Hot water heat pump experts since 2012
NewGen supplies & installs the most advanced & efficient heat pump systems in Melbourne and throughout Victoria. We can help you choose the best heat pump system for your home.
What type of heat pump do you need?
Hot water heat pump system
What we supply & install every day for homeowners to help reduce energy costs and get away from gas. Compare brands and models in the guide below.
Start comparing ↓
Hydronic heating heat pump
For house heating via hydronic radiator or underfloor heating, the latest options are quieter and more powerful — making them suitable replacements for gas hydronic boilers.
Explore hydronic heating →
Pool heating heat pumps
Enjoy a warmer pool and extend the swimming season. Our flagship Madimack range is quieter, more efficient and vastly more powerful than typical pool heat pumps.
Explore pool heat pumps →Business or high-demand site? See Commercial Hot Water →
Key considerations when choosing a heat pump
Household size & hot water use
How many people, and how they use hot water, sets the tank size and heat pump capacity you need. Sizing it right the first time matters — it's the first thing we confirm on every quote.
Where the system will live
Available space, plumbing runs and how close the unit sits to bedrooms or a neighbour's fence all shape the right choice. The quietest systems we install run at just 37 dB(A).
Solar & battery compatibility
For a heat pump to work in conjunction with solar power, batteries — and even the 'free energy time' plans some electricity retailers now offer — the correct tank size and a high recovery rate are key.
Budget vs quality
Spending more delivers efficiency, quietness, build quality and longer warranties. Cheap heat pumps tend to have poor reliability, are unpleasantly loud — and warranties that look decent at purchase can prove hollow, with companies slow to respond to service requests or gone altogether. Every brand we list is one we can stand behind.
Hot water heat pump Price Tiers
Hot water heat pumps can essentially be placed into three pricing tiers — after 14 years of experience we strongly recommend avoiding the cheap end.
The best investment and option of least regret
A separate CO₂ heat pump paired with an Australian-made tank — stainless steel where suitable. The natural refrigerant and COPs of 5.0–6.1 make them the best choice for the environment; fast recovery rates, 37 dB quietness and 10 year warranties make them the best to live with. And because hot water failures are painful for families, their built-to-last reliability is worth more than any pure cost comparison shows.
- Panasonic CO₂ 4 kW & 6 kW · exceptional efficiency and recovery rate
- Sanden Eco Plus the original CO₂ · proven performance and efficiency
- Reclaim CO₂ smart Wi-Fi controller · extensive service network
Right choice for: reliability, maximum efficiency, noise-sensitive sites and high hot water demand homes.
The solid budget-friendly options
Not every budget stretches to premium — so these are the systems we happily recommend when it doesn't. Quality R290 refrigerant heat pumps from established companies that have a strong Australian presence and a reputation for good after sales service.
- Aquatech Rapid/X6 & Dynamic/X8 all-in-ones · compact, quiet, excellent value
- Reclaim Eco R290 Australian made · solid warranty · up to $1,400 SV rebate
- Stiebel Eltron SHP-O German designed · 30 years in the Australian market
- Wilson Aqualux Melbourne-made tanks since 1930
Right choice for: homeowners balancing quality and budget.
Not worth the risk
For 14 years we've watched ultra-cheap heat pumps arrive with slick marketing and big warranty promises — then go quiet when support is needed, and eventually vanish altogether, leaving owners in the lurch. Even while they work, they tend to be annoyingly noisy — barely OK in summer, slow and inefficient in winter air. We don't sell them, and we recommend you don't take on the risk of installing these cheap heat pumps. Keep in mind some rebates are available only once — so while a very cheap heat pump might be a tempting gamble, it can become a painful cost when you're forced to buy again all too soon.
Seen a price that looks too good to be true? Call 1300 878 888 before you sign — we'll tell you what we know.
Hot water heat pumps Comparison table
A higher COP means less electricity for the same hot water. Read down each column and you'll finish on our take, brand by brand.
