Hot Water Systems in Fairhaven
The 3231 postcode, covering Fairhaven, Aireys Inlet, Big Hill, Eastern View and Moggs Creek and surrounding areas, is home to around 1,740 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 Fairhaven and the 3231 area, 112 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 Fairhaven's climate delivering an average of 4.2 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 3231
362nd
State Wide
1361st
Australia Wide
Hot Water Installation Fairhaven
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 Fairhaven
* Data from the Bureau of Meteorology. Closest station: N/A.
Solar Powered Hot WaterFairhaven
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 Fairhaven
Compare heat pump hot water systems suitable for Fairhaven'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 - Fairhaven, 3231
Hot Water Demographics - Fairhaven
Based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census (ABS), Fairhaven has around 1,740 private dwellings, home to approximately 1,391 people. With an average household size of 2.2 people, and around 50 litres of hot water used per person each day in Australia, Fairhaven households use approximately 110 litres of hot water daily, equating to a massive 0.2 million litres of hot water used across the suburb every single day.
Other census insights reinforce Fairhaven's suitability for energy-saving improvements like energy-efficient or solar-powered hot water. The Fairhaven community is home to 79 couple families with children and 18 one-parent families, meaning a large proportion of households face substantial hot water demand. With 172 homes owned with a mortgage and 371 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.
Fairhaven is converting hot water demand to efficient systems faster than many peers, with 6.4% of dwellings already upgraded.
Hot water systems in Fairhaven
In Fairhaven, more homeowners are rethinking their old gas and electric hot water system and switching to energy‑efficient options like a heat pump hot water system, solar hot water system or modern electric hot water system. With a median household size of around 2.2 people and many homes owned outright or with a mortgage, hot water upgrades are a smart way for Fairhaven households to cut running costs without sacrificing comfort.
Fairhaven enjoys strong coastal sunshine, with nearby Aireys Inlet recording an average annual solar exposure of about 15 MJ/m² per day – roughly 4.2 kWh/m² daily. That is excellent for both a solar hot water heating system and a heat pump hot water system, which uses ambient air and performs even better in mild, sunny conditions. For many local families and retirees on fixed incomes, upgrading from an older gas unit or resistive electric hot water system can deliver substantial annual hot water energy savings while reducing reliance on gas.
Across the 3231 postcode there are around 637 occupied dwellings and a high proportion of separate houses, which typically have the roof space and yard area needed for a solar hot water installation or external heat pump hot water installation. With an older population (median age 56) and a median family income of about $2,215 per week, many Fairhaven households are in a good position to invest in long‑term savings from an energy efficient hot water system rather than keep paying high quarterly bills.
Locally, the mix of homes and mostly two‑to‑four bedroom houses means hot water demand is steady but not extreme, making it easier to size the best hot water system Australia has to offer for your needs. A three‑person home might choose a compact Sanden heat pump or Rheem heat pump hot water unit, while larger family homes could opt for a Rheem solar hot water or Rinnai solar hot water package with roof collectors and a larger solar hot water tank replacement if the old tank is on its last legs. Systems from brands like Chromagen solar hot water and others are also common for those wanting a reliable solar hot water vs electric hot water solution.
Typical savings for Fairhaven homes moving to efficient hot water look like this:
• Old electric hot water to heat pump: save roughly $400–$800 per year on bills. • Gas to heat pump: save around $300–$600 per year, plus avoid gas supply charges. • Gas to solar hot water system: save about $250–$600 per year depending on usage. • Old electric to modern electric hot water installation paired with rooftop solar: save roughly $250–$500 per year using daytime solar.
In recent years, Fairhaven has seen 112 efficient hot water systems installed in total, combining both solar hot water and heat pump systems. Installations ramped up around 2009–2013, when annual installs peaked in the high single digits and low teens, and have continued at a steady trickle through to 2024. This trend shows a clear local interest in electrification, lower running costs and cleaner hot water VIC wide, especially as more homes add solar PV and look for the most efficient hot water system to match.
Hot Water Rebates, Tariffs & Savings
Right across Fairhaven there is growing interest in replacing ageing gas or electric units with a heat pump hot water system, efficient electric hot water system or solar hot water heating system. Homeowners can often access a combination of Australian Government Small‑scale Technology Certificates (STCs) and Victorian hot water rebate VIC programmes, including a heat pump hot water rebate or solar hot water rebate, depending on the system. In some cases an electric hot water system rebate may also apply when moving away from gas. These incentives can trim the heat pump hot water price / cost or solar hot water price / cost by a significant percentage, bringing the upfront hot water system price / cost down to a much more manageable level.
For many Fairhaven households, that means an energy efficient hot water system can pay for itself in just a few years, especially when paired with solar PV and smart controls like timers or solar diversion to heat water in the middle of the day. Combine that with the comfort of reliable hot water repair and solar hot water repair support from local trades, and the whole‑of‑life heat pump hot water cost becomes very attractive compared with electric hot water vs gas hot water.
If you live in Fairhaven and your current unit is ageing, noisy or costing a fortune to run, now is a good time to check whether your home is ready for a hot water upgrade – whether that is heat pump vs solar hot water, or a modern electric hot water installation working with your rooftop solar. Talk with experienced local hot water installers like us who specialise in heat pump hot water installation, solar hot water installation and hot water repair. With Fairhaven’s strong solar resource and growing focus on sustainability, the right system can reduce your bills, cut emissions and future‑proof your home. Reach out for personalised advice from trusted local experts and find the best heat pump hot water system or solar hot water system for your place.