Hot Water Systems in Forbes
The 3764 postcode, covering Forbes, Glenaroua, High Camp, Kilmore, Kilmore East, Moranding, Tantaraboo and Willowmavin and surrounding areas, is home to around 4,089 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 Forbes and the 3764 area, 1,026 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 Forbes's climate delivering an average of 4.4 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 3764
78th
State Wide
287th
Australia Wide
Hot Water Installation Forbes
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 Forbes
* Data from the Bureau of Meteorology. Closest station: N/A.
Solar Powered Hot WaterForbes
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 Forbes
Compare heat pump hot water systems suitable for Forbes'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 - Forbes, 3764
Hot Water Demographics - Forbes
Based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census (ABS), Forbes has around 4,089 private dwellings, home to approximately 9,753 people. With an average household size of 2.6 people, and around 50 litres of hot water used per person each day in Australia, Forbes households use approximately 130 litres of hot water daily, equating to a massive 0.5 million litres of hot water used across the suburb every single day.
Other census insights reinforce Forbes's suitability for energy-saving improvements like energy-efficient or solar-powered hot water. The Forbes community is home to 836 couple families with children and 217 one-parent families, meaning a large proportion of households face substantial hot water demand. With 1,663 homes owned with a mortgage and 1,264 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.
Forbes is converting hot water demand to efficient systems faster than many peers, with 25.1% of dwellings already upgraded.
Hot water systems in Forbes
In Forbes, VIC 3764, more locals are switching to energy efficient hot water systems to keep bills down and comfort up. With most of the 3,800+ dwellings being separate houses and an average household size of 2.6 people, hot water demand is solid year‑round. Power prices keep rising, so upgrading from an old gas or electric hot water system to a modern heat pump hot water system, solar hot water system or efficient electric hot water system is a logical next step.
Forbes enjoys strong sunshine, with average solar exposure around 15.9 MJ/m² per day – roughly 4.4 kWh of solar energy per square metre, per day. That is ideal for a solar hot water heating system or a high‑performance heat pump hot water system that draws free heat from the air. With many households paying off a mortgage and a median household income of about $1,600 per week, investing in the best hot water system Australia can offer is about balancing upfront hot water system cost with long‑term savings.
Across the 3764 postcode, families, retirees and growing households are all looking for the most efficient hot water system they can reasonably afford. Hot water can account for a quarter of household energy use, so shifting from electric hot water vs gas hot water to a smarter, energy efficient hot water system makes a real dent in bills. In practice, that might mean comparing heat pump vs solar hot water, or weighing up solar hot water vs electric hot water with solar on the roof.
In a typical Forbes home, hot water upgrades can deliver meaningful savings. As a guide, households might expect:
• Old electric to heat pump: $400–$800 per year off bills. • Gas to heat pump: $300–$700 per year. • Gas to solar hot water: $250–$600 per year. • Old electric to modern electric with solar: $200–$500 per year.
Brands like Rheem heat pump hot water and Rheem solar hot water are popular with locals wanting proven performance, while Sanden heat pump systems are known for ultra‑high efficiency and quiet operation. Rinnai solar hot water and Chromagen solar hot water options suit households keen on a reliable solar hot water installation with good local support. Your installer can help you compare the best heat pump hot water system options for your roof space, family size and budget.
Forbes has already seen 1,026 efficient hot water installations, combining heat pump hot water installation and solar hot water installation. Install numbers were modest in the early 2000s, then jumped sharply around 2007–2013 as incentives grew. After a dip, installations have picked up again, with steady numbers through 2018–2023. This trend shows growing interest in electrification, lower running costs and cutting emissions. As systems age, solar hot water tank replacement and timely hot water repair are also becoming more common jobs for local tradies.
Hot Water Rebates, Tariffs & Savings
With generous solar hot water rebate and heat pump hot water rebate programs, plus STCs under the Federal Renewable Energy Target, efficient systems are more affordable than many people expect. In Victoria, hot water rebate vic programs can reduce heat pump hot water price or cost and solar hot water price or cost by a substantial percentage, especially when combined with retailer discounts. There are also electric hot water system rebate options when replacing old, inefficient units. For many Forbes households, that can turn a five to eight‑year payback into something much shorter, particularly if you run your electric hot water installation or heat pump on daytime solar. Smart timers or solar diversion controls can push even more of your hot water use into sunny hours.
Whether you need hot water installation on a new build, hot water repair on a tired unit, solar hot water repair after a storm, or advice on solar hot water vs electric hot water, it pays to work with experienced local specialists. If you are in Forbes and your current system is ageing, noisy or costing a fortune to run, now is a good time to check if your home is ready for a hot water upgrade. Talk with trusted hot water vic installers who understand Forbes’ climate and energy‑efficiency potential, and get personalised advice on the right hot water systems Forbes homes and businesses can rely on to cut bills, reduce emissions and future‑proof your place.