★★★★★
Quoted Mon, installed Fri
“Took the old gas Rinnai out, dropped in a Reclaim heat pump, sorted the VEU rebate so it came straight off the price. Bloke on the phone is the bloke on the tools, refreshing.”
JM
Jess M.Pakenham · heat pump install
Hot water
Hot water: heat pump, or gas.
Three ways to make it and one of them suits your place better than the other two. A heat pump moves warmth out of the air instead of burning anything, which is about a quarter of the running cost and where the rebate goes. Gas continuous flow never runs out and needs no tank. Here is which is which.
The VEU rebate comes off at the quote, not after. See what you qualify for
Hot water
Four ways to make it. Which suits your place?
All-in-oneTank and compressor in the one unit. Goes where the old tank was.
Split systemCompressor outside, on its own. Quieter at the tank and better in a cold snap.
Gas continuous flowNo tank at all, on an outside wall. Never runs out, and nothing is kept hot waiting for you.
Gas storageA tank kept hot on gas. The straight swap when a tank has died and nothing else about the house is changing.Not sure which one?Tell us how many people are in the house and where the old tank sits. We’ll size it and put it in writing. The short version
Why people change over.
A heat pump uses about 500 W of power to deliver about 2 kW of heating into the tank. A gas storage tank burns gas at 70 – 85% efficiency and loses the rest up the flue. That is the whole argument.
~73%Less to run than a gas storage tank
$2,605VEU rebate on an eligible unit, taken off at the quote
12–15 yrsWhat a properly installed unit should last
Everyday benefits
Every hot water job we do, done properly.
VEU rebate applied at quote. Up to $2,700 for a Victorian owner-occupier at current VEEC prices ($60–$75). We handle the paperwork. You don't front the cash then chase it back six months later.
The other answer
When gas is still the right call.
Most of what we fit now is a heat pump, because the rebate and the running cost make the argument for us. It is not every house. These are the ones where we would put gas in, and we will say so at the quote rather than sell you the dearer thing.
- Nowhere to put a tankA townhouse with a metre of side access and no slab. Continuous flow hangs on the wall and takes the space of a briefcase.
- The hot water never stopsA full house of teenagers, four showers back to back and a bath after. A tank of any kind runs out eventually; this does not.
- The rebate does not reach youNo existing electric or gas storage tank to replace, or the address has claimed before. Without the VEU behind it the gap between the two narrows a long way.
How it works
How a heat pump makes your hot water.
A heat pump doesn’t burn anything or run an element. It moves heat that’s already in the air into your tank, which is why it does the same job on a fraction of the power.
Tank and heat pump in one shell, nothing to place outside.
Outdoor heat pump plumbed to a separate tank indoors.
Refrigerant carries the heat Hot water out the top Cold water in the bottom
- 1Pull heat from the air
A fan draws air across the evaporator, where the refrigerant soaks up the warmth, even a cold morning has heat to give.
- 2Concentrate it
The compressor squeezes that refrigerant, and squeezing it makes it hot, hotter than shower temperature.
- 3Pass it to the water
The heat exchanger hands the heat to the water. Cold in the bottom, hot out the top.
The brands we install
Line them up side by side.
Every unit here is on the VEU approved product list with a real Australian support network. Pick any two or three below to see the specs stacked next to each other, cheapest price and longest warranty get highlighted automatically.
Pick up to 3 units, tap a card to add or remove.
Best price and longest warranty are highlighted in orange automatically.
Pick at least two units above to see them lined up.
How the job runs
A hot water changeover, step by step.
- 1
Site inspection, no charge
We walk the existing tank position, check pipe entry, electrical supply, drainage, and outdoor placement for split-system heat pumps. On the same visit we confirm VEU eligibility and photograph the old unit for the rebate application.
- 2
Written quote in 12 hrs
Back to you the same business day with model number, capacity, VEU rebate value, tank + heat-pump warranty and the installed price after rebate. No 'from $X', the number on the quote is the number on the invoice.
- 3
We lodge the VEU application
Approved accredited-provider paperwork submitted the day you accept the quote. The rebate is applied to your invoice, not something you chase back six months later.
- 4
Install day, usually same-day swap
AIO swap into an existing electric or gas storage tank position is 3–5 hours. Split heat pump with a new tank position is 5–7 hours. Old tank drained, disconnected, loaded up.
- 5
Commission, temper, hand over
Tempering valve to AS/NZS 3500, isolation valves in, dedicated circuit tested. We wait for hot water at the tap, then walk you through the controller and timer settings.
- 6
Compliance certificate + warranty registration
Plumbing compliance certificate emailed within 24 hours. Tank + heat-pump warranty lodged with the manufacturer in your name at the same time. VEU certificate follows within 2 weeks.
