Why Some Plumbers Avoid Heat Pumps — And Why JR Gas & Water Recommends Them
Heat pump hot water systems are becoming one of the most popular upgrades for Australian homes, especially for households looking to move away from older electric storage or gas hot water systems.
They can be highly efficient, work well in South East Queensland’s climate, and are a strong option for homeowners who want lower running costs over time.
So why do some plumbers still talk people out of heat pumps?
In many cases, it is not because heat pumps are bad. It is because heat pumps need to be selected, sized, positioned and installed properly. Some plumbers are more comfortable replacing like-for-like electric or gas systems because it is what they have always done.
At JR Gas & Water, we install heat pump hot water systems across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and nearby South East Queensland areas, and we recommend them where they genuinely suit the home.
This guide explains why some plumbers avoid heat pumps, where the criticism comes from, and why a properly selected heat pump can be one of the smartest hot water upgrades for the right household.
Quick answer
Some plumbers avoid heat pumps because they require more product knowledge, correct sizing, suitable placement, airflow, drainage, electrical consideration and customer education than a basic like-for-like hot water replacement.
That does not mean heat pumps are unreliable or unsuitable. It means the installer needs to understand how they work.
JR Gas & Water recommends heat pumps where they suit the property, especially for homes replacing older electric storage systems, households with solar PV, and customers wanting a more efficient stored hot water option.
If you are comparing options, start with heat pump hot water systems, or compare against electric hot water systems, gas storage hot water systems and instant gas hot water systems.
Why do some plumbers dislike heat pumps?
Heat pumps are different from traditional electric and gas hot water systems.
A standard electric storage system uses an element to heat water directly. A gas storage or instant gas system uses gas combustion. A heat pump uses electricity to move heat from the surrounding air into the water.
That difference matters.
A heat pump needs:
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suitable outdoor location
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airflow around the unit
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correct system sizing
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drainage for condensate
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suitable electrical setup
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noise consideration
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correct timer or operating mode setup
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clear customer expectations
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good product selection
For plumbers who mostly do basic like-for-like replacements, heat pumps can feel more complicated. But when they are installed correctly, they can be a very strong hot water solution.
“Heat pumps are too hard to install”
This is one of the most common objections.
Heat pumps are not too hard to install, but they do require proper planning. The installer needs to consider more than just hot and cold water connections.
A good heat pump installation considers:
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where the unit will get enough airflow
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whether the location is too close to bedrooms or neighbours
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whether the base is stable and level
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where condensate will drain
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whether the existing valves need upgrading
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whether the electrical supply is suitable
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whether the household needs a timer or smart control
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whether the system is sized correctly
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whether access is suitable for installation and future servicing
A heat pump is not something that should be thrown into any spare corner just because it physically fits.
JR Gas & Water approach
JR Gas & Water helps customers choose from practical categories such as budget heat pump systems, quiet heat pump systems, large family heat pumps, WiFi and smart control heat pumps, and plug-in replacement heat pumps.
That makes it easier to match the system to the actual property, not just the lowest price.
“Heat pumps are too expensive”
Heat pumps usually cost more upfront than a basic electric storage replacement. That part is true.
But upfront cost is only one part of the decision.
A standard electric storage hot water system can be cheaper to install, but it may cost more to run over time. A heat pump can use electricity more efficiently by moving heat from the air rather than generating all heat directly through an element.
Heat pumps may make sense if:
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you are replacing an older electric storage system
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your electricity bills are high
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you have solar PV
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you want a more efficient stored hot water system
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you plan to stay in the home long enough to benefit from lower running costs
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rebates or incentives are available at the time of purchase
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the home has a suitable outdoor location
Heat pumps may not make sense if:
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you need the lowest upfront cost only
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the installation location is unsuitable
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the household has very unusual demand
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the system would be installed in a noise-sensitive location
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the home already has a very suitable gas setup and the customer prefers gas
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electrical or site upgrade costs make the job poor value
The right decision is not “heat pumps are always cheaper” or “heat pumps are always expensive.” The right decision is whether the lifetime value makes sense for your home.
“Heat pumps do not work in cold weather”
This is often repeated, but it is too simplistic.
Modern heat pumps are designed to operate across a range of conditions. Some models are better suited to colder climates than others, and some are better suited to warm regions like Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
For South East Queensland homes, heat pumps can be a very practical option because the climate is generally favourable for heat pump operation.
