Perth Households Turn to Heat Pumps as Energy Costs Climb
Perth households facing higher power bills and ageing hot water systems are increasingly turning to heat pump technology, with local plumbers reporting a steady rise in enquiries and installations across the metropolitan area.
Industry data from the Clean Energy Regulator shows heat pump hot water systems now make up a growing share of eligible energy-efficient upgrades in Western Australia, as consumers look for ways to cut costs without sacrificing reliability.
What Is a Heat Pump – and Why Are Perth Residents Switching?
Unlike traditional electric storage units that rely on an internal element, or gas systems that burn fuel directly, heat pumps work more like a reverse refrigerator, drawing warmth from the surrounding air and using it to heat water.
This air-to-energy approach means heat pumps can use significantly less electricity than a standard electric storage system, a factor that is becoming more attractive as utility prices rise and older units near the end of their service life.
Perth-based plumbing business Plumb It Right, which services suburbs from the city through to coastal communities up to Lancelin, says interest in heat pumps has accelerated over the past few years.
“We’re seeing more homeowners ask specifically about heat pumps, particularly when their old electric or gas storage system fails,” owner John Macleod said. “People want something that’s reliable, but they also want to bring their running costs down, and heat pumps are ticking both boxes in Perth’s climate.”
Made for Perth’s Climate and Changing Households
Energy specialists point out that Perth’s relatively mild winters and long, warm summers suit heat pump technology, which operates more efficiently in temperate conditions than in very cold climates.
“In a city like Perth, heat pumps can perform very efficiently because the ambient air temperature is usually within the ideal operating range,” independent energy consultant Sarah Lewis said. “For many households, they can cut hot water energy use by 60 to 70 per cent compared with older electric storage units, depending on how and when hot water is used.”
Local plumbers say that as families grow or working patterns change, demands on hot water systems are also shifting, prompting many to reassess capacity and efficiency at the same time.
“We often see a change in household use – people working from home more, teenagers taking longer showers or relatives moving in – and that’s when hot water issues start to show up,” Macleod said. “When we replace a failed system with a modern heat pump, clients are often surprised by how quickly it recovers and how steady the temperature is.”
From Emergency Call-Out to Long-Term Upgrade
While some Perth homeowners plan a heat pump installation as part of a broader renovation, many first encounter the technology during an emergency call-out when an existing system fails without warning.
Plumbing businesses such as Plumb It Right, which promotes fixed pricing, no call-out fees and 24/7 emergency support, say they are increasingly discussing heat pump options on-site when they assess a failed unit.
“A lot of the time, people just want hot water back on as quickly as possible, and our role is to explain the choices clearly,” Macleod said. “If a client is open to it, we’ll price a like-for-like replacement and a heat pump upgrade so they can make an informed decision on the spot.”
He said that alongside running cost savings, warranty periods on leading heat pump brands and the availability of compact models, such as 180-litre and 270-litre systems, are helping to build confidence among Perth property owners.
Environmental and Cost Pressures Driving Change
Rising concern about emissions is also contributing to the shift towards heat pumps in Perth, particularly among households that have already installed rooftop solar and are now seeking to maximise the value of their generation.
“We’re getting more calls from people who have put solar on the roof and want their hot water system to work smarter with it,” Macleod said. “Heat pumps are a natural fit for that, because you can use daytime solar to run the unit and store hot water for use later.”
Energy researchers note that hot water is often one of the largest contributors to household electricity use, meaning any improvement in efficiency can have a noticeable effect on bills over time.
“Switching to a high-efficiency heat pump can be one of the more impactful changes a household makes,” Lewis said. “When combined with solar, it can significantly reduce reliance on grid power for hot water, which is increasingly important as tariffs and cost-of-living pressures rise.”
Choosing a Heat Pump: What Perth Homeowners Are Asking
For many residents, the decision to install a heat pump raises practical questions rather than purely technical ones, with local plumbers reporting strong interest in noise levels, placement and serviceability.
“People want to know if a heat pump will be noisy in a small backyard, or whether it will fit where their old electric storage unit was,” Macleod said. “In most Perth homes we can either use the existing footprint or move the unit slightly to improve airflow, and reputable systems are designed to run quietly enough for suburban settings.”
According to installers, regular maintenance checks, correct sizing for the number of occupants and careful consideration of location – away from enclosed spaces and with sufficient air circulation – are among the key factors in ensuring long-term performance.
“A correctly specified and installed heat pump should be a set-and-forget solution for many years,” Macleod said. “Our focus is on getting the fundamentals right, because that’s what determines how well it will serve a household in the long run.”
Local Expertise as Heat Pumps Move Into the Mainstream
With manufacturers expanding their ranges and more Perth households looking for ways to lower energy use, plumbers expect heat pumps to account for a growing share of hot water installations across the city’s northern, southern, eastern and coastal suburbs.
“Heat pumps aren’t a niche product any more,” Macleod said. “They’re becoming a mainstream option that suits a lot of Perth homes, and we’re seeing that reflected in the number of systems we’re quoting and installing each month.”
For homeowners weighing up when to replace an older unit, Lewis recommends seeking advice before a failure occurs, but notes that a sudden breakdown can also be an opportunity to upgrade.
“If your system is more than a decade old, noisy, or struggling to keep up, it’s worth having a conversation with a licensed plumber about heat pumps and other efficient options,” she said.
Perth residents considering a move to heat pump hot water systems can speak with a licensed local plumber, such as Plumb It Right, to discuss suitable models, installation timeframes and costs for their property, with many providers offering over-the-phone quotes and same-day service across the metropolitan area.