Save your money
Six things that should stop you buying.
Every year we get called out to fix (or replace) heat pumps from importer brands that sell out and vanish. Someone bought a “$999 special” on Facebook, it dies at year three, and there’s nobody to warranty it because the ABN was cancelled 18 months ago. Here’s what to look for before you hand anyone money.
Brand you've never heard of on a marketplace listing
If the brand only exists on Amazon, eBay or an obscure Facebook Marketplace ad, walk away. Reclaim, Thermann and iStore all have real Australian offices, distributors and service networks. Random importer brands typically don't.
Warranty length under 5 years on the tank
Any serious brand backs the tank for at least 5 years (7–10 for premium). A 2-year or 3-year tank warranty is a red flag, the manufacturer doesn't expect the unit to last.
No VEU listing / not accredited
If the unit isn't on the Victorian Essential Services Commission's approved product list, you can't claim the VEU rebate. That's a $1,205 straight-up loss, plus you're stuck with an untested unit. Check the ESC register before you buy.
Parts sourced from overseas only
When the compressor fails at year 4, you don't want to wait 6 weeks for a part from a warehouse in Guangzhou. Ask before you buy: "Where does the nearest spare compressor live, and how fast can it be here?" A proper brand can answer in 30 seconds.
Installer isn't a proper tradesperson
Cheap deals often come with cheaper installs, an unlicensed 'handyman' plugging in the unit and pocketing the difference. VEU requires an accredited installer with plumbing and electrical licences, and a compliance certificate at handover. No certificate = no protection when something goes wrong.
Pricing that seems 'too good to be true'
A $999 heat pump ad is a $2,000 heat pump plus $800 of hidden installation extras. Legitimate installers show the fully-installed inc-GST price with the VEU rebate already applied, no surprises. If the ad only says 'from $X' it's marketing, not a real quote.
We’re not saying every unfamiliar brand is bad. But if any two of the six above apply, it’s not worth the $500 saving, you’ll pay it back three times over when the unit fails and the importer is unreachable.
Sizing guide
How big a tank do you actually need?
Undersize and you’ll run out of hot water in the middle of the third shower. Oversize and you’re paying to heat water you never use. Here’s the rough rule.
1–2 people180 – 200 L
- Reclaim R290 200 L
- Thermann 200 L R290
- iStore 180 L
3–4 people275 – 300 L
- Reclaim R290 300 L
- Thermann 285 L R290
- iStore 275 L
4–5 people315 L
- Reclaim CO₂ split 315 L (glass or stainless)
- Thermann 315 L, where a split will not fit
Big households400 L
- Reclaim CO₂ split 400 L (glass or stainless)
- Only Reclaim carries a 400 L
Rule of thumb: 40 – 60 L of tank per person, depending on how many showers per day. Runs a bath every night? Round up.
Free quote
Quote for hot water.
60 seconds, no obligation, replied within 12 business hours. The VEU rebate is applied and GST is included, so the number you get is the number you pay.
- ✓ Same person quotes as installs
- ✓ No obligation, and no sales call afterwards
- ✓ No hot water right now? Call (03) 5947 8000 instead
Step 1 of 4 · 25% complete
How much is the VEU rebate right now?
Up to $2,700 for a Victorian owner-occupier at current VEEC prices ($60–$75 per certificate). We calculate your actual rebate at the quote based on your address, existing system, and household size.
How much will I save on my energy bill?
A gas-storage → heat pump swap typically saves $400–$900 a year. Electric storage → heat pump saves $700–$1,400. Payback after the VEU rebate is usually under 2 years.
Does a heat pump work in cold Melbourne mornings?
R290 (propane) units drop noticeably below 0 °C. CO₂ heat pumps (Reclaim) hold full capacity down to −10 °C, worth specifying for hills postcodes like Emerald, Gembrook or Cockatoo.
Is it noisy? Where do you put it?
37–48 dBA at 1 m depending on model, Reclaim CO₂ is the quietest at 37 dBA (safe next to a bedroom wall). Ideally sited on the shady side of the house away from bedrooms.
How long does the install take?
AIO into an existing tank position is 3–5 hours, done in one visit. Split heat pump with a new outdoor unit position is 5–7 hours. Both are usually same-day.
What's the warranty picture?
Reclaim CO₂ Stainless: 15-yr tank + 10-yr heat pump. Reclaim ECO R290 all-in-one: 8 years on the tank, parts and labour. iStore: 6-yr tank + 3-yr compressor. Plus our 6-year workmanship on top of all of them.
Can I combine it with solar PV?