What actually matters
Cold-weather performance depends on:
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the model selected
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ambient air temperature
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installation location
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airflow
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tank size
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household demand
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boost element settings
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timer settings
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recovery expectations
A poorly selected system may disappoint. A correctly selected system can perform very well.
JR Gas & Water approach
JR Gas & Water compares systems based on real household needs, including whether a home is better suited to a mainstream model like the Rheem AmbiPower 280L, Rheem AmbiHeat 270L, iStore 270L, Stiebel Eltron WWK302H, or a premium CO2 option like the Reclaim CO2 315L V2 WiFi.
“Heat pumps take too long to heat water”
Heat pumps work differently from gas continuous flow and standard electric storage systems.
They are not designed to behave exactly like instant gas. They are stored hot water systems that recover using heat pump technology, and sometimes a boost element depending on the model.
That means sizing and setup are critical.
Slow recovery complaints often come from:
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undersized tanks
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poor installation location
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incorrect timer settings
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heavy hot water use
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unrealistic expectations
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wrong model for the household
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poor airflow
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relying on a budget system for high-demand use
A heat pump that suits a two-person household may not suit a busy family with teenagers, multiple bathrooms and long back-to-back showers.
What to check before choosing a heat pump
Before selecting a system, consider:
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number of people in the home
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number of bathrooms
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shower length
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morning and evening usage patterns
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laundry use
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whether the home has solar PV
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available installation space
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noise-sensitive areas
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whether a larger family system is needed
For high-demand homes, compare large family heat pump systems rather than assuming every 250L or 270L model will perform the same.
“Heat pumps break down easily”
Heat pumps are more complex than a basic electric storage tank, but that does not mean they are unreliable.
Many heat pump problems come from poor product selection, poor placement, poor setup or unrealistic expectations rather than the technology itself.
Common reasons heat pumps disappoint
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wrong system size
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poor airflow
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bad installation location
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drainage not considered
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cheap unit selected for the wrong application
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noise complaints due to poor placement
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customer not shown how settings work
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no consideration of household demand
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installation not matched to the manufacturer’s requirements
A good heat pump installation is not just a product swap. It is a proper system selection.
JR Gas & Water approach
JR Gas & Water installs heat pumps with the full setup in mind, including system choice, location, valves, drainage, electrical considerations, timers, smart controls and household demand.
If a heat pump is not the best fit, JR Gas & Water can also compare electric hot water, gas hot water, instant gas hot water, and solar hot water.
“Heat pumps use too much power”
Heat pumps use electricity, but they generally use it differently from standard electric storage systems.
A standard electric system uses an element to generate heat directly. A heat pump uses electricity to run a compressor and fan that move heat from the surrounding air into the water.
That is why heat pumps can be much more efficient than standard electric storage in suitable conditions.
Heat pumps can be especially useful when paired with:
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solar PV
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timer settings
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daytime operation
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smart relays
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off-peak strategies where suitable
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correctly sized tanks
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suitable household usage patterns
For homes with solar, a heat pump can often be set up to run during the day when solar generation is available, depending on the system, electrical setup and household requirements.
“Gas is just better”
Gas hot water can still be a good option. JR Gas & Water installs and works with gas systems as well, including gas storage hot water systems and instant gas hot water systems.
But gas is not automatically better for every home.
Gas hot water may suit if:
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the home already has suitable gas supply
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the existing gas system is a straightforward replacement
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the customer prefers instant hot water
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upfront cost is the priority
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the gas pipework and location are suitable
Heat pump hot water may suit if:
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the home has solar PV
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the customer wants to reduce gas use
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the existing electric system is expensive to run
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the property has a good outdoor location
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the owner wants a more efficient stored hot water option
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long-term running costs matter
The best plumber should not push one technology every time. They should recommend the system that suits the home.
Why JR Gas & Water recommends heat pumps
JR Gas & Water likes heat pumps because they can be a very strong solution when they are chosen properly.
They are especially useful for Brisbane, Gold Coast and South East Queensland homes because the warmer climate can suit heat pump operation well for much of the year.
Heat pumps can offer:
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efficient stored hot water
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lower running costs compared with many older electric systems
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strong compatibility with solar PV
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reduced reliance on gas
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modern control options
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good options for families
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practical replacement pathways for old electric tanks
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budget, mid-range and premium choices
JR Gas & Water does not recommend heat pumps because they are trendy. We recommend them when the property, budget and household demand make sense.
