Solar & Heat Pump Hot Water Systems

Perth people get slammed with sunshine most the year. We all know that. What you might not think about is how much that affects what you pay to heat water. Solar systems and heat pumps both work off that free energy—sunshine or just warm air—so the bit of your electricity bill that goes to hot water drops way down. Yeah, the install costs more than a basic tank swap. But once you run the numbers on running costs and factor in the federal rebates, the maths comes together faster than you'd think.

Our crew's licensed plumbers, based in Canning Vale, and we put these systems in and look after them right across Perth's south-east. Happy to sit down with you, explain how it all works, and give you a real picture of what savings you're talking about.

How solar hot water works

So you've got collector panels on your roof. They soak up heat from the sun, and that heat moves down into a storage tank where your water sits waiting. Perth gets so many clear days that the sun does most the heavy lifting for free. Two main types you'll see around the traps.

• Thermosiphon (close-coupled) systems have the tank mounted on the roof directly above the collectors, using natural circulation with no pump.
• Split systems keep the tank on the ground and use a small pump to circulate water up to the roof collectors, which many homeowners prefer for looks and roof loading.

Thing is, the sun has its off days, and maybe you've got the whole family over and people are showering back-to-back. That's where the booster kicks in—it's either electric or gas—topping things up so you're never standing under cold water. The amount of energy you're actually buying from the grid to run that booster though stays pretty small.

How heat pump hot water works

Best way to picture a heat pump is a fridge running backwards. Rather than pushing heat out the back, it grabs warmth from the air around it and uses that to heat water in the tank. Still runs on electricity, but because it's just moving existing heat rather than creating it from nothing, it only chews through about a third of the power a standard electric element would. No roof collectors needed. They run day and night. For houses where the roof is tiny or covered in shade from the neighbour's big gum tree, heat pumps are a genuinely strong pick. Perth's winters are mild enough that these units cope just fine.

STC rebates and savings

Both setups qualify for federal Small-scale Technology Certificates—STCs—under the Renewable Energy Target. Think of them like a discount voucher. The certificates have a dollar amount attached that usually gets knocked straight off the purchase price, which makes a real dent in what you pay upfront. How many you get depends on the unit, where you live, and what the market's paying at the time.

But where you really win is ongoing bills. Households that swap out an old electric tank often see their water heating energy drop by a massive amount—and heating water is a pretty big piece of your total power bill. Add those savings up over the life of the system and it pays for itself several times over. We've got a full guide on getting the most out of solar hot water rebates in WA if you want to dig into the details.

Solar vs heat pump: which suits you?

Honestly, both are excellent choices for low running costs. If you've got a north-facing roof copping sun all day, solar usually wins. A heat pump's perfect when you don't have the roof space or there's trees blocking most of the light. We look at your specific situation and recommend what makes sense for you, not just flog you whatever happens to be sitting in the van. Keen to see how they compare to old-school options? Our electric vs gas vs solar hot water guide breaks it all down.

Brands we install

We work with the big names you've probably heard of—Solahart, Rheem, Dux and Bosch. Solahart is one of those Australian success stories, built specifically for our harsh climate. Rheem and Dux both have solid ranges in both solar and heat pump models. We'll point you to something reliable and well-supported that fits what you need and what you can spend.

Installation, servicing and licensing

There's plumbing involved, and often some electrical and roof work too, so in Western Australia you need a licensed plumber to do it. Any electrical bits need a licensed electrician. You also need the install done properly to qualify for the STC rebates. We handle the whole thing—pulling out your old system, putting in the new one, and even helping sort out the certificate paperwork.

Getting these systems serviced every now and then keeps them running efficiently and protects the tank from wearing out early. We can fold that into your general maintenance plumbing schedule if you like.

Making the switch worthwhile

If your current hot water system is getting on, that's usually when upgrading makes the most sense. You're going to have to spend money on hot water eventually anyway. Might as well get the efficiency gains paying you back from day one. If your existing tank is ten years or older or just starting to give you grief, it is worth getting us out to have a look before it packs up completely. That way you can plan the change instead of scrambling when it fails on a cold morning.

A few things to think about. Solar systems need a section of roof that faces the right way and isn't covered by shade, and if you're going close-coupled, that roof needs to handle the weight of a full tank of water. Heat pumps need a bit of clear air space around the unit to breathe, and they do put out a low hum, so where you put it matters. We check all of that when we come out, so the system we recommend is one that'll actually work properly at your place.

Ready to cut your hot water bills and make the most of Perth's sunshine? Call our licensed Canning Vale plumbers or request a quote today. We'll assess your home, explain the rebates, and give you upfront pricing with no surprises.

Frequently asked questions