Heat Pumps Australia — The 2026 Hub for Hot Water, Heating & Cooling
A heat pump uses 3–5× less electricity than a standard element to deliver the same heating or hot water. This is the single biggest efficiency upgrade most Australian homes can make — and rebates often cover 50–100% of the cost.
Hot water
$2.5k–$5.5k installed · $0–$1.5k after rebates · saves $400–$900/yr
Hot-water rebate guide →Reverse-cycle heating
$1.5k–$3.5k per room · 3–5× cheaper than gas heating per MJ delivered
VEU + PDRS rebates →Understanding COP & ZERL
COP (Coefficient of Performance) = heat out ÷ electricity in. A COP of 4 means 1 kWh of electricity delivers 4 kWh of heat. Aim for COP 4+ in mild climates, 3+ in cold zones.
ZERL (Zoned Energy Rating Label) shows performance in hot, average, and cold Australian climate zones — far more useful than the old single star rating. Check zoned-energy-rating.energyrating.gov.au before buying.
Plan a heat pump upgrade with a NatHERS assessor
For renos and new builds, modelling the envelope first lets you right-size the heat pump and unlock bigger rebates.