Shopping for a heat pump hot water system and struggling to tell the good ones from the rest? You’re not alone. Every brand claims to be the most efficient, the quietest, the best value going around.
We install these systems across Perth every week, so here’s our honest 2026 buyer’s guide: the specs that matter, the two units we stake our name on, and how to pick the right one for your home.
Key Takeaways:
- The best heat pump systems use around 70% less energy than electric storage (Australian Government, energy.gov.au).
- Judge a system on five things: efficiency, refrigerant, noise, tank size, and warranty, not the brochure.
- We install two proven units in Perth: the Reclaim (CO2, 37dB, 10-year warranty) and the Apricus (R290, compact 260L).
- Most Perth homes qualify for STC rebates that take an estimated $800 to $1,200 off the installed price.
What Makes a Heat Pump Hot Water System the Best?
The best heat pump hot water system isn’t the one with the flashiest brochure. It’s the one that heats enough water for your household, runs cheaply on your tariff, stays quiet on a suburban block, and comes with a warranty that backs it for years. Five factors decide that.
| What to check | Why it matters |
| Efficiency (COP) | Higher efficiency means lower running costs on every heating cycle. |
| Refrigerant | CO2 and R290 are both low-emission and perform well in Perth’s climate. |
| Noise (dB rating) | Decides where the unit can safely sit on a suburban block. |
| Tank size | Match capacity to how many people live in the home. |
| Warranty | A long warranty on the tank and compressor signals a system built to last. |
Still weighing up how the technology works? Our guide to how heat pump hot water systems work walks through the process in plain English.
The Systems We Install (and Why)
We’ve chosen to install two systems rather than stock every brand on the shelf: the Reclaim heat pump and the Apricus hot water heat pump. Both are efficient, both qualify for the STC rebate, and both hold up year-round in Perth. Where they differ is refrigerant, noise, and tank options, which is what helps you pick between them.
| Feature | Reclaim (CO2) | Apricus (R290) |
| Refrigerant | CO2 (R744), GWP 1 | R290, GWP 3 |
| Noise | 37dB | 43dB |
| Tank sizes | 160, 250, 315, 400L | 260L |
| System type | Split (outdoor unit + tank) | Integrated (all-in-one) |
| Warranty | 10 yr tank + compressor | 6 yr tank, parts, labour |
| WiFi + STC eligible | Yes | Yes |
Source: Reclaim Energy and Apricus product specifications, 2026.
You’ll come across other names while you shop, brands like Sanden, iStore and Rheem among them. They all make capable units. We settled on the Reclaim and Apricus because they’ve proven themselves in the homes we look after, and we can stand behind the warranties.
Reclaim vs Apricus: Which Suits Your Home?
For most Perth homes, the Reclaim is our first pick. It’s the quietest system we install at 37dB; the CO2 refrigerant has a global warming potential of just 1, and the 10-year warranty on the tank and compressor is one of the strongest in the country.
The Apricus earns its place when space is tight, or the budget is firm. It’s an integrated 260L unit, so the tank and heat pump share one footprint, which can simplify a courtyard or side-access install.
For the full rundown, read our honest Reclaim heat pump review. If noise or placement is your worry, our guide to quiet heat pump systems covers dB ratings and positioning. Not sure on tank size? Our heat pump hot water sizing guide matches capacity to household size.
What It Costs to Run, and the Rebate
Running cost is where a heat pump earns back its price. On Synergy’s off-peak and solar-friendly tariffs, a heat pump can run for as low as $42 a year, against up to $1,459 for old electric storage (Reclaim Energy, 2026). The figures below are estimates and vary with your tariff and usage.
| System | Annual running cost (est.) |
| Heat pump hot water | $42 – $116/yr |
| Gas hot water | $350 – $500/yr |
| Standard electric storage | $1,200 – $1,459/yr |
Source: Reclaim Energy and Ecoheat Energy install data, Synergy tariff rates 2026. Figures are estimates only.
The federal STC rebate also takes an estimated $800 to $1,200 off the up-front price for most Perth installs, applied at the point of sale. Your final price always comes in a written quote. For the full breakdown, see our heat pump hot water running cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best heat pump hot water system in Australia?
There’s no single winner for every home. For efficiency, low noise and warranty, the Reclaim CO2 system is our top pick for most Perth households. For a compact, budget-friendly option, the Apricus 260L is strong. The best system is the one sized and placed right for your home.
Are heat pump hot water systems worth it?
For most Perth homes, yes. They use around 70% less energy than electric storage, which is where the savings come from. With STC rebates lowering the up-front cost and running costs as low as $42 a year, most households recover the difference within a few years.
Which is better, a CO2 or R290 heat pump?
Both are low-emission refrigerants that suit Perth. CO2 (in the Reclaim) has a global warming potential of 1 and runs very quietly. R290 (in the Apricus) is compact and efficient. The right choice comes down to space, budget and noise, not the refrigerant alone.
Do heat pump hot water systems work in Perth winters?
Yes. Perth’s average winter minimum sits around 7.9 degrees, and the systems we install run at full rated efficiency in that range. Heat pumps draw warmth from the surrounding air, and there’s plenty to draw on even on a cold morning.
