Review Of Top Heat Pump Water Heaters Offered Under State Rebate Programs in Australia
This is a comprehensive guide on the best heat pumps offered under state government rebate programs in Australia.
I’m going to talk about the Victorian Energy Upgrade Scheme of the state government of Victoria, the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) of NSW state government, and the rebates and subsidies that are available for heat pump based hot water systems.
I’m also going to compare the systems with an irrefutable metric, that is measured by actually calculating the energy savings that these systems can produce.
And the results that I got are actually very surprising. Not to me, but to a lot of the online warriors out there. What we find is that Rheem, iStore, Reclaim, all these systems actually don’t really even hold a candle to The Ecogenica, Midea, and Emerald Heat Pumps.
These so called cheaper systems that are supposed to be inferior in efficiency and quality, actually outperform, sometimes very far outperform, some of the other systems.
So, we’re going to jump into the details. I’m going to show you all the proof, and it’s all in the pudding, basically of everything that I have gathered.
Homeowners and businesses can upgrade your hot water system in New South Wales and Victoria. There are great subsidies available. Some of these systems are very, very cheap.
A heat pump without subsidies can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 in Australia. With subsidies, they can cost anywhere from $33 all the way up to $2,000.
The first thing we’re going to have a look at is the Victorian Energy Upgrades Program.
You can see that the government regulate the VEU, they regulate the products to provide confidence in the benefits delivered to consumers, and a balanced, transparent, and efficient program for participants.
So basically, the government is measuring all the systems, they’re measuring the annual energy savings that these systems can generate and the energy certificates that can be attributed to them.
In this case, this is specifically for the Victorian Energy Upgrades Program. Obviously, it’s going to be pretty much the same for, New South Wales ESS scheme.
One of the issues in the industry of heat pumps is that everyone claims to have their own COP (coefficient of performance), but they’re all using different metrics. And I’m just going to show you an example of that now.
Ecogenica vs Sanden
If we look at an Ecogenica, they say the COP for the 290 liter is 5. Okay. What is that number based of?
You might see the COP of Sandan and think immediately, hey, this is 5.96. That’s a bigger number than 5. This must be better. But that’s actually not the case.
The actual average annual COP of Ecogenica, as we’re going to see, is actually more efficient than, Sanden.
But because of the way that Sanden measured COP, because it’s at a warmer ambient temperature of 32, it looks like this is a better system.
Reclaim
Reclaim also has a similar, thing. They have mentioned a COP of 5 on their website. It is calculated based on 32 degrees ambient temperature. But they actually haven’t provided the inlet temperature, or any of the other details that we need to compare against the other manufacturers.
They say they’ve got a COP of 5, which is based off of 32 degrees ambient temperature. But they actually haven’t provided the inlet temperature, or any of the other details that we need to actually fairly compare these.
Problem with measuring COP at face value
COP is a good metric. It means, it’s a multiple of how much more efficient your system is than a standard electric system.
Or in other words, one kilowatt of electricity will produce 5.96 kilowatts of heating equivalent energy.
The engineers at the government regulating body, they have to actually compare these heat pumps, and they have to predict the energy savings that you’ll get over a year, and that’s what is used to produce the certificates.
Energy savings to incentivize affordable water heating products
So the more energy savings heat pump can achieve, the more certificates that heat pump can produce. This in turn used to incentivize those more energy saving products.
So, something that has a larger energy saving is going to have more energy certificates (VEECs) attributed to it. And it works the same with solar energy certificates (STCs).
The more efficient your system, the more subsidies you’ll get for getting that system. This is why it’s exciting, because you would think that the best system is going to be the most expensive, but actually the best system is the one which a company decides to mass produce heat pump based hot water systems and design them in such a way that they get the most subsidies out of them to make them very, very cheap.
Let’s jump into the reviews. Kicking off at number 13 one of the most expensive heat pumps on the list.
Reclaim Energy SS V2 Heat Pumps
This is ranked number 13 on the list. This comes with a tank capacity of 250 liters, stainless steel. It offers a glass line tank with a shorter warranty and inferior efficiency, but it is slightly cheaper to get.
It has an average COP of 4.167 and an yearly energy saving of 76%. The operating temperature, negative 10 to 43 degrees. I’ve included the operating temperature here, but if you’re in Victoria or New South Wales, there aren’t a lot of places where minimum and maximum temperaturs go out of the operating temperature range of the heat pumps.
Booster, no booster. These systems all work fine. You don’t need a booster. Even if it’s negative zero degrees, it’s definitely not necessary.
