Sanden Eco Plus
Hot Water Heat Pump
Supplied and installed across Melbourne and Victoria by NewGen Solar & Heat Pumps.
- Whisper quiet — just 37 dB
- CO₂ (R744) refrigerant technology
- 10-year parts & labour warranty
The Sanden Eco Plus is one of Australia’s most efficient hot water heat pumps — a Japanese-made system using natural CO₂ (R744) refrigerant to deliver a market-leading COP of 5.96, whisper-quiet 37 dB operation and a 10-year warranty.
Because CO₂ refrigerant holds its heating capacity in cold air, the Eco Plus delivers 63 °C hot water in ambient temperatures down to −10 °C — ideal for Melbourne winters. That efficiency is why heat pumps like the Eco Plus overtook solar hot water as the most energy-efficient, environmentally friendly way to heat water at home.
NewGen Solar & Heat Pumps has supplied and installed Sanden systems across Melbourne and Victoria since 2012 — and has been Sanden’s biggest dealer in Australia for more than seven years running.
About Sanden
Sanden is a Japanese-owned global leader in heating and cooling technology, with over 50 years’ experience manufacturing air-conditioning compressors for the world’s carmakers. That heat-transfer expertise led to the Eco Plus hot water heat pump — designed and built in-house at Sanden’s factories in Japan.
Why Choose the Sanden Eco Plus?
- Cut hot water energy use by up to 80%. With a COP of 5.96, the Eco Plus draws just 0.84 kW of electricity to generate around 5 kW of heat — roughly a fifth of the energy a conventional electric hot water system uses.
- Up to 50% faster heat recovery than typical heat pumps. A full 315-litre reheat takes around four hours; in daily use it typically runs just 2.5 hours, replenishing only the hot water you’ve used.
- Class-leading warranty: 10 years parts & labour on the heat pump, 15 years pro-rata warranty on the stainless steel tank.
- Whisper quiet at 37 dB — quieter than a library, so neither you nor your neighbours will notice it running.
- Simple split-system installation by a plumber and electrician — no refrigeration mechanic required, and no backup element or tank coils to maintain or replace.
- Nothing on your roof. The heat pump draws its energy from the air, leaving your roof clear for solar PV or clean lines.
- Smart running costs. The automatic heating cycle and inverter compressor suit off-peak tariffs or daytime solar self-consumption — lower bills and lower emissions.
Why CO₂ Refrigerant Matters
- Refrigerants matter. Australia has thankfully all but phased out environmentally harmful synthetics like R410A and R134a, and most heat pumps sold today use R290 (propane) — far kinder to the environment, but flammable, requiring careful handling at end of life, and prone to losing performance in winter temperatures.
- The Sanden Eco Plus uses natural CO₂ (R744) instead: a GWP of just 1, non-flammable, and no special end-of-life handling — and it thrives in the cold rather than fading. It extracts heat from the air down to −10 °C and delivers 63 °C hot water in a single heating pass, no backup element required — ideal for replacing a gas or electric tank in any Victorian home, and a natural fit for low-energy new builds where every kilowatt counts.
How Does The Sanden Eco Plus Heat Pump Work?
The Sanden Eco Plus works like a refrigerator in reverse — it draws heat energy from the surrounding air and transfers it to the water in your tank.
A fan pushes air across an evaporator containing natural CO₂ (R744) refrigerant, which absorbs heat from the air. A compressor raises the refrigerant’s pressure and temperature, and the hot refrigerant then passes through a heat exchanger, heating the water before it’s pumped into the storage tank. The electricity needed to run this cycle is a fraction of what a conventional electric hot water system consumes.
The system arrives as two components — the Japanese-made heat pump unit and the stainless steel storage tank — making on-site handling and installation easy, with the flexibility to position the tank up to 15 metres from the heat pump. With tank sizes from 250 to 315 litres and fast recovery, there’s a configuration to suit households from small to very large.
Real-World Savings: Sanden Eco Plus vs Conventional Electric
One Sanden customer’s electricity records tell the story. After replacing a conventional electric element hot water system with a Sanden heat pump — a family of four using off-peak hot water — their hot water electricity usage fell by approximately 80% year on year, and their costs fell by 77%, despite switching to a more expensive tariff in the same period.
With hot water typically the largest single energy user in a Victorian home, savings on that scale pay back the system quickly — especially with rebates reducing the upfront cost.
