Reclaim CO2 Heat Pump Installation in Dee Why
— Northern Beaches Hot Water
We installed a Reclaim Energy CO2 heat pump for a Dee Why homeowner looking to ditch gas and slash their hot water costs. Here’s what was involved and why we recommended this system.
This Dee Why homeowner had been running an ageing gas storage system for years. With rising gas prices and a connection fee of around $281 per year just to stay connected, they wanted to know if there was a better option.
After a free on-site quote, we recommended a Reclaim Energy CO2 heat pump — and the numbers made the decision easy.
Why We Recommended Reclaim
We’re recommended by Reclaim Energy, and for good reason. Their CO2 heat pump is one of the most efficient hot water systems available in Australia. It uses CO2 as its refrigerant — a natural gas with a global warming potential of just 1, compared to 1,430 for the synthetic refrigerants used in many cheaper heat pumps.
The practical difference? A Reclaim system produces around 5 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity it uses. That’s roughly five times more efficient than a standard electric element, and it works down to -10°C without needing a backup booster element. On the Northern Beaches, where winter nights rarely drop below 8–10°C, this system runs at peak efficiency year-round.
The Installation
We wall-mounted the Reclaim compressor unit on the side of the house and installed a stainless steel storage tank alongside it. The stainless steel tank is particularly important for Dee Why — salt air from the coast accelerates corrosion on standard mild steel tanks. Reclaim’s stainless steel option carries a 15-year tank warranty and is purpose-built for coastal conditions.
The compressor runs at just 37 decibels — quieter than a normal conversation. For context, under NSW law (POEO Noise Control Regulation 2017, Clause 53), heat pump water heaters must not be audible in a neighbour’s habitable rooms between 10pm and 7am on weekdays. During the day, equipment noise must stay within 5 dB(A) above the ambient background level at the property boundary. At 37 dB, a Reclaim unit is well within compliance when properly positioned.
The Numbers
- Old gas storage system: ~$1,000/year to run (including gas connection fee)
- New Reclaim heat pump: ~$480/year to run (based on peak electricity rates with no solar input)
- Annual saving: ~$520+ based on today’s energy prices (plus the gas connection fee eliminated entirely)
- NSW government rebates (STCs + ESCs) applied at point of sale, helping reduce the upfront cost
The Reclaim stainless steel tank comes with a 15-year warranty, and with running cost savings of $520+ every year based on today’s energy prices — which we all know are only going up — the heat pump pays for itself well within that warranty period.
Why Dee Why Homeowners Are Switching
We’re seeing more and more Dee Why residents making the switch from gas to heat pump. The combination of lower running costs, government rebates, and the ability to eliminate the gas connection entirely makes it a straightforward decision for most households.
If your hot water system is the only reason you’re still connected to gas, the economics of switching are compelling. And with Dee Why’s coastal climate, a heat pump performs at its best all year round.
Thinking about switching to a heat pump in Dee Why? Call us on 0448 581 325 for a free on-site quote. We’ll assess your current system, calculate the rebates, and give you a clear bottom-line price.
Need hot water help? Call Northern Beaches Hot Water on 0448 581 325.