.
- This hot gas transfers its heat to the water in the storage tank.
- The refrigerant cools down, returns to liquid form, and the cycle starts again.
Choosing the Right Heat Pump for Your Home
How big is your household?
A 180L heat pump is sufficient for the daily hot water needs of one to three people: showers, dishwashing, and light laundry. A 270L size is better suited for the higher demand of four people or more: multiple showers, large bathtubs, and frequent loads of laundry and dishes.
What type of system suits your home?
With a split system heat pump, the tank is installed indoors (e.g., in the garage or laundry), and the heat pump unit is installed outdoors. This setup is ideal if you have limited outdoor space or want to protect the tank from the elements. In contrast, an integrated system is easier to install and reduces indoor operating noise because it’s an all-in-one unit installed outdoors.
How important are energy efficiency and cost savings to you?
Look for a heat pump with a high energy-efficiency rating to cut down on electricity bills and save you money in the long run.
What’s the climate like where you live?
If you live in a colder area, choose a heat pump specifically designed to perform well in low temperatures.
How well-insulated is the tank?
Choose a tank with good insulation to keep water hot for longer and reduce the heat pump’s workload.
Will you pair your heat pump with solar panels?
Check that your roof has enough space and gets plenty of sunlight to make the most out of your solar panels and, in turn, your energy-efficient heat pump.
Rebates and Incentives
State-Based Savings
Some Australian state governments offer incentives and rebates if you install solar panels, solar batteries, and heat pumps.
You may be eligible for $800 to $3,000 off a renewable energy hot water system when replacing a traditional system. You could receive a $1,080 rebate just for installing an iStore 270L heat pump, as it’s approved by the Australian Federal Government Clean Energy Regulator.
In NSW, incentives range from $1,600 to $2,400 off the upfront installation cost of a household solar battery for homes with existing solar systems. The excess solar energy stored in this battery can power your heat pump.
In Victoria, eligible households can receive a rebate of up to $1,400 for installing solar panels. Using solar panels to power your heat pump will reduce your reliance on the grid and your water heating costs.
Federal Incentives
The Federal Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) is an Australian government initiative encouraging households and small businesses to install renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, solar hot water systems, and heat pumps.
Under this scheme, when you install an eligible system, you receive Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which can be sold to lower the upfront cost of your system. The number of certificates you receive depends on your system’s size, location, and the amount of renewable energy it’s expected to generate or displace over its lifetime.
Electricity tariffs are also available Australia-wide to save households money on their bills, but the types and structures of tariffs vary depending on the state, territory, and energy provider.
One such tariff is the time-of-use tariff. Electricity rates vary depending on the time of day, with lower rates during off-peak hours. You can reduce energy expenses by scheduling your heat pump to operate during these cheaper periods.
FAQs
What Government Incentives Are Available for Installing Heat Pumps?
Under the Federal Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), households installing eligible renewable energy hot water systems can create Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs). These STCs can then be sold to recover a portion of the upfront system installation cost.
On a state level, homes may be eligible for $800 to $3,000 off a renewable energy hot water system when replacing a traditional one.
How Do Energy-Efficient Heat Pumps Impact Home Resale Value?
Energy-efficient heat pumps can increase home resale value by appealing to buyers looking for lower energy bills, modern technology, and sustainable features.
How Do I Choose the Right Size Heat Pump for My Home?
A 180–200L system suits smaller households of one to three people, while larger families of four or more likely need a 270–300L system.
What Is the Lifespan of an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump?
An energy-efficient heat pump typically lasts 10 to 15 years, depending on usage, maintenance, and environmental conditions.
Start Saving with iStore’s Energy-Efficient Heat Pumps
Want to enjoy hot water without being left steaming over your energy bills?
It’s time to install an iStore energy-efficient heat pump! By using renewable thermal energy from the air to heat your water, you’ll cut costs—not comfort—and keep the environment happy!
Explore our range of the best energy-efficient heat pumps in Australia, then contact us today to upgrade your home’s water heating system. Call 1300 515 640 or fill out this online form, and we’ll be in touch soon.
