Hot Water Systems in Highland Plains
The 4401 postcode, covering Highland Plains, Kings Siding, Acland, Aubigny, Balgowan, Biddeston, Boodua, Devon Park, Greenwood, Kelvinhaugh, Mount Irving, Muldu, Oakey, Rosalie Plains, Sabine, Silverleigh and Yargullen and surrounding areas, is home to around 2,261 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 Highland Plains and the 4401 area, 242 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 Highland Plains's climate delivering an average of 5.4 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 4401
196th
State Wide
913rd
Australia Wide
Hot Water Installation Highland Plains
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 Highland Plains
* Data from the Bureau of Meteorology. Closest station: N/A.
Solar Powered Hot WaterHighland Plains
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 Highland Plains
Compare heat pump hot water systems suitable for Highland Plains'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 - Highland Plains, 4401
Hot Water Demographics - Highland Plains
Based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census (ABS), Highland Plains has around 2,261 private dwellings, home to approximately 5,256 people. With an average household size of 2.5 people, and around 50 litres of hot water used per person each day in Australia, Highland Plains households use approximately 125 litres of hot water daily, equating to a massive 0.3 million litres of hot water used across the suburb every single day.
Other census insights reinforce Highland Plains's suitability for energy-saving improvements like energy-efficient or solar-powered hot water. The Highland Plains community is home to 387 couple families with children and 196 one-parent families, meaning a large proportion of households face substantial hot water demand. With 597 homes owned with a mortgage and 708 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.
Highland Plains is converting hot water demand to efficient systems faster than many peers, with 10.7% of dwellings already upgraded.
Hot water systems in Highland Plains
Across Highland Plains and the wider 4401 area, more households are rethinking their hot water system and moving to energy efficient options like a heat pump hot water system, solar hot water system and modern electric hot water system. With most homes here being separate houses and an average household size of around 2.5 people, hot water demand is steady – and so are power bills. Median household income sits near $1,291 a week, so every saving on running costs helps.
The local climate is perfect for an efficient hot water upgrade. The nearby Acland weather station records an average annual solar exposure of about 19.3 MJ/m² a day, or roughly 5.4 kWh/m² per day, which is excellent for both a solar hot water heating system and a high performance heat pump hot water system. For many Highland Plains families, swapping an older gas or electric unit for an energy efficient hot water system can trim a big chunk off their electricity use. Over the life of the unit, the annual hot water energy savings can easily add up to thousands of dollars.
In the 4401 postcode, there are more than 2,000 dwellings, with strong levels of home ownership – over 1,300 homes are owned outright or with a mortgage. That makes hot water installation upgrades a logical investment, especially for families and older residents planning to stay put. Hot water can account for 20–30% of household energy use, so choosing the most efficient hot water system is one of the quickest ways to cut bills without changing your lifestyle.
Typical annual bill savings for local upgrades look like:
• Old electric hot water to heat pump hot water system: $350–$700 per year • Gas hot water to heat pump: $250–$600 per year • Gas hot water to solar hot water system: $300–$650 per year • Old electric to modern electric hot water installation backed by rooftop solar: $200–$500 per year
Brands like Rheem, Rinnai, Sanden and Thermann are popular in Highland Plains, with options ranging from rheem solar hot water and rheem heat pump hot water through to rinnai solar hot water and premium sanden heat pump units. Many locals ask about the best hot water system Australia wide and the best heat pump hot water system for our climate; the answer often comes down to your roof space, budget, and whether you already have solar power.
There have already been 242 efficient hot water installations (heat pump and solar hot water installation combined) recorded across the postcode, with strong years around 2009–2012 and steady activity continuing through to 2024. This ongoing pattern of hot water installation shows growing interest in electrification, lower running costs and cleaner hot water QLD wide, with Highland Plains quietly doing its bit.
When comparing heat pump vs solar hot water, both can be the most efficient hot water system for different homes. A heat pump hot water installation works well even on cloudy days and can be timed to run when your solar is producing. A solar hot water installation with a quality solar hot water tank replacement can deliver very low running costs if your roof has good north-facing exposure. For some properties, a well-sized electric hot water installation paired with rooftop solar offers a simple, low-maintenance option, especially with an electric hot water system rebate available in some programs.
Hot Water Rebates, Tariffs & Savings
For Highland Plains homeowners looking at hot water repair or full replacement, there is strong interest in replacing ageing gas units with either a heat pump hot water system, a solar hot water system or a new efficient electric hot water system. Federal incentives such as Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) apply to eligible heat pump and solar hot water systems, effectively acting as an upfront discount. On top of this, state-based hot water rebate QLD programs may offer a heat pump hot water rebate, solar hot water rebate or electric hot water system rebate for qualifying households. Together, these can reduce the heat pump hot water price / cost or solar hot water price / cost by a substantial percentage.
Once installed, many Highland Plains households see hundreds of dollars a year shaved off their bills. When you combine rebates with rooftop solar and use timers or solar-diversion controls to heat water during the day, the payback period on an energy efficient hot water system can be cut dramatically. For homes still on gas, solar hot water vs electric hot water and electric hot water vs gas hot water are now key questions, as more people look to move to all-electric homes and lock in lower long-term running costs.
If your current unit is ageing, running out of hot water or needing regular hot water repair, it is a good time to check your options. Whether you are considering rheem solar hot water, rinnai solar hot water, a sanden heat pump or chromagen solar hot water alternatives, comparing heat pump hot water price / cost and solar hot water price / cost with rebates applied will help you decide. A tailored quote will also factor in your hot water system price / cost for installation, any solar hot water repair or solar hot water tank replacement needed, and how to design the most energy efficient hot water system for your household.
If you live in Highland Plains and want to future-proof your home, now is a smart time to look at a hot water upgrade. Talk with experienced local hot water installers like us – heat pump and solar hot water specialists who understand the area’s strong solar resource and growing interest in sustainability. We can help you compare options, cut emissions, reduce bills and choose the best system for your property. Reach out for personalised advice and see how efficient hot water systems can work for your Highland Plains home.