Product Information
Heat Pump Unit (GAU-A45HPD)
- COP of 5.96 — dramatically reduced energy use and emissions
- Up to 50% faster heat recovery than typical heat pumps — a full 315-litre reheat (17 °C to 63 °C) takes around four hours at 20 °C ambient, though in daily use it typically runs just 2.5 hours, since it only replenishes the hot water you’ve used
- Natural CO₂ (R744) refrigerant — non-flammable, GWP of 1
- Simple installation by a plumber and electrician, with no refrigeration mechanic required
- Automatic heating cycle, ideal for off-peak power or solar self-consumption
- Fitted with in-built freeze protection, making it suitable for all climates (from -10ºC to +43ºC)
- No backup element required
- Whisper-quiet 37 dB operation
- Weather-resistant construction for outdoor installation
- Made in Japan with a 10-year warranty on the heat pump
Stainless Steel Tank
- 316 marine-grade stainless steel cylinder in three sizes: 250 L, 300 L and 315 L
- Fully insulated for minimal heat loss
- Mains pressure-rated
- Safety pressure and temperature relief valve
- 15-year pro-rata parts & labour warranty
Sanden Eco Plus specifications
Every Sanden Eco® Plus system pairs one Japanese-made GAU‑A45HPD CO₂ heat pump with your choice of marine-grade stainless steel tank — 250, 300 or 315 litres. The figures below are the current D‑series specifications.
Heat pump — GAU-A45HPD
| Specification | GAU-A45HPD |
|---|---|
| Weight | 48 kg |
| Dimensions (W × H × D, incl. brackets) | 898 × 725 × 362 mm |
| Heat output (at 32.45 °C ambient / 18.74 °C cold water inlet) | 4.99 kW |
| Electric input (same conditions) | 0.84 kW |
| C.O.P. (same conditions)^ | 5.96 |
| Maximum heat output | 6.0 kW |
| Maximum rated power input | 2.5 kW |
| Refrigerant | CO₂ (R744) |
| Compressor | Scroll, with inverter control technology |
| Water temperature setting (nominal, from heat pump unit) | 63 °C |
| Electrical supply | 240 V / 50 Hz / single phase |
| Circuit | 15 A |
| Operating noise level (measured 1 m from unit) | 37 dB(A) |
| Ambient air operating temperature | −10 to +43 °C |
| Maximum operating water pressure | 850 kPa |
| Water connections (inlet & outlet) | ½″ BSP, 12.7 mm |
| Warranty | 10 years (parts & labour) |
Storage tank — Tall Slim stainless steel range
| Specification | SAN-250SAQD 250 L | SAN-300SAQD 300 L | SAN-315SAQD 315 L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | 250 L | 300 L | 315 L |
| Suits household | 1–3 people | 3–5 people | 4–6+ people |
| Height (H) | 1635 mm | 1905 mm | 2000 mm |
| Diameter (D) | 580 mm | 580 mm | 580 mm |
| Hot water outlet & PTR valve (A) | 1430 mm | 1705 mm | 1800 mm |
| Sensor port (C) | 985 mm | 1215 mm | 1290 mm |
| Cold water inlet / heat pump flow (B) | 250 mm | 250 mm | 245 mm |
| Dry weight | 47 kg | 52 kg | 57 kg |
| Inner tank | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Colour | Surfmist body & Ironstone ends | Surfmist body & Ironstone ends | Surfmist body & Ironstone ends |
| Tank relief valve (PTR) setting | 700 kPa | 700 kPa | 700 kPa |
| Expansion control valve (ECV) setting | 600 kPa | 600 kPa | 600 kPa |
| Max. mains pressure (with ECV) | 500 kPa | 500 kPa | 500 kPa |
| Inlet water operating pressure | 500 kPa | 500 kPa | 500 kPa |
| Adjustable tempering valve | 1400 kPa | 1400 kPa | 1400 kPa |
| Hot & cold connection | Rp 20 (¾″) female | Rp 20 (¾″) female | Rp 20 (¾″) female |
| WaterMark licence no. | WM-022333 | WM-022333 | WM-022333 |
| Tank warranty | 15 yr pro-rata | 15 yr pro-rata | 15 yr pro-rata |
All dimensions in millimetres. Materials and specifications subject to change without notice. ^C.O.P. tested under AS/NZS 5125.1:2014. WaterMark Licence No. WM-022333. Warranty terms & conditions apply; tank warranty excludes WA.
Choose your Sanden Eco Plus system
Three complete systems — the same Japanese-made CO₂ heat pump paired with your choice of marine-grade stainless steel tank.