Yes, Reclaim's split range is PV-diverter compatible so the heat pump only runs when your PV is exporting. We can add a diverter kit at install time or later.
What locals say
Reviews from households across the south-east.
4.9 / 5 on Google
★★★★★
Rebate handled, didn't lift a finger
“The VEU paperwork looked scary online. They filled it all in, I signed once at the quote and once on the day. Rebate was already in the price. Painless.”
LM
Lauren M.Pakenham · heat pump swap
★★★★★
No surprises on the invoice
“Quote number matched the invoice exactly. No 'we hit unexpected wiring' story at the end. Nice change.”
PS
Priya S.Cranbourne · split install
★★★★★
Split install in half a day
“Bedroom Mitsubishi went in before lunch. Neat pipework, brackets straight, temp checked before they left. Would use again for the lounge.”
AP
Alex P.Cranbourne East · split
★★★★★
Quoted Mon, installed Fri
“Took the old gas Rinnai out, dropped in a Reclaim heat pump, sorted the VEU rebate so it came straight off the price. Bloke on the phone is the bloke on the tools, refreshing.”
JM
Jess M.Pakenham · heat pump install
★★★★★
Rebate handled, didn't lift a finger
“The VEU paperwork looked scary online. They filled it all in, I signed once at the quote and once on the day. Rebate was already in the price. Painless.”
LM
Lauren M.Pakenham · heat pump swap
★★★★★
No surprises on the invoice
“Quote number matched the invoice exactly. No 'we hit unexpected wiring' story at the end. Nice change.”
PS
Priya S.Cranbourne · split install
★★★★★
Split install in half a day
“Bedroom Mitsubishi went in before lunch. Neat pipework, brackets straight, temp checked before they left. Would use again for the lounge.”
AP
Alex P.Cranbourne East · split
★★★★★
Family business, feels it
“Answered the phone myself, quoted the job, showed up to install the job. That trail of trust doesn't exist with most of the bigger mobs anymore.”
TH
Tom H.Narre Warren · heat pump
★★★★★
Emergency sorted Sunday
“Hot water died on a Sunday with three kids in the house. Answered the phone, had a temp loaner running by lunch, new iStore in on Tuesday. That's service.”
SK
Sam K.Berwick · emergency hot water
★★★★★
Follow-up call was a surprise
“A week after install they rang to check the heat pump was running quiet and the app was set up. First tradie who's ever followed up after payment cleared.”
ND
Nick D.Beaconsfield · heat pump
★★★★★
Family business, feels it
“Answered the phone myself, quoted the job, showed up to install the job. That trail of trust doesn't exist with most of the bigger mobs anymore.”
TH
Tom H.Narre Warren · heat pump
★★★★★
Emergency sorted Sunday
“Hot water died on a Sunday with three kids in the house. Answered the phone, had a temp loaner running by lunch, new iStore in on Tuesday. That's service.”
SK
Sam K.Berwick · emergency hot water
★★★★★
Follow-up call was a surprise
“A week after install they rang to check the heat pump was running quiet and the app was set up. First tradie who's ever followed up after payment cleared.”
ND
Nick D.Beaconsfield · heat pump
★★★★★
Actually got up in the roof
“Had three quotes for a ducted system. These guys were the only ones who actually crawled into the roof. Middle of the pack on price but installed cleaner than the others would have.”
DR
Dean R.Officer · ducted retrofit
★★★★★
Cleaned up like nothing happened
“Full ducted retrofit over two days. When they left the roof cavity was tidier than they found it and the driveway had been swept. Small thing but it matters.”
BR
Bianca R.Berwick · ducted install
★★★★★
Explained everything
“Walked me through the Milieu tablet, showed the wife how to use it, showed us the compliance cert. Ten minutes of teaching that other installers just skip.”
MT
Marcus T.Officer · ducted aircon
★★★★★
Actually got up in the roof
“Had three quotes for a ducted system. These guys were the only ones who actually crawled into the roof. Middle of the pack on price but installed cleaner than the others would have.”
DR
Dean R.Officer · ducted retrofit
★★★★★
Cleaned up like nothing happened
“Full ducted retrofit over two days. When they left the roof cavity was tidier than they found it and the driveway had been swept. Small thing but it matters.”
BR
Bianca R.Berwick · ducted install
★★★★★
Explained everything
“Walked me through the Milieu tablet, showed the wife how to use it, showed us the compliance cert. Ten minutes of teaching that other installers just skip.”
MT
Marcus T.Officer · ducted aircon
Get it priced properly.
A written quote after we have seen the job, with the VEU rebate already taken off the number. No obligation, and back with you inside 12 hours.