Canberra's climate and your heat pump
Cold nights
Canberra Airport, with records from 2008, averages 58.8 days a year at or below 0°C, and its coldest reading is -8.7°C.
The Government's view
The ACT Government says heat pump systems have come a long way over the last 10 years and work well even in the ACT's cold climate. It recommends researching a high-quality model suited to that climate.
Placement and neighbours
According to the ACT Government, an outdoor unit can raise questions of space, ventilation, noise regulations and placement near windows or driveways.
Picking a model for a cold climate
Ask for the model's performance figures at low air temperatures, not just the headline rating. Ask how it deals with frost on the outdoor unit, and whether it has a backup element for the coldest mornings.
Think about the outside pipework, too. The ACT Government's advice is to insulate all pipes and storage tanks, and on a frosty night the run between an outdoor unit and the tank is the exposed part.
Switching from gas
The ACT Government says most Canberrans use gas for hot water, so a heat pump often means leaving gas behind. If gas still runs a cooktop or heater, keep the account. If the heat pump replaced your last gas appliance, the ACT suggests asking your licensed gas tradesperson to cap the line on the customer side of the meter.
After that you choose between disconnection and abolishment. Our Canberra gas fitters page compares the two, and the gas to heat pump guide covers the swap itself.
Paying for it
Hot water heat pumps are on the Sustainable Household Scheme's eligible list, so you can borrow between $2,000 and $20,000 for one at 3% interest. Concession card holders who own and live in the home may get Home Energy Support: half the supply and installation cost, up to $2,500, once the ACT Government pre-approves it.
STCs can lower the price again when the model is under 425 L and listed on the register. Our STC page explains how the agent arrangement works.
Questions to ask about a heat pump in Canberra
- How does this model perform when the air is below freezing?
- Where will the outdoor unit go, and does that spot meet the noise and placement rules?
- Is the model on the STC register and on the Sustainable Household Scheme list?
- Will the outside pipework be insulated against frost?
- If this replaces my last gas appliance, will you cap the gas line?
What we would do
Shortlist models by how they perform in sub-zero air, then choose the spot before the brand: away from bedroom windows, with room to breathe, and with the shortest pipe run you can manage. Get the outside pipes lagged as part of the job. If you hold a concession card, have Home Energy Support approved before you accept the quote.