Storage electric is the simplest hot water system — but it's also the most expensive to run. We'll spec one if it suits, or steer you toward heat pump or solar instead.
Electric storage is the cheapest to install and the most expensive to run — by a clear margin. A 250L electric storage system uses 4,500–5,500 kWh/year (~$1,500/yr at 30c/kWh).
It still has its place: holiday homes, very small households, or where there's no gas and no roof for solar.
Direct electric resistance heating has a COP of 1.0 — every unit of electricity becomes one unit of heat. Compare to a heat pump (COP 3.5–4.5) which produces 3–4× the heat for the same electricity. A typical 250L electric storage unit costs $1,300–$1,700/year vs $400–$500 for a heat pump.
Holiday homes (used rarely, low total energy), very small households (1–2 people, low hot water use), or homes with no gas access AND no roof space for solar/heat pump. Otherwise, almost always specify a heat pump instead.
Yes — electric storage is the only system that pairs cleanly with off-peak (controlled load) tariffs. Off-peak typically saves 30–40% on running costs vs anytime electric tariffs. Check with your electricity retailer for available off-peak plans.
"AHHAC delivered our 22-zone underfloor system on time, on budget and to spec. The crew were tidy, the documentation was thorough, and the commissioning was textbook."
"We've worked with AHHAC for 17 years. They've installed and serviced our hot water plant across three commercial buildings — and they pick up the phone on weekends."
"Three mobs quoted us; AHHAC's design was the only one based on a proper heat-loss calculation. The system runs beautifully — the others would've been oversized and expensive."