Heat Pump vs Electric Hot Water Calculator
Compare the annual running cost and payback period of a heat pump hot water system versus a standard electric storage system.
Your results
Calculation breakdown
- Heat pump usage
- Heat pump kWh/day = electric kWh/day / efficiency multiplier
- Payback
- Payback (years) = extra upfront cost / annual saving
Worked example
An 8 kWh/day electric system versus a heat pump three times as efficient at 30c/kWh saves about $584 a year; a $2,000 price premium would pay back in around 3.4 years.
Assumptions
- Efficiency multiplier varies by climate, model and installation; check the product's energy rating for a specific figure.
- Excludes any government rebates, which should be netted off the extra cost separately.
- Assumes constant daily hot water demand year-round.
How this calculator works
Enter your daily hot water energy use, your electricity rate, and the efficiency and purchase price difference between a heat pump and a standard electric system to estimate annual savings and payback period. Heat pumps typically use less electricity for the same hot water output because they extract heat from the surrounding air.
Frequently asked questions
How much more efficient is a heat pump?
Heat pump hot water systems commonly use around a third to a half of the electricity of a standard resistive electric system for the same hot water output, though this varies by model and climate.
Are there rebates for heat pump hot water?
Some federal and state schemes offer incentives for upgrading to a heat pump system; check current government energy rebate pages for eligibility, as these change often.
Does climate affect heat pump performance?
Yes, heat pumps generally perform less efficiently in very cold conditions, so real-world savings can vary from the flat efficiency figure entered here.
Actual prices, usage, efficiency and savings vary by provider, equipment, location and behaviour.