Hot Water Systems in Flat Tops

Hot water systems in Flat Tops

In Flat Tops, more locals are rethinking their hot water system and moving away from old, power‑hungry gas and electric units. With most homes here being separate houses and an average household size of around 2.3 people, steady hot water demand adds up on the power bill. At the same time, many households are on modest incomes, so cutting running costs without sacrificing comfort is a big win.

Flat Tops is well suited to efficient hot water upgrades. The Dungog weather station shows an average annual solar exposure of about 16.5 MJ/m² per day – roughly 4.6 kWh/m² of sunshine daily – which is ideal for a solar hot water system or a modern heat pump hot water system that sips electricity. For homeowners who have already invested in rooftop solar, switching from gas hot water to a solar hot water heating system or an electric hot water system paired with a timer is a logical next step. Over a year, a well‑designed energy efficient hot water system can save a typical family hundreds of dollars in hot water energy use compared to an older unit.

Across the 2420 postcode’s 1,600‑plus occupied dwellings, we are seeing growing interest in the most efficient hot water system options, particularly among owner‑occupiers who want to future‑proof their homes and reduce reliance on bottled or mains gas. Many households are weighing up heat pump vs solar hot water, or comparing solar hot water vs electric hot water to find the best fit for their roof space, budget, and shower habits.

When it comes to system sizes and savings, most Flat Tops homes suit a 250–315 litre hot water installation for families, or a smaller unit for couples and singles. Efficient hot water systems installed in the area include both heat pumps and solar hot water. Brands like Rheem heat pump hot water units and Rheem solar hot water systems are popular for reliability, while Sanden heat pump and Rinnai solar hot water options are often chosen for very low running costs. For many households, the best heat pump hot water system is the one that matches their tariff and solar, rather than just the biggest tank on the market.

Typical bill savings in Flat Tops look like this:

• Old electric hot water to heat pump hot water system: save roughly $350–$700 per year. • Gas hot water to heat pump hot water: save around $250–$600 per year. • Gas hot water to solar hot water system: save about $200–$600 per year. • Old electric to modern electric hot water installation with rooftop solar: save roughly $200–$500 per year.

These savings depend on usage, tariffs and whether you use timers or solar‑diversion controls, but they give a realistic idea of what is possible.

Efficient hot water is already taking off locally. In the 2420 postcode there have been 316 efficient hot water installations, mainly heat pump hot water installation and solar hot water installation jobs. Installations ramped up sharply around 2009–2011, with more than 40 systems per year at the peak, and while numbers are now steadier, there is a clear ongoing trend towards electrification and lower running costs. Recent years still show new systems going in every year, reflecting a steady stream of replacements, hot water repair jobs being upgraded to new units, and solar hot water tank replacement when older systems reach the end of their life.

Hot Water Rebates, Tariffs & Savings

For Flat Tops households considering a hot water upgrade, there is strong support from both Federal and NSW programs. Australian Government Small‑scale Technology Certificates (STCs) apply to eligible heat pump hot water system and solar hot water heating system installs, effectively working as an upfront discount off the solar hot water price / cost or heat pump hot water price / cost. On top of that, NSW schemes can provide a heat pump hot water rebate or solar hot water rebate for qualifying homes, and there are also electric hot water system rebate offers in some programs when you replace old gas. Together, these hot water rebate NSW incentives can reduce the hot water system price / cost by a substantial percentage, cutting payback times to just a few years for many households.

When you combine rebates with smart use of off‑peak tariffs, timers, or solar‑diversion so your electric hot water system heats mainly when the sun is shining, the ongoing savings can be significant. Many Flat Tops homeowners see hundreds of dollars per year off their bills after moving to an energy efficient hot water system, especially when switching from electric hot water vs gas hot water to a modern all‑electric setup.

If your current unit is older, noisy, running out of hot water or needing frequent hot water repair, it is a good time to check whether your Flat Tops home is ready for a heat pump hot water installation, solar hot water repair and upgrade, or a new electric hot water installation. Working with experienced hot water installers like us, who specialise in heat pump hot water, solar hot water tank replacement and efficient electric systems, helps you choose the best hot water system Australia offers for your needs. With strong local solar exposure, a community that values sustainability, and generous incentives, upgrading your hot water NSW system is one of the simplest ways to cut bills, reduce emissions and future‑proof your home. Reach out to our trusted local experts for personalised advice tailored to Flat Tops and your household.