You get a six year warranty on the tank and then it’s pro-rated for nine years. At the beginning of the pro-rated term, they’ll paying 100 percent for the warranty. At the end of the pro-rated term, you’ll be paying 100%. So, as time passes, your percentage goes up, their percentage goes down. Um, halfway through it’s 50-50.
You get six years warranty on the compressor, six years labor. It uses CO2 as a refrigerant. It’s got a GWP of 1. GWP stands for global warming potential. Most of these systems have about one kilogram, probably a bit less of refrigerant. One kilogram of CO2, it’s not a huge deal.
Some of these systems have R134A refrigerant, but it’s got a very high GWP. If one kilogram of this substance was released, it’d be the equivalent of 3.81 tons of CO2.
If you care about carbon emissions, definitely avoid the R134As. I think it is overstated issue because. This is only really an issue if there’s a leak in the tank, which is pretty unusual. And if you dispose of your tank in a careful manner and you use a licensed plumber, you’re not going to have any issues there.
But that’s something to be in mind. It’s got low toxicity to humans. But I don’t, I don’t think it’s going to be a massive issue.
This also comes with a Wi-Fi controller, which is great. I mean, you can have a Wi Fi controller on your hot water system. There are some people that really want it. And good, good for them, I suppose.
Like if you always want to check on your hot water. Personally, I’m more of the opinion that you should set it up once and then forget about it. You don’t need to check on your hot water every, every day, every hour, make sure it’s doing alright. Uh, it’s just not necessary in my opinion. If this is a necessity for you, uh, Reclaim does offer that.
If you do decide to go with Reclaim, uh, I was quoted 5,600 after STCs in New South Wales. And 5,800 after after STCs and VEECs in New South and in Victoria. You might also be eligible for lots of different subsidies.
This is extremely expensive. We installed an Ecogenica 215L for $33 in New South Wales. And you’re getting better performance — than the Reclaim Energy heat pump — out of it.
It’s very expensive. It’s going to be up to you if you want to spend more on that. I don’t think it’s worth it.
But, I’ll let you decide that for yourself.
Emerald Energy RCHP-200–1
So, the next system is number 12. We have the Emerald Energy System. This is the RCHP200-1.
It is 200 litre tank, suitable for probably 3, maybe 4 people. Tank material is vitreous enamel. You get a COP of 4.184 and an annual saving of 76.1. The warranty
- On tank: 7 years
- Compressor: 2 years
- Labour: 2 years
It’s quite a good warranty. Its refrigerant (R134A) does have the GWP of 3,810 and low toxicity to humans. It comes with an electric backup option.
Beware of the backups. They will cost you more money over the long run.
I was quoted $1470 including GST for an electric replacment after ESC energy certificate and STCs rebate in New South Wales. In Victoria, I was quoted $1700 after VEECs and STCs rebate, but with SolarVIC rebate, I was quoted 1200.
I wasn’t able to ascertain if I was getting the 200 or 200 liters from the supplier, and there’s quite a large difference between the performance of these models. As per Emerald Energy website, these systems can deliver a COP of 4.184.
Midea MT-300 R26
Midea, you probably recognize. They used to be Chromagen Midea. They still are. Those are single units. 280 litres or 170 litres. They’re, they’re the slimline tanks.
Those have a pretty bad reputation. Lots of shoddy installs and, pretty poor after warranty support. But I believe their new Medea model is, actually pretty good. I haven’t been able to see one for myself yet. But the specifications are obviously really, really good. The only thing with Medea is you’re not getting a very good warranty.
- Tank: 5 years
- Compressor: 3 years
- Labour: 3 years on tank and 1 on compressor
Yeah, the warranty is really not very good. It doesn’t hold a candle to any of the others on this list. So while the performance of Media is good, I warn against them.
They also have the R134A refrigerant being used. But don’t confuse this for the single unit systems.
Sanden 315EQT heat pump
Sanden has a great warranty. They have 10 years on the tank and five years pro-rated and six on the compressor, which includes labor.
- Stainless steel tank: 10 years + 5 years on pro-rated basis
- Compressor: 6 years
They have one of the best compressor warranties around, matching reclaim six years on the compressor, and including labor, which is quite impressive.
The COP is 4.348 and energy savings is 77%. It uses CO2 as a refrigerant, one of the best refrigerants to use. It is very safe as well. It comes with a wifi controller as well. So if you’re bored, play with your hot water.
After ESCs and STCs, I was quoted $5,700. It’s very expensive. It is sort of a no brainer, in my opinion.
