Best Hot Water Heat Pump In Australia 2026: Installer’s Choice Awards

Heat pump hot water systems continue to grow in popularity as more Australians look for ways to get off gas.

To find out which heat pump installers trust most in 2026, we asked Australian installers a simple question:

“Which heat pump hot water system would you choose for your own home?”

The result wasn’t even close.

iStore received a whopping 63% of installer votes, finishing well clear of Reclaim on 13%. Haier and Sanden tied for third place with 5% each.

iStore Wins By A Landslide

iStore heat pump installed by Positive Energy Solutions.

Winning an Installer’s Choice Award is one thing. Winning with nearly two-thirds of the vote is another.

I think iStore’s popularity is primarily due to value: after rebates, expect to pay $3,000 to $4,000 installed.

But value is nothing without performance and reliability. With 4kW of heating power, it is one of the fastest heating units on the market. And the units have proved reliable over the years in Australian conditions.

It helps that iStore is Australian-owned, by the people behind Solargain – one of the longest-standing solar installers in Australia. Systems are designed locally and manufactured in China.

Reclaim Takes Second Place

Reclaim heat pump installed by Brightworks Solar.

While iStore dominated the survey, Reclaim comfortably secured second place with 13% of installer votes.

Unlike iStore’s integrated design, Reclaim uses a more expensive split-system configuration with a separate compressor and storage tank. It also uses natural CO₂ refrigerant compared to iStore’s propane, and carries a 10-year warranty.

I’ve had a Reclaim on my house for about 4 years – and it hasn’t missed a beat.

Haier And Sanden Share Third Place

Haier and Sanden each received 5% of installer votes, tying for third place.

Haier

Haier heat pump installed by Powrhouse.

Better known for its household appliances, Haier also has a well-established heat pump range. The company is a large global manufacturer with an established Australian presence. It offers both split-system and all-in-one models, including a dedicated solar PV mode.

Sanden

A Sanden split-system heat pump with its outdoor compressor and separate stainless steel storage tank.

Sanden is the OG hot water heat pump brand. They’ve been producing them since 2005. Its Japanese-made heat pump is paired with an Australian-made stainless steel tank. Top quality, and they cost even more than a Reclaim.

Which Heat Pump Is Right For You?

Installer opinion is a useful starting point because these are the people who fit, service and repair these systems year after year. They get to see which models are reliable, which are easy to install and which cause headaches. And believe me, lots of heat pump brands not on this list have been horribly unreliable in the past. That’s why many plumbers won’t touch any heatpump with a barge pole. They’ve been burned by crappy units back in the day.

But savvy installers know the brands on this list can be trusted to deliver hot water for years at a fraction of the energy cost of conventional electric units or gas.

If you’re considering making the switch, our Heat Pump Hot Water Guide explains how heat pumps work, typical costs, rebates and what to look for before buying. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can also browse our heat pump reviews to compare brands and see how they’re rated by Australian owners and installers.

And if you’re ready to replace your hot water system, you can also compare up to three quotes from trusted local installers through SolarQuotes. It’s a simple way to compare prices, brands and advice before making a decision.