Hot Water Systems in Harkness
The 3337 postcode, covering Harkness, Kurunjang, Melton, Melton West and Toolern Vale and surrounding areas, is home to around 14,377 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 Harkness and the 3337 area, 4,235 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 Harkness'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 3337
17th
State Wide
29th
Australia Wide
Hot Water Installation Harkness
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 Harkness
* Data from the Bureau of Meteorology. Closest station: N/A.
Solar Powered Hot WaterHarkness
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 Harkness
Compare heat pump hot water systems suitable for Harkness'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 - Harkness, 3337
Hot Water Demographics - Harkness
Based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census (ABS), Harkness has around 14,377 private dwellings, home to approximately 38,057 people. With an average household size of 2.8 people, and around 50 litres of hot water used per person each day in Australia, Harkness households use approximately 140 litres of hot water daily, equating to a massive 2.0 million litres of hot water used across the suburb every single day.
Other census insights reinforce Harkness's suitability for energy-saving improvements like energy-efficient or solar-powered hot water. The Harkness community is home to 3,471 couple families with children and 1,361 one-parent families, meaning a large proportion of households face substantial hot water demand. With 6,182 homes owned with a mortgage and 3,431 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.
Harkness is converting hot water demand to efficient systems faster than many peers, with 29.5% of dwellings already upgraded.
Hot water systems in Harkness
Across Harkness, more homeowners are rethinking their old gas and electric hot water system and switching to efficient options like a heat pump hot water system, solar hot water system or modern electric hot water system. With an average household size of around 2.8 people and more than 13,500 dwellings, reliable, affordable hot water is a big part of everyday life – and a big slice of the power bill.
Energy prices keep rising, so upgrading to an energy efficient hot water system is a logical next step for many Harkness families. The local climate helps too. Melton’s average annual solar exposure is about 15 MJ/m² per day – roughly 4.2 kWh/m² of sunlight – which is ideal for both a solar hot water heating system and high-performance heat pump hot water. For households with a mortgage (over 6,000 locally) and a median weekly family income of $1,676, cutting running costs without sacrificing comfort just makes sense.
In 3337, most homes are separate houses with three or four bedrooms, so hot water demand is steady, especially for families with kids. Hot water energy use can be 20–30% of a typical home’s electricity, so moving from old gas or off-peak electric to a heat pump hot water system or solar hot water vs electric hot water can deliver meaningful annual savings. Many locals look at heat pump vs solar hot water and end up choosing the option that best fits their roof space, budget and whether they already have solar PV.
Average annual bill savings in Harkness for common upgrade paths can look like:
• Old electric to heat pump hot water installation: $400–$800 per year • Gas to heat pump hot water: $300–$700 per year • Gas to solar hot water installation: $250–$600 per year • Old electric to modern electric hot water installation with rooftop solar: $250–$500 per year
Brands like Rheem heat pump hot water and Rheem solar hot water are popular for robust performance, while Sanden heat pump systems are often chosen as some of the best heat pump hot water system options for ultra-low running costs. Rinnai solar hot water and Chromagen solar hot water are also common where households want a solar hot water tank replacement tied into existing or planned rooftop solar. Many locals simply ask for the best hot water system Australia can offer for their budget, then weigh up heat pump hot water price / cost against solar hot water price / cost and long-term savings.
Harkness has already seen 4,235 efficient hot water installations, combining both heat pump and solar hot water systems. Installations ramped up sharply from 2006, peaking between 2008 and 2010 when over 1,100 systems went in, then remained solid through the late 2010s. While numbers have eased more recently, yearly data still shows ongoing heat pump hot water installation and solar hot water repair and replacement as more households pursue electrification and lower running costs. This trend reflects a growing interest in the most efficient hot water system options and moving towards all-electric homes powered by rooftop solar.
Hot Water Rebates, Tariffs & Savings
For Harkness households, hot water vic incentives can make an upgrade far more affordable. Federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) reduce the upfront hot water system price / cost for eligible heat pump and solar hot water systems. On top of that, state-based programs can provide a heat pump hot water rebate or solar hot water rebate, and in some cases an electric hot water system rebate when replacing old, inefficient units. Combined, these discounts can effectively cut the system cost by 30–50% in many scenarios.
When you factor in lower running costs – often hundreds of dollars a year – payback periods for a new energy efficient hot water system can drop to just a few years, especially if you already have solar and can use timers or solar diversion to heat water during the day. For many households comparing electric hot water vs gas hot water, or solar hot water vs electric hot water, the numbers increasingly favour efficient electric options backed by cheap daytime solar.
If your current unit is leaking, over 10 years old or needing regular hot water repair, it is a good time to review your options. Whether you are considering a rheem solar hot water upgrade, a sanden heat pump, rinnai solar hot water or another of the best hot water system Australia offers, an experienced local installer can help you balance heat pump hot water price / cost, solar hot water tank replacement needs and long-term savings.
If you live in Harkness and want to future-proof your home, now is a smart time to check whether a heat pump hot water system, solar hot water heating system or efficient electric hot water system is right for you. With strong solar, growing interest in sustainability and generous hot water rebate vic programs, upgrading can cut bills, reduce emissions and boost comfort. Talk with our trusted local hot water installation and hot water repair specialists for personalised advice and a tailored quote for your home or business.