Hot Water Systems in Merricks
The 3916 postcode, covering Merricks, Point Leo and Shoreham and surrounding areas, is home to around 747 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 Merricks and the 3916 area, 100 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 Merricks'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 3916
385th
State Wide
1422nd
Australia Wide
Hot Water Installation Merricks
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 Merricks
* Data from the Bureau of Meteorology. Closest station: N/A.
Solar Powered Hot WaterMerricks
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 Merricks
Compare heat pump hot water systems suitable for Merricks'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 - Merricks, 3916
Hot Water Demographics - Merricks
Based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census (ABS), Merricks has around 747 private dwellings, home to approximately 901 people. With an average household size of 2.2 people, and around 50 litres of hot water used per person each day in Australia, Merricks households use approximately 110 litres of hot water daily, equating to a massive 0.1 million litres of hot water used across the suburb every single day.
Other census insights reinforce Merricks's suitability for energy-saving improvements like energy-efficient or solar-powered hot water. The Merricks community is home to 55 couple families with children and 7 one-parent families, meaning a large proportion of households face substantial hot water demand. With 90 homes owned with a mortgage and 244 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.
Merricks is converting hot water demand to efficient systems faster than many peers, with 13.4% of dwellings already upgraded.
Hot water systems in Merricks
Across Merricks, more locals are swapping old gas and electric units for an energy efficient hot water system that actually suits how they live. With most homes here being separate houses and an average household size of around 2.2 people, a well‑sized hot water system can comfortably cover showers, laundry and guests without wasting energy. Many residents are older, with a median age close to 59, so reliability and low running costs matter just as much as sustainability.
Merricks enjoys strong sunshine year‑round, with average solar exposure of about 15.1 MJ/m² a day – roughly 4.2 kWh/m². That makes a solar hot water system or heat pump hot water system a smart fit, especially if you already have rooftop solar. A modern solar hot water heating system or high‑efficiency electric hot water system can slash the energy used for hot water, which is often one of the biggest loads in an all‑electric home. Upgrading from older gas or resistive electric hot water to an energy efficient hot water system is a logical next step for households chasing lower bills and better comfort.
In postcode 3916 there are 402 occupied private dwellings and a high share of homes owned outright, which often means older hot water units nearing the end of their life. That creates a great opportunity to replace them with the most efficient hot water system you can reasonably afford. Brands like Rheem heat pump hot water, Sanden heat pump and Rinnai solar hot water are popular options for those comparing the best heat pump hot water system or best hot water system Australia wide, while Chromagen solar hot water remains a trusted choice for coastal solar hot water installation.
When you look at heat pump vs solar hot water, both can work very well in Merricks thanks to the strong solar resource. Heat pumps use ambient air and can run cheaply on off‑peak tariffs or when your solar is exporting, while a roof‑mounted solar hot water system directly captures the sun. Either way, a professional heat pump hot water installation or solar hot water installation will ensure you get the right tank size, placement and controls for your household.
Average annual bill savings in Merricks for typical upgrades can look like:
• Old electric to heat pump hot water system: $400–$800 per year • Gas to heat pump hot water: $300–$700 per year • Gas to solar hot water system: $250–$600 per year • Old electric to modern electric hot water installation with solar PV: $250–$500 per year
Over the years, around 100 efficient hot water systems have been installed in Merricks, combining heat pump and solar hot water repair and replacement jobs with new builds. Installations really picked up between 2007 and 2012, with peak years in 2008 and 2009, and there has been renewed interest again from 2021 onwards. This trend mirrors the broader shift towards electrification, lower running costs and moving away from gas hot water, especially as more homes add solar and look for hot water VIC solutions that make the most of it.
Hot Water Rebates, Tariffs & Savings
For Merricks households comparing electric hot water vs gas hot water, rebates and tariffs can tip the balance. Federal Small‑scale Technology Certificates (STCs) apply to eligible systems, effectively acting as an upfront solar hot water rebate or heat pump hot water rebate. Victoria also offers state incentives that can reduce the 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 in some programs for those shifting away from gas.
These incentives can bring the hot water system price or cost of a quality Rheem solar hot water, Rinnai solar hot water, Sanden heat pump or similar system down to a far more manageable level. With typical savings often in the hundreds of dollars per year, payback periods can shrink to just a few years, particularly if you run your system on solar‑friendly tariffs or use timers and solar diversion. For many homes in Merricks, an efficient electric hot water system or hybrid solution becomes the most efficient hot water system over the long term.
If your current unit is more than 10 years old, noisy, rusty or running out of hot water, it is worth checking whether a hot water upgrade could work for your Merricks home. Whether you are weighing up solar hot water vs electric hot water, planning a solar hot water tank replacement, or need urgent hot water repair, talking to experienced local installers who specialise in heat pump hot water installation, solar hot water repair and electric hot water installation is the safest move. With Merricks’ strong solar resource, growing interest in sustainability and generous hot water rebate VIC programs, now is a smart time to future‑proof your home, cut emissions and reduce bills. Connect with trusted local experts for personalised advice with us and find the right hot water system for the way you live.