- TankSAN-250SAQD marine-grade stainless steel
- Height × diameter1635 × 580 mm
- Tank warranty15-yr pro-rata parts & labour
- TankSAN-300SAQD marine-grade stainless steel
- Height × diameter1905 × 580 mm
- Tank warranty15-yr pro-rata parts & labour
- TankSAN-315SAQD marine-grade stainless steel
- Height × diameter2000 × 580 mm
- Tank warranty15-yr pro-rata parts & labour
- COP 5.96
- Whisper quiet — 37 dB(A)
- R744 (CO₂) refrigerant
- 898 × 725 × 362 mm · 48 kg
- 240 V / 50 Hz / 15 A single phase
- WiFi controller included
- 10-year parts & labour warranty
Specified an older Sanden model? It’s been superseded
Sanden model numbers are often specified in building plans years before installation. If your plans, or your plumber’s quote, reference an older Sanden code, the table below shows the current equivalent — same premium CO₂ platform, updated with a WiFi controller and current warranty terms. The 160-litre GAUS-160FQS has been discontinued; for smaller households we now install the 250-litre GAUS-250FQTD. Call 1300 878 888 and we’ll confirm the right current model for your specification.
| Old model code (superseded) | Current equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GAUS-250FQTS | GAUS-250FQTD | 250 L — D-series adds WiFi controller |
| GAUS-300FQTS | GAUS-300FQTD | 300 L |
| GAUS-315FQTS | GAUS-315FQTD | 315 L |
| GAUS-250FQS | GAUS-250FQTD | earlier generation 250 L |
| GAUS-300FQS | GAUS-300FQTD | earlier generation 300 L |
| GAUS-315FQS | GAUS-315FQTD | earlier generation 315 L |
| GAUS-160FQS (160 L) | Discontinued | nearest current system: GAUS-250FQTD |
| GAU-A45HPA / GS3-45HPA-AU / GAU-A45HPC heat pump units | GAU-A45HPD | same kW CO₂ platform, D adds WiFi enabled |
Sanden Eco Plus in Melbourne — your questions answered
How much does a Sanden Eco Plus cost installed in Melbourne?
The installed price depends on the tank size (250 L, 300 L or 315 L) and installation parameters, with up to three rebate schemes reducing the final cost for eligible households. Most Sanden Eco Plus systems come in between $4,400 and $6,900 fully installed after applicable rebates. Call 1300 878 888 for a free fixed quote including all applicable rebates.
What warranty does the Sanden Eco Plus have?
The current D-series heat pump unit (GAU-A45HPD) carries a 10-year parts & labour warranty, and the marine-grade stainless steel tank carries a 15-year pro-rata parts & labour warranty — class-leading cover for a hot water system.
Does the Sanden Eco Plus work in Melbourne winters?
Yes. Using CO₂ (R744) refrigerant, it extracts heat from the air down to −10 °C and delivers 63 °C hot water in a single heating pass, with built-in freeze protection — no backup element needed, even on Melbourne’s coldest mornings.
Which tank size do I need?
As a guide: 250 L suits 1–3 people, 300 L suits 3–5, and 315 L suits larger households of 4–6+. The heat pump’s fast recovery means a well-sized tank rarely runs out. We confirm sizing when we quote.
What do the model numbers GAUS-250FQTD, GAUS-300FQTD and GAUS-315FQTD mean?
Each is a complete system: the GAU-A45HPD CO₂ heat pump paired with a 250, 300 or 315-litre stainless steel tank. The D-series supersedes the earlier FQTS models and includes a WiFi controller for timer setting, energy monitoring and diagnostics.
My plans specify an older Sanden model like GAUS-315FQTS — what do I order now?
That model has been superseded by the GAUS-315FQTD — the same 315-litre CO₂ system, updated with a WiFi controller and 10-year heat pump warranty. Every older GAUS code maps to a current D-series equivalent, and the discontinued 160-litre GAUS-160FQS is now covered by the 250-litre system. Send us the code on your plans and we’ll confirm the current model and price.
What rebates apply to a Sanden Eco Plus in Victoria?
Up to three schemes: federal STCs (the Sanden’s ultra-high efficiency earns among the highest STC values available), VEECs under Victorian Energy Upgrades for existing homes, and the Solar Homes hot water rebate for eligible households. NewGen confirms eligibility and applies rebates as an upfront discount.
Who installs Sanden heat pumps in Melbourne?
NewGen Solar & Heat Pumps has been supplying and installing Sanden systems across Melbourne and Victoria since 2012 — and we’ve been Sanden’s biggest dealer in Australia for more than seven years. We also service and repair existing Sanden units.
How long does installation take?
Most replacements are completed in a single visit by our licensed plumbers and electricians, with hot water restored the same day. The split-system design needs no refrigeration mechanic, and the tank can sit up to 15 metres from the heat pump unit.
Sanden Eco Plus or Panasonic CO₂ — which should I choose?
Both are premium Japanese-made CO₂ systems we install every week. The right choice depends on your site, household size and budget — call 1300 878 888 and we’ll recommend the better fit, or compare them on our Panasonic page.
Can I run the Sanden on off-peak power or solar PV?
Yes. The automatic heating cycle and WiFi timer make it ideal for off-peak tariffs or daytime self-consumption from your solar PV, cutting running costs further.