Heat Pumps: What Are They and Why Is Everyone Switching?

If you’ve had your hot water system replaced in the last couple of years — or talked to anyone who has — you’ve probably heard the term “heat pump”. They’re the fastest-growing hot water technology in Australia, and for good reason.

How Does a Heat Pump Work?

A heat pump hot water system works exactly like your fridge, but in reverse. Your fridge pulls heat OUT of the food compartment and pushes it into your kitchen (that’s why the back of your fridge is warm). A heat pump pulls heat FROM the outside air and uses it to heat your water.

The clever part is efficiency. For every 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity a heat pump uses, it produces 3–4 kWh of heat energy. That’s because it’s not creating heat from scratch — it’s moving heat that already exists in the air. It’s the same principle as an air conditioner, just applied to water instead of room air.

Do They Work in Winter?

This is the most common question we get. The short answer: yes. Modern heat pumps work down to temperatures as low as -10°C. On the Northern Beaches, our winter nights rarely drop below 8–10°C, which is well within the comfort zone for a heat pump.

Cold conditions can reduce efficiency and slow recovery. Check the specific model’s operating range, tank size and any backup heating rather than assuming a fixed efficiency ratio in every season.

What Do They Cost?

A heat pump system typically costs more upfront than a traditional electric or gas system. However, two things close that gap:

• Federal STCs and the separate NSW Energy Savings Scheme may reduce upfront cost for eligible installations; confirm the model, activity and paperwork requirements
• Compare the on-site installation quote and modelled energy use; savings and payback vary by household

When you factor in both purchase price and running costs over time, a heat pump is almost always the cheapest option — especially with energy prices continuing to rise.

Are They Noisy?

Modern heat pumps are significantly quieter than older models. Most quality units run at around 37–45 decibels — about the same volume as a quiet conversation or a household refrigerator. They’re typically installed outside, and most homeowners barely notice them.

That said, placement matters. We always consider your property layout and neighbour proximity when recommending where to install the unit.

What Brands Do We Recommend?

We’re recommended by Reclaim Energy, one of Australia’s leading heat pump manufacturers. We also install Sanden, iStore, Rheem, Emerald, Enviroheat, and Midea — so we can match the right unit to your household’s needs and budget.

All our heat pump installations come with a labour-backed warranty for the life of the manufacturer warranty. That means if anything goes wrong with the installation workmanship, we cover it — for as long as the unit is under warranty.