Best homes for heat pump hot water
A heat pump may be a strong choice if your home has:
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an old electric storage system
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high hot water running costs
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solar panels
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suitable outdoor space
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good airflow around the installation area
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enough space for the tank size required
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a household that uses most hot water in predictable patterns
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interest in lowering long-term energy use
Heat pumps can suit many family homes, rental properties and owner-occupied homes when selected correctly.
Homes where a heat pump may not be the best option
Heat pumps are not perfect for every site.
A heat pump may not be ideal if:
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there is no suitable outdoor location
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the only available spot is beside a bedroom window
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airflow is poor
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drainage cannot be managed properly
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the household needs very high recovery without correct sizing
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the owner only wants the lowest upfront cost
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the existing gas system is already ideal for the home
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installation upgrades make the total cost poor value
This is why site details matter. Photos, model numbers, household size and usage patterns help narrow down the best option.
What size heat pump do you need?
As a rough guide:
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180L to 220L may suit smaller households
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250L to 280L may suit many standard family homes
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300L to 315L may suit larger households
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320L and above may suit large families or higher-demand homes
The right size depends on:
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number of people
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number of bathrooms
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shower habits
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peak demand times
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laundry use
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available installation space
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whether solar PV will be used
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recovery expectations
If you regularly run out of hot water, do not just replace the old system with the same size. Compare capacity and recovery properly.
What JR Gas & Water can help with
JR Gas & Water helps homeowners, landlords, property managers and businesses compare, supply and install hot water systems across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and nearby South East Queensland areas.
Depending on the home, JR Gas & Water can help with:
If you are not sure what suits your home, send photos of your current system, the model number, household size, number of bathrooms, suburb and any issues you are having with hot water.
Related JR Gas & Water services
FAQs
Why do some plumbers not recommend heat pumps?
Some plumbers avoid heat pumps because they require more planning than a simple like-for-like electric or gas replacement. Heat pumps need correct sizing, good airflow, suitable placement, drainage, electrical consideration and proper setup.
That does not mean heat pumps are bad. It means they need to be installed by someone who understands the technology.
Are heat pump hot water systems worth it?
For many homes, yes. Heat pumps can be worth it when the property has suitable outdoor space, the household uses enough hot water to benefit from efficiency gains, and the system is sized correctly.
They are especially worth comparing if you are replacing an older electric storage system.
Do heat pumps work in Brisbane and the Gold Coast?
Yes, heat pumps can work very well in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and surrounding South East Queensland areas when selected and installed correctly.
The warmer climate can suit heat pump operation, but the unit still needs proper airflow, drainage and placement.
Do heat pumps run out of hot water?
Any stored hot water system can run out if it is undersized for the household. Heat pumps need to be matched to the number of people, bathrooms, shower habits and peak usage times.
If you have a larger family or high hot water demand, compare larger heat pump systems rather than choosing only by price.
Are heat pumps noisy?
Heat pumps make some operating noise because they use a fan and compressor. Noise varies by model and installation location.
If the unit will be near bedrooms, living areas or neighbours, compare quiet heat pump systems and choose the installation location carefully.
Is a heat pump better than gas hot water?
A heat pump may be better if you want higher efficiency, have solar PV, and want to reduce gas use.
Gas hot water may be better if your home already has suitable gas supply, you want continuous flow hot water, or upfront replacement cost is the main priority.
The right choice depends on your home.
Can I replace my electric hot water system with a heat pump?
Yes, many homes can replace an old electric storage system with a heat pump. The site still needs to be checked for space, airflow, drainage, electrical requirements and household demand.
What information should I send for a heat pump quote?
Send photos of the current hot water system, the model number, household size, number of bathrooms, suburb, access photos and whether the home has solar PV.
This helps JR Gas & Water recommend a suitable heat pump or compare other hot water options.
Ready to compare heat pump hot water systems?
If another plumber has talked you out of a heat pump without properly explaining the reasons, it may be worth getting a second opinion.
JR Gas & Water can help compare heat pumps, electric hot water, gas hot water and instant gas systems so you can choose what actually suits your home.
Browse heat pump hot water systems, compare large family heat pumps, or send photos and site details through for a custom recommendation.
