Hot water
Save water at home
Use water efficiently in your home to save thousands of litres each year. You could also reduce your water bill.
In the bathroom, laundry and kitchen, you can:
- take shorter showers
- arrange for a plumber to fit a water-saving showerhead
- turn taps off firmly
- only run your dishwasher when it is full.
Choose water-efficient appliances by checking the water rating and energy-rating labels.
Heat water efficiently
After heating your rooms, heating your water is the next biggest user of energy at home.
You can cut down on hot water usage by:
- limiting showers to 3 to 4 minutes
- installing water-saving showerheads and taps, and fixing leaks
- washing clothes in cold water
- reducing the temperature on your hot water tank or instantaneous system
- insulating all pipes and storage tanks
- installing a new efficient electric hot water heat pump.
Make smart purchases
Look for high star ratings when purchasing a hot water system.
Hot water heat pumps
Hot water heat pump systems have evolved significantly over the last 10 years and work well, even in the ACT's cold climate.
Heat pumps use 55 to 80% less energy than standard electric storage or gas hot water systems.
Good quality electric hot water heat pump systems are the lowest running cost solution for the ACT climate, using even less energy than a solar hot water system with a gas or electric booster. This also frees up roof space for solar panels to power your home.
It’s worth doing some research to choose a high-quality hot water pump suitable for the ACT's climate.
Find out the latest top-rated CHOICE electric appliances
Did you know that ACT Government has a partnership with CHOICE and you can now access their top-rated appliance recommendations for cooking, heating and cooling, and hot water heat pumps across all budget types?
Visit the Make your next choice electric website to complete your transition plan, see some of the top-rated electric appliances and learn how much you could save annually on your bill.
Find out about hot water heat pump savings through the:
Solar tubes
These systems are a series of tubes containing copper pipes that sit on the roof of a property. When sunlight hits the tubes, water in the copper pipes heats up and is transferred to a storage tank until it is ready to be used.
Evacuated solar tube systems provide excellent performance in overcast conditions and can be used in sub-zero temperatures. However, it’s worth considering a flat panel solar system to provide benefits to your household beyond your hot water system.
Electric storage
A standard hot water unit is the least efficient way to heat water. If your system is over 10 years old, it might be time to find a more energy efficient replacement.
Gas
While natural gas is used for instantaneous and gas storage hot water systems, it’s best to switch from gas to electric to save money on your bills and reduce carbon emissions. Choose a more efficient electric option.
Did you know?
Upgrading your gas hot water system to an electric heat pump can help reduce your emissions by around 10 tonnes over the heat pump’s life while potentially saving about $150 per year. Discover how much money you can save if you transition to all-electric.
Ready to start? Get help from our one stop shop
Our Sustainable Home Advice service is your one stop shop to get information on how to reduce your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. You can also learn about what ACT Government supports and rebates you may be eligible for.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.