| Brand | |
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Wilson Aqualux | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System | Panasonic CO₂ | Sanden Eco Plus | Reclaim CO₂ Wi-Fi | Reclaim Eco R290 | Rapid/X6 & Dynamic/X8 | SHP-O Premium | Wilson Aqualux |
| Type | Split | Split | Split | All-in-one | All-in-one | All-in-one | Split |
| Refrigerant | CO₂ (R744) | CO₂ (R744) | CO₂ (R744) | R290 | R290 | R290 | R290 |
| COP† | 6.11 | 5.96 | 6.02 | 4.63 | 4.90 | 4.27 | 4.52 |
| Noise‡ | 37 dB(A) | 37 dB(A) | 37 dB(A) | — | 43 dB(A) | 47 dB(A) at 2 m | 39 dB(A) |
| Tank sizes | 250 / 315 / 400 L | 250 / 300 / 315 L | 250 / 315 / 400 L | 200 / 300 L | 225 / 268 L | 200 / 300 L | 160 / 250 / 315 L |
| Warranty§ | 10 yrs comprehensive parts & labour — heat pump, tank & controller | 10 yrs heat pump · 15 yrs pro-rata stainless tank | 10 yrs heat pump & controller · 15 yrs pro-rata stainless tank | 8 yrs parts & labour | 5 yrs parts & labour | 7 yrs cylinder · 5 yrs sealed system | 6 yrs heat pump · 10 yrs tank |
| Price | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $$ | $$ | $$ |
| Our take | “Premium CO₂ system from a trusted powerhouse global manufacturing company. Their standard 4 kW heat pump delivers fast hot water recovery, the 6 kW option even faster catering for homes with extreme hot water demand — build quality, quietness and controller are standout features.” | “The original CO₂ heat pump, tried & tested, installed by NewGen since 2012. Highly acclaimed for quietness, high COP and cold climate performance — ground-breaking product continues to be the top choice for those who want the best.” | “Australian company, CO₂ performance up with the best, smart Wi-Fi controller — Reclaim are known for great warranty support and their R290 all-in-one covers the mid range too.” | “Innovative Australian company with over 20 years of heat pump experience. One of the very best all-in-one systems in terms of quietness, reliability and operating modes — more compact than most integrated heat pumps and excellent value for money.” | “German engineering, strong local presence. Stiebel Eltron has been operating in Australia for over 30 years — they are well known for excellent service and support.” | “Tanks made in Melbourne since 1930. Sits between the budget imports and premium CO₂ — solid middle ground, and we're glad to back a local maker.” | |
| See Panasonic → | See Sanden → | See Reclaim → | See Aquatech → | See Stiebel Eltron → | See Wilson → | ||
† COPs are manufacturer figures measured under different standards and conditions (AS/NZS 5125, EN 16147, varying ambient temperatures) — treat them as a guide, not a drag race. We'll give you apples-to-apples running-cost numbers for your household. ‡ Noise figures also use different test distances and standards; all of these are quiet, and placement matters more than a couple of decibels. § Warranty terms vary between parts and labour and by state — see each brand page for the fine print. $ bands are relative installed-cost guides; your free fixed quote includes all applicable rebates.
Hot water heat pump FAQs
What is a hot water heat pump and how does it work?
It works like a refrigerator in reverse: a fan draws in ambient air, a natural refrigerant absorbs its heat, and a compressor concentrates that heat into your storage tank. The result is three to five times more heat energy out than electricity in — which is why a heat pump typically slashes water-heating costs compared with a conventional electric system, and further again when paired with solar PV.
Which heat pump is best in Melbourne?
There's no single best — there's the best for your household. Premium CO₂ splits lead on efficiency, quietness and cold-weather performance — they're what we've always advocated. Quality R290 splits and all-in-ones balance price and performance, with Australian-made options. The ultra-cheap end of the market we avoid entirely — and recommend you do too. The four questions above decide it — or skip the reading and call 1300 878 888.
What rebates are available in Victoria?
Up to three incentives can apply: federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) on eligible installations, Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU/VEEC) incentives for existing homes — strongest when replacing gas — and, for eligible households, the Solar Victoria hot water rebate ($1,000, or up to $1,400 for Australian-made systems). We confirm your eligibility and handle all the paperwork, typically as an up-front discount on your quote.
Do heat pumps work in Melbourne winters?
Yes — comfortably. The premium CO₂ splits deliver 63°C hot water with no backup element even at −10°C, far colder than Melbourne ever gets. The R290 systems are built for the cold too — the Wilson Aqualux split is rated to −25°C, and the Stiebel SHP-O Premium to −10°C with active defrost.
How much does a hot water heat pump cost installed?
It depends on the system, tank size and your site — and rebates change the answer significantly, sometimes by thousands. Rather than publish misleading from-prices, we use the $ / $$ / $$$ bands above and give every customer a free fixed quote with all rebates included: 1300 878 888.
Are heat pumps noisy?
The best heat pumps are extremely quiet at 37 dB(A) while the lesser quality cheap heat pumps can be annoyingly noisy. The premium CO₂ splits are the quietest and are routinely installed outside bedrooms.
Can I replace gas hot water with a heat pump?
Yes — gas-to-heat-pump changeovers are among the most common jobs we do, and Victoria's VEU program offers strong incentives for exactly this switch. Our licensed plumbers and electricians handle the changeover, and most are completed in a single day.
How long does installation take?
Typically a half day job, with hot water restored by the afternoon. Already out of hot water? We fast-track emergency replacements across Melbourne and Victoria — often installations are carried out the very next day.
Do you supply heat pumps to plumbers and builders?
Yes — we supply most of the brands on this page on a supply-only basis, with real Melbourne stock and expert sizing advice. Call 1300 878 888 for trade pricing, or see Trade & Builders.