For most Perth homes a storage format wins, and a heat pump is the most efficient one you can buy. Continuous flow suits small households and tight spaces. Water heating takes about 25% of a typical household’s energy, according to the Australian Government’s Your Home guide.
Key Takeaways
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How the Three Hot Water Formats Work
A storage system heats water in advance and holds it in an insulated tank. Continuous flow heats water only while a tap runs. A heat pump is a storage system with a smarter heater, moving warmth from the air at a COP of 3 to 5, against 0.95 for an electric element (YourHome).
Format | How it heats | Can it run out? | Supply needs | STC rebate |
Storage tank | Heats a full tank ahead | Yes, once drained | Single-phase or gas line | No |
Continuous flow | Heats water as it flows | No, but flow is limited | Large gas line or three-phase power | No |
Heat pump | Moves air heat into a tank | Yes, if undersized | Single-phase power | Yes |
When Continuous Flow Suits a Perth Home
Continuous flow suits one or two people, or a home with no room for a tank. It’s the most common gas water heater in Australia, according to the Australian Government’s energy.gov.au hot water guide, yet a standard unit serves only one or two outlets at once (YourHome).
The electric version draws up to 28 kW, needs three-phase power most older Perth homes lack, and can’t be timed to daytime solar. Gas itself is a fuel question, answered in our heat pump vs solar vs gas comparison.
When Storage or a Heat Pump Suits Better
A storage format suits most families of three or more, because a full tank handles back-to-back showers. Around 50% of Australian households run an electric storage tank (energy.gov.au), and a heat pump on the same footprint uses about 30% of the energy.
We’ve seen it all in WA homes, and the swap is simple. A Reclaim heat pump sits where the old tank stood, runs on single-phase power, and heats while rooftop solar peaks. It also earns certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, unlike a tank or continuous flow unit. Pick the size from our heat pump sizing guide for Perth homes, or start with our heat pump hot water systems explained hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are continuous flow hot water systems any good?
Yes, for the right home. They’re compact, never run out and suit one or two people. A standard unit struggles with two showers at once.
Is continuous flow cheaper to run than a storage tank?
Not always. An electric unit is 20 to 30% more efficient than an electric tank, but it can’t be scheduled onto off-peak or solar power, so it often costs more.
Can I replace my storage tank with continuous flow?
Not Sure Which Format Fits Your Home?
Speak to a real person, not a call centre. Tell us your household size and whether you have solar. Contact Ecoheat Energy for a no-pressure quote, or see what you pay after the WA rebate.
