Compare Hot Water System Brands in Australia: Features and Benefits
In this guide, we will compare hot water systems brands in Australia to help you make the right choice once you’re in the market to buy.
We’ll also discuss why your choice matters, the types available, and some of the things you should consider before you invest in a specific brand.
Comparison of Hot Water System Brands
| Brand Name | Rheem | Dux | Bosch | Rinnai | Stiebel Eltron | Vulcan | Enviroheat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System Types | Heat pumps, solar, gas, and electric hot water systems | Heat pumps, solar, gas, and electric hot water systems | Solar, gas, and electric hot water systems | Heat pumps, solar and electric hot water systems | Heat pumps, solar, gas, and electric hot water systems | Gas, and electric hot water systems | Electric, Gas, Solar or Heat Pump hot water system | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy Efficiency Rating | 4-6 star | 3-6.7 star | 5.5-5.6 star | Up to 6.1 star | Class A+ | 4 star | 4-6 stars | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Cost | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warranty Period | 5-12 years | 7-12 years | 3-15 years | 5-12 years | 2-7 years | 7 years | 5 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best For | Large households that need continuous hot water | Smaller households looking to reduce energy bills | Homes without gas | Residential and commercial eco-friendly users | Homeowners with small spaces | Both large and small households | Both large and small households |
*The prices do not include applicable rebates, shipping or installation expenses.
Why Choosing the Right Brand Matters
Selecting the right hot water system brand is essential because of the following:
Energy Efficiency and Savings
The system you choose affects the long-term energy consumption at home and your heating costs. We recommend opting for heaters with a high Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) rating as they’re more energy efficient. Therefore, operating them will likely cost less and help you save on utility bills.
Reliability and Warranty
It’s advisable that you pick hot water systems that are hailed as reliable to ensure you get value for your money. To know whether you can depend on a particular brand, go hunting for customer reviews on its website or social media profiles.
The best systems also have a manufacturer’s warranty lasting between 5 and 12 years. It guarantees that they’ll serve you for a long time. And if they fail, the brand will replace or repair them. Alternatively, the company can refund your money.
Compare Hot Water Systems, best in Australia
After researching hot water brands in Australia, factoring in aspects like energy ratings, system types available, company history, reputation and pricing. We discovered that these are the best options right now:
Rheem
Founded by two brothers, Richard and Donald Rheem, in 1925. Rheem Manufacturing Company offers heat pump, gas, electric, and solar water systems in various sizes. While some, such as the Rheem Stellar, are 5-star energy rated, others boast a 6-star rating and can provide hot water instantly.
The price of Rheem hot water systems varies and can be as low as \$1,100, depending on the type and other features. However, options like gas storage water heaters might be inefficient and result in high utility bills.
Dux
Dux is a renowned Australian hot water system brand that has been in the game since 1915. Its offerings include large solar, gas, electric, and heat pump water heaters known for their superior construction and reliability.
Dux models come with varying energy-efficiency ratings, ranging from 3-star to 6.7-star. Their prices also differ, with the tags on some options reading $780. Nevertheless, a small group of consumers have complained about getting discolored and foul-smelling water when using Dux systems.
Bosch
Although Bosch is a German brand, it has been serving the Australian market since 1907. Besides gas hot storage units, it also offers solar and electric hot water systems with 5.5-5.56 star energy efficiency ratings.
Like the brands we’ve listed above, Bosch models are priced differently based on their innovative features. Even so, the hot water systems may experience water flow issues and fluctuating water temperatures.
Rinnai
While some Rinnai hot water systems have an energy efficiency rating of 4.7 star, others are 6.1-star rated. This industry-leading brand has various options for homeowners, including heat pumps, solar, and electric hot water systems.
Most Rinnai models are energy-efficient, reliable, durable, and environmentally friendly. Nonetheless, some units are expensive and require you to cough up more than $5,000 for installation.
Stiebel Eltron
This is a German-based brand that provides many options for homeowners looking for energy-efficient, long-lasting, and space-saving hot water systems. These include solar and gas systems, heat pumps, and electric options that can use 10%-50% less energy than most standard models.
The brand, which Dr. Theodor Stiebel founded in 1924, offers a 3-7-year warranty, depending on the hot water system you pick. Customers have reported that some of their products are noisy, though.
Vulcan
Vulcan gas and electric hot water systems are pocket-friendly and reliable, and they have a 4-star energy efficiency rating. In addition, the products are designed to last and often come with a 7-year warranty.
That said, the Australian-owned brand’s systems may leak and fail to provide enough hot water. They also feature different price tags depending on factors such as size, type, and features.
Enviroheat
Purchasing an Enviroheat hot water system offers numerous benefits, including significant cost savings, environmental friendliness, and reliability. These systems utilise advanced heat pump technology to deliver up to 71% energy savings. Compared to traditional water heaters, reducing both energy bills and carbon footprints.
Designed with eco-friendly refrigerants and whisper-quiet operation, Enviroheat systems ensure efficient and sustainable heating. They also boast durability with dual anodes and frostproof features, making them suitable for various climates and conditions. Additionally, their compatibility with solar power enhances energy efficiency. Allowing homeowners to maximise renewable energy use and further reduce reliance on grid electricity.
Types of Hot Water Systems to Compare
Below is an overview of the different types of hot water systems available:
- Electric Hot Water Systems: These use electricity to heat water directly or in a cylinder. All the brands we’ve mentioned above offer good options in this category.
- Gas Hot Water Systems: These water heaters use Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or natural gas to heat water. Although most of the brands we’ve discussed provide gas hot water systems, Rheem takes the cake for offering the fastest and most efficient options.
- Solar Hot Water Systems: As their name suggests, these hot water systems use the sun’s energy for heating water. Dux and Rinnai solar hot water systems are hailed as some of the best in the market.
- Heat Pump Systems: Like electric hot water systems, these devices use electricity, too. Even so, they are 2-3 times more energy efficient. Rinnai, Rheem, and Stiebel Eltron offer high-quality heat pump systems for Australian homeowners.
Factors to Consider When Comparing a Hot Water System Brand
When you compare hot water systems, brand is always important. But also, you should always mull over the following factors:
- Household Size and Water Usage: Opt for a brand whose options can meet your household’s hot water needs. For instance, a family of 5 requires a unit whose capacity sits at 283 litres or more.
- Installation Costs: The time and money it takes to install a hot water system boils down to the type you choose and its complexity. If you want to enjoy hot water quickly, select simple options that require less space and time to install.
- Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: To save on energy bills, consider hot water system brands that offer high energy efficiency ratings of 5 stars and above. Choose those that focus on eco-friendly features, too, as they can minimise your environmental impact and reduce your energy costs.
Choose the Right Hot Water System Brand for You
With this guide, selecting the best hot water system for your household should be a breeze. Remember to ensure your choice matches your home’s size, needs, and budget. Doing further research to uncover more about the brands we’ve discussed is also an excellent idea. This will help you make an informed decision about the best pick for you. If you want to learn more about hot water systems, contact RD Plumbing Solutions today!
Russell is a qualified Master Plumber, having been in the industry since 2004. He started his own company in 2013, and today, is a reputable company operating in metropolitan Adelaide. We are truly your local plumber!
We specialise in all aspects of plumbing services including 24 hour emergency response, blocked drains, drain camera inspections, pipe relining, gas fitting, hot water service & replacement, rain water tanks and all other home maintenance plumbing services. We aim to exceed your expectations in everyway and deliver the level of service that has made our business what it is today.
