Hot Water Systems in Highlands
The 3660 postcode, covering Highlands, Caveat, Dropmore, Dysart, Hilldene, Kerrisdale, Kobyboyn, Northwood, Seymour, Seymour South, Trawool and Whiteheads Creek and surrounding areas, is home to around 3,486 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 Highlands and the 3660 area, 323 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 Highlands'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 3660
230th
State Wide
776th
Australia Wide
Hot Water Installation Highlands
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 Highlands
* Data from the Bureau of Meteorology. Closest station: N/A.
Solar Powered Hot WaterHighlands
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 Highlands
Compare heat pump hot water systems suitable for Highlands'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 - Highlands, 3660
Hot Water Demographics - Highlands
Based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census (ABS), Highlands has around 3,486 private dwellings, home to approximately 7,059 people. With an average household size of 2.3 people, and around 50 litres of hot water used per person each day in Australia, Highlands households use approximately 115 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 Highlands's suitability for energy-saving improvements like energy-efficient or solar-powered hot water. The Highlands community is home to 400 couple families with children and 204 one-parent families, meaning a large proportion of households face substantial hot water demand. With 898 homes owned with a mortgage and 1,219 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.
Highlands is converting hot water demand to efficient systems faster than many peers, with 9.3% of dwellings already upgraded.
Hot water systems in Highlands
Across Highlands and the 3660 area, more households are swapping old gas units and tired electric cylinders for an energy efficient hot water system. With most of the 3,137 dwellings being separate houses and an average household size of 2.3 people, hot water is a big chunk of the power bill. For families on a median household income of around $1,214 a week, shifting to a modern heat pump hot water system, solar hot water system or efficient electric hot water system is a logical next step to keep costs down.
Highlands has excellent solar exposure, with average annual sun of about 16.4 MJ/m² a day – roughly 4.5 kWh/m². That is plenty of free energy to drive a solar hot water heating system or support a heat pump hot water installation, especially if you already have rooftop solar. Upgrading from older gas or resistive electric units can deliver strong Annual Hot Water Energy Savings, helping households free up cash for mortgages or rent while cutting emissions.
Local data shows a community geared towards home ownership, with more than 2,100 homes owned outright or with a mortgage. Many of these properties are three and four bedroom houses, so hot water demand is steady all year. That makes choosing the most efficient hot water system even more important. For some, that means a rheem heat pump hot water unit; for others, a rheem solar hot water or rinnai solar hot water setup, or even a premium sanden heat pump for maximum efficiency and whisper-quiet running.
In Highlands 3660 there has been a steady rise in efficient hot water installation. A total of 323 efficient hot water systems – mainly heat pump and solar hot water installations – have gone in over the years. Install numbers started modestly in the early 2000s, then jumped around 2008–2010 as solar hot water rebate programs kicked in, and surged again in 2020 when many households focused on bills and home upgrades. Recent years have stayed strong, with more locals comparing heat pump vs solar hot water, looking at solar hot water vs electric hot water, and asking which is the best hot water system Australia for a regional climate like Highlands.
Typical upgrade savings for Highlands homes are substantial and depend on the hot water system price and energy use. As a guide, many households see average annual bill savings in these ranges:
• Old electric to heat pump hot water system: $400–$800 per year • Gas to heat pump hot water system: $300–$600 per year • Gas to solar hot water system: $250–$600 per year • Old electric to modern electric hot water installation with rooftop solar: $200–$500 per year
Brands like Rheem and Rinnai are popular for both electric hot water installation and solar hot water repair or replacement, while Sanden and other premium heat pumps are often chosen as the best heat pump hot water system for all‑electric homes chasing very low running costs. When tanks rust out, a solar hot water tank replacement is a good time to reassess the whole setup and compare heat pump hot water price, solar hot water price and efficient electric options.
Hot Water Rebates, Tariffs & Savings
For Highlands households still on older gas or electric units, there is growing interest in moving to an energy efficient hot water system. Federal incentives such as Small‑scale Technology Certificates (STCs) can reduce the upfront hot water system cost for eligible heat pump and solar hot water systems, while Victorian state programs may offer a heat pump hot water rebate, solar hot water rebate or electric hot water system rebate for certain properties. Together, these hot water rebate VIC schemes can cut the effective heat pump hot water cost or solar hot water price by a significant percentage, often shaving years off the payback period.
Combine a smart tariff, timers or solar‑diversion controls and you can push more hot water heating into the middle of the day when your rooftop solar is strongest. That turns your system into a highly energy efficient hot water system, trimming hundreds of dollars a year from bills. Over time, many Highlands homes are moving towards all‑electric living, choosing electric hot water vs gas hot water to simplify their setup and reduce exposure to rising gas prices.
If you live in Highlands and your current hot water system is older, noisy or unreliable, now is a good time to check whether a heat pump hot water installation, solar hot water installation or modern electric hot water installation is right for you. With strong local solar resources, a clear trend towards sustainability and solid government support for hot water rebate VIC programs, efficient hot water can help you cut bills, reduce emissions and future‑proof your home. For tailored advice on options like rheem solar hot water, rinnai solar hot water, sanden heat pump units, chromagen solar hot water and more, it pays to speak with experienced local hot water installers who understand Highlands and can guide you through hot water installation, hot water repair and ongoing support. Connect with trusted local experts for personalised advice and see how an efficient hot water upgrade could work for your place.