Say goodbye to the days of draining your wallet and your patience waiting for hot water. Discover revolutionary heat pump hot water systems, the cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for heating your home’s water.
At iStore, our heat pumps are built for sustainability, affordability, and performance to make your home greener, your energy bills leaner, and your hot showers longer.
What is a Heat Pump Water Heater?
Unlike traditional electric heaters that simply convert electricity into heat, and gas heaters that burn fuel to generate heat, heat pump hot water systems extract heat from the air.
Air is an unlimited natural resource, so using it to heat water is sustainable and just makes sense!
How Does a Heat Pump Hot Water System Work?
A fan pulls air over a hot water heat pump’s evaporator, where refrigerant absorbs heat from the air and turns the refrigerant into a gas. The compressor pressurises this gas, heating it further. The hot gas then passes through a condenser coil, heating the water inside the tank. As the gas cools, it returns to a liquid and cycles back to the evaporator.
This process continues until the water reaches the set temperature and restarts when the water drops below the set temperature, as hot water is used.
Heat pump hot water systems can be paired with solar panels. The solar panels generate the electricity needed to power the heat pump, reducing reliance on the grid, lowering electricity costs, and making the system even more environmentally friendly.
Benefits of iStore’s Heat Pump Hot Water Systems
Sustainability
Our hot water heat pumps consume 75–85% less electricity than traditional electric and gas water heaters.
By relying on renewable thermal energy rather than fossil fuels, an iStore heat pump helps reduce your carbon footprint. It consumes approximately only 500 watts of energy per hour during the air-to-energy heating process and can lower the average Australian home’s CO2 emissions by up to 2.9 tonnes a year!
For further sustainability, you can integrate an iStore heat pump with an iStore hybrid solar inverter and battery. Excess photovoltaic (PV) energy generated by your solar panels can run your heat pump instead of going to waste.
Savings
Because our heat pumps use much less electricity than traditional water heaters, you’ll notice significant savings on energy bills.
How significant?
Your water heating costs can be lowered by up to 70%, saving you up to $1000 a year!
iStore hot water heat pumps feature four economical operating modes to save you even more money. There’s a hybrid mode for when guests are staying at your place and a vacation mode for when you’re away.
Additionally, this innovative, money-saving water heating solution can appeal to potential buyers, enhancing your home’s value.
Versatility, Reliability, and Easy Maintenance
iStore heat pumps supply hot water to kitchens, laundries, and multiple bathrooms in homes of all sizes.
These pumps automatically restart the heating cycle once the temperature in the tank has dropped below a set temperature, so you’ll always have hot water on hand.
The all-in-one pump unit is quick and easy to install, and maintenance is minimal because there are few moving parts.
iStore’s Heat Pump Solutions
iStore heat pump hot water systems are available in two sizes, both boasting all the amazing benefits mentioned above.
The 180L pump is perfect for smaller homes with water heating needs that may include up to three people showering daily, washing dishes, and doing small laundry loads.
The 270L pump is better suited for larger households with more hot water needs, such as multiple family members (four or more) taking back-to-back showers, filling large bathtubs, and handling lots of dishwashing and laundry loads.
Choosing the Right Heat Pump Hot Water System
Picking the right hot water heat pump doesn’t have to be tricky. Here are some quick tips to help you make the best choice.
- Household Size: More people means more frequent hot water usage. A 180–200L system suits smaller households, while larger families might need a 270L system or bigger.
- System Type: Got space outdoors? A split system gives you flexibility because the heat pump sits outside, and the tank can go wherever it fits best. Prefer an all-in-one option? An integrated system combines everything in one unit, making installation easier.
- Climate: Heat pumps work well in most climates, but if you live somewhere colder, choose one designed for low temperatures.
- Insulation: Look for a tank with good insulation so your water stays hot for longer and your heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard.
- Roof Space and Shading: If you plan to pair your heat pump with solar panels, make sure your roof has enough space for the panels and gets plenty of sunlight for the best results.
Types of Heat Pump Hot Water Systems
The main types of heat pump hot water systems are split and integrated.
In a split system, the evaporator, fan, and compressor that operate the pump are separate from the water storage tank and connected by refrigerant piping. The heat pump is installed outside, while the tank can be installed indoors or outdoors, offering more installation flexibility and quieter operation, as the compressor is outside.
An integrated system combines the heat pump and water storage tank into a single unit, with the pump mounted on top of the storage cylinder. This setup is ideal for spaces needing a streamlined solution, such as smaller backyards or narrow side passages, because it’s more compact and easier to install.
Speaking of installation, heat pump hot water systems are typically installed by a licensed plumber on a flat, stable surface, such as a concrete slab or paved area. Once everything is connected to the water and power supply, you’re ready to enjoy hot water.
Worried about where to install your hot water heat pump? It will still operate well in shaded or low-light areas because it extracts heat from the surrounding air, not direct sunlight.
Costs and Incentives
Heat pump hot water systems can be more expensive upfront than traditional electric or gas systems, but they make up for it by saving you money on power bills.
With an iStore heat pump’s high-quality construction and long-lasting performance, you’re investing in a system that delivers reliable savings for years to come. And with our competitive pricing, you get excellent value without compromising on efficiency or durability.
Government incentives, rebates, and electricity tariffs are available to help further offset the cost of installation.
- Federal Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES): Households installing eligible renewable energy hot water systems can create Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) that are then sold to recover a portion of the upfront system installation cost.
- State Incentives: Some state governments offer incentives for the installation of solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps.
- NSW: For homes with existing solar systems, incentives range from $1,600 to $2,400 off the upfront installation cost of a household solar battery. The excess solar energy stored in this battery can power your heat pump.
- Victoria: Eligible households can receive a rebate of up to $1,400 for installing solar panels. Using solar panels to power a heat pump will reduce your grid reliance and water heating costs.
- Renewable Energy Hot Water System Rebates: Depending on the state you live in, you may be eligible for $800 to $3,000 off a renewable energy hot water system when replacing a traditional one. You could receive a $1,080 incentive for installing an iStore 270L heat pump, as it’s approved by the Australian Federal Government Clean Energy Regulator.
Time-of-Use Tariffs: Electricity rates vary depending on the time of day, with lower rates during off-peak hours. By scheduling your hot water system to operate during these cheaper periods, you can further reduce energy expenses.
FAQs
What Are the Main Advantages Over Traditional Water Heaters?
Heat pumps
- Use up to 85% less electricity than traditional electric and gas water heaters.
- Reduce your power costs over time.
- Can be paired with solar panels for even greater savings.
- Lower your carbon footprint by using renewable heat from the air.
How Much Can I Save on My Energy Bills?
With an iStore heat pump, your water heating costs can be lowered by up to 70%, saving you up to $1000 a year compared to conventional hot water systems.
What Maintenance Is Required for Heat Pump Systems?
A heat pump hot water system should be inspected for leaks and freed of debris every six months, and air filters should be washed or replaced every 6–12 months.
It’s recommended that a licensed plumber service the system every 2–3 years.
Discover the Future of Hot Water Heating Today!
iStore heat pumps work smarter, not harder—tapping into clever tech to shrink your carbon footprint and cut your energy bills down to size while your family enjoys hot water on demand.
Explore our hot water heat pump range online, 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.