Hot Water Systems in Ultimo
The 2007 postcode, covering Ultimo and Broadway and surrounding areas, is home to around 3,536 households. With many households already generating their own clean solar power, many are now looking at how they can make their entire home energy system more efficient, with hot water heating often the logical next step.
With hot water roughly accounting for a quarter of the average home's energy use, switching to an energy-efficient hot water system is one of the biggest opportunities for savings. Across Ultimo and the 2007 area, 9 homeowners have already switched from older electric storage and gas hot water systems to solar hot water or air-source heat pump systems that draw on clean, renewable power while also claiming the hot water rebates to reduce their hot water heater system cost. These highly-efficient systems not only help cut energy bills but also reduce carbon emissions and improve overall energy independence.
With Ultimo's climate delivering an average of 4.6 kWh/m² per day, conditions are ideal for hot water systems and hybrid heat pump systems that harness both sunlight and ambient air temperature to heat water efficiently all year round. When paired with existing rooftop solar power or solar batteries, the result is hot water that costs far less to run and is powered by clean, self-generated energy.
Hot Water Ranking
Postcode 2007
579th
State Wide
2357th
Australia Wide
Hot Water Installation Ultimo
Estimated daily energy to heat household water, comparing a resistive electric element with a high-efficiency heat pump. Demand shifts month-to-month using local climate patterns.
Energy Efficient Hot Water & Solar Power Ultimo
* Data from the Bureau of Meteorology. Closest station: N/A.
Solar Powered Hot WaterUltimo
Illustrates how a typical 6.6 kW rooftop solar system can offset the daytime energy demand of a COP 5 heat pump hot water unit.
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Heat Pump Hot Water Systems for Ultimo
Compare heat pump hot water systems suitable for Ultimo's climate. These energy-efficient systems are designed to work in local temperature conditions and can significantly reduce your hot water energy costs.
Community Hot Water Statistics - Ultimo, 2007
Hot Water Demographics - Ultimo
Based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census (ABS), Ultimo has around 3,536 private dwellings, home to approximately 6,102 people. With an average household size of 2.1 people, and around 50 litres of hot water used per person each day in Australia, Ultimo households use approximately 105 litres of hot water daily, equating to a massive 0.4 million litres of hot water used across the suburb every single day.
Other census insights reinforce Ultimo's suitability for energy-saving improvements like energy-efficient or solar-powered hot water. The Ultimo community is home to 244 couple families with children and 64 one-parent families, meaning a large proportion of households face substantial hot water demand. With 358 homes owned with a mortgage and 364 owned outright, many residents also have the homeownership and growing equity that make switching to efficient hot water systems a practical way to lower expenses.
Ultimo is converting hot water demand to efficient systems faster than many peers, with 0.3% of dwellings already upgraded.
Hot water systems in Ultimo
In busy, apartment-heavy Ultimo, hot water is something you only notice when it goes wrong or the bill jumps. With power prices rising, more locals are looking at an energy efficient hot water system – whether that’s a modern electric hot water system, a heat pump hot water system or a compact solar hot water system – to keep showers comfortable without blowing the budget.
Ultimo’s average household size is about 2.1 people, with more than 2,900 dwellings and a big share of renters alongside owners paying a median rent of around $500 a week or a mortgage of about $2,500 a month. In that context, cutting running costs from hot water makes a real difference to cash flow. Upgrading from older gas or resistive electric units to a more efficient hot water system is a logical next step, with many homes able to shave hundreds of dollars a year off bills. Ultimo also benefits from strong sunlight, with mean daily solar exposure around 16.5 MJ/m² – roughly 4.6 kWh per square metre per day – which supports both heat pump hot water and solar hot water heating system performance, especially in buildings that already have rooftop solar.
In the 2007 postcode, most people live in apartments rather than separate houses, so compact systems and shared plant rooms are common. Hot water energy use can be one of the largest single loads in a small unit, which is why the most efficient hot water system you can fit into the space – often a heat pump hot water system or well-controlled electric hot water system – is now in demand. Brands like Rheem, Rinnai and Sanden heat pump units are popular across Sydney, along with solar solutions such as Rheem solar hot water, Rinnai solar hot water and Chromagen solar hot water where roof access allows.
For typical Ultimo households, realistic annual bill savings from an upgrade might look like:
• Old electric to heat pump hot water installation: $350–$700 per year • Gas to heat pump: $250–$600 per year • Gas to solar hot water installation: $250–$550 per year • Old electric to modern electric hot water installation with solar: $200–$450 per year
There have already been 9 efficient hot water installations recorded in Ultimo, combining heat pump and solar hot water installation projects. The busiest year was 2008 with three systems installed, followed by steady one-off upgrades in 2002, 2004, 2011, 2012 and 2019. While the numbers are still modest for such a dense suburb, they reflect a growing interest in electrification, lower running costs and moving towards the best hot water system Australia has to offer for compact city living.
When it comes to hot water NSW incentives, there is strong support for efficient upgrades. The Australian Government’s Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) reduce the effective solar hot water price / cost and heat pump hot water price / cost, and NSW programmes can provide a solar hot water rebate or heat pump hot water rebate for eligible properties. There may also be an electric hot water system rebate available when replacing inefficient systems. For many Ultimo owners, these hot water rebate NSW incentives can cut the upfront hot water system price / cost by a substantial percentage and shorten payback periods to just a few years, especially when paired with rooftop solar and smart timers or solar diversion controls. Compared with electric hot water vs gas hot water, efficient electric options like Sanden heat pump or Rheem heat pump hot water can dramatically reduce usage, while solar hot water vs electric hot water can further trim bills where roof space is available.
Whether you need hot water repair on a tired unit, a solar hot water tank replacement in a strata building, or a full electric hot water installation in a new all-electric home, it pays to compare heat pump vs solar hot water carefully. The best heat pump hot water system or solar hot water heating system for you will depend on roof access, apartment layout, strata rules and your budget.
If you are in Ultimo and your current unit is ageing, noisy or expensive to run, now is a smart time to look at an energy efficient hot water system upgrade. Talk to experienced hot water installation and hot water repair specialists who understand local buildings, tariffs and rebates, and can guide you through options like solar hot water repair, Chromagen or Rinnai solar hot water, or a high-performance Sanden heat pump. With Ultimo’s strong solar resource and growing focus on sustainability, efficient hot water systems can cut emissions, reduce bills and future-proof your home or investment – connect with trusted local experts for personalised advice with us.