Emerald Energy RCHP-300
This is Emerald. Emerald energy system. So this is a 300 liter unit, vitreous enamel, 4.348 COP, 77 percent energy savings, 7 years warranty on the tank, 5 years on compressor and 2 years labor.
- On tank: 7 years
- On Compressor: 5 years
- Labour 2 years
Same refrigerant as the early model. It’s ranked number 9 on the list. I was quoted $1661, so slightly more expensive than the 200 liter model. And it does come with an electric booster option as well.
I was only able to be quoted for the electric booster. So that’s $1661 after ESCs and STCs and 1700 after VEECs and STCs.
Ecogenica EG-155 FR
This is Ecogenica, they used to have a 155 litre unit, sort of too small to be practical, only fit for one, two, maybe even three people. But this is no longer being produced, but it did make to the list.
155 litres, made of vitreous enamel material, 77.1 percent energy savings over the year, and 7 years waranty on the tank, and 5 years labour.
GWP is 0.02, very, very low. All these figures are standardised over a 20 year time frame. Propane actually breaks down very, very quickly, so, uh, that’s why it has such a low GWP. So it’s actually very good for the environment. Propane is a naturally occurring compound as well.
Emerald Energy A1–220
Emerald energy heat pump again. I was super impressed with Emerald. To be honest, this is their, the only single unit system to make it in the top 13. It is a 220 liter unit made of vitreous enamel material.
You get a 4.464 COP and an average annual saving is 77.6%. It operates in m negative 7 to 40 degrees temperature range. You get 5 years warrang in the tank, 5 years on compressor, 2 years of labour, so slightly lesser warranty than their split unit systems, which come with 7 years. But it uses R290, which is actually quite a good refrigerant, instead of R134A like their other systems.
And, it comes with a WiFi controller, so good for those rainy days. It comes with a booster option as well.
Ecogenica EG-215 FR
This is the 215 litre Ecogenica. This is ranked number 6th in Australia. It’s got a tank capacity of 215 litres, suitable for 3 to 4 people. Tank material, vitreous enamel, COP of 4.464, and savings of 77%. It has got a seven year warranty on the tank, five in the compressor, two years of labor.
And, the price for New South Wales as of November 1st is $33 currently. In Victoria, it is starting at $1200 after VEECs, STCs and Solar Vic rebates.
Sanden 315 EQS
Another Sandan on the list, this is the 315 liters stainless steel tank, 4.545 COP, and obviously all the same information as before in terms of warranty.
I was able to get the 315 litre system, for $5,700 in New South Wales after ESCs and STC rebates, and in Victoria it is $5,800 after VEEC and STC rebates.
Sanden 250 EQTB
Another one from Sanden. Similar specs except that it is 250 liters and slightly cheaper than its 315 EQS version.
Midea MT-200 R26
It ranks number three, 200 liter unit, 4.739 average COP, and annual average saving of 78.9%, which is great. But again, the warranty is not great.
- Tank: 5 years
- Compressor: 3 years
- Labour: 3 years on tank and 1 year on compressor
I was quoted $33 in New South Wales and $0 in Victoria (after VEECs and STCs) if your existing system is electric and outdoor.
But that is before any potential charges, so they do charge. They charge for switchboards, upgrades, RCBO valves, concrete slabs, picking up your old tank. So the price ends up being more expensive than anticipated.
Emerald Energy RCHP-200
Emerald Energy, 200 litre unit, rank number 2. Made of vitreous enamel, 4.95 COP, very high, 79.8 percent annual energy savings. It does come with an electric backup option.
I was quoted $1,200 including GST for electric outdoor swap over after ESC and STC rebates in NSW. In Victoria, I was quoted $1,470 including GST for electric outdoor swap over after ESC and STC rebates.
Um, you may be able to find better prices for this. There are tons of companies that do emerald energy hot water upgrades.
Ecogenica EG-290 FR
And then finally we have the Ecogenica 290 litre. The most efficient hot water system in Australia. I said that a lot Facebook. And, and no one believed me. The internet warriors don’t believe me. But the truth is in the pudding. The truth is irrefutable and they shall have the truth and nothing but the truth.
So, it’s 290 liters of vitreous enamel. You get 80.7 percent savings over electric standard electric system. You get a COP of 5.181. It’s massive! It has GWP of 0.02 because it is using propane, which is a very safe refrigerant. You get a great warranty too.
This is my favorite unit. It’s the most efficient system in Australia. It’s a really good quality unit, and it’s been updated recently.
