Five people. Plenty of showers. A move away from gas. The perfect chance to review the Emerald All-In-One 320L Pro heat pump.
Switching from gas doesn’t mean compromising on hot water. With the right heat pump, households can enjoy reliable hot water while reducing energy use and, if they have solar panels, making better use of their solar power.
When Energy Matters’ Nicole Stegmann replaced her gas-boosted solar hot water system with an Emerald Hot Water Heat Pump, she was looking for a reliable hot water solution that could also make better use of her home’s solar and battery setup.
Watch the full review below to hear about the installation, everyday hot water performance and how the system is working with the home’s solar and battery.
Why switch to a heat pump hot water system?
Nicole Stegmann from Energy Matters already had solar panels and a home battery, but hot water remained one of the household’s major gas-dependent appliances.
The existing system used solar thermal collectors with a gas booster, with gas doing much of the work during Victoria’s cooler months.
Replacing the system with an electric heat pump was the next step towards electrifying the home and making better use of its existing solar and battery investment.
Unlike conventional electric hot water systems, which use an electric element to heat water directly, a heat pump extracts heat from the surrounding air and transfers it into the water. This allows it to heat water using substantially less electricity than traditional electric resistance heating.
The home and the install
Nicole’s home in Victoria runs on a busy schedule: five people, plenty of showers, and a gas-boosted solar hot water system that leaned heavily on gas through the cooler months.
Why the Emerald All-In-One Pro?
With five people in the household, having enough hot water was a big priority. The system needed to deliver everyday comfort without requiring the family to change its routines.
After discussing the available options with Jordan from O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Rowville, the household selected the Emerald All-In-One Pro 320L E model.
What Energy Matters found
- Hot water that keeps up with five people. Even through a Victorian winter, the 320L tank delivered for the whole family without running out.
- Running on stored solar. Over the first month, the home battery covered 100% of the heat pump’s electricity use. That’s sunshine collected during the day, heating water when the family needs it.
- Quiet enough to forget about. The system could be heard when standing nearby, but wasn’t noticeable from inside the house. Installation location can influence how noticeable operating noise is.
- Backup for busy days. A built-in electric element and Boost Mode give extra heating when demand spikes, like a run of back-to-back showers.
- Control from your phone. Emerald App shows water temperature, how much hot water is left and energy information, as well as control the system and activate Boost Mode remotely.
How solar and battery storage can make a difference
The household’s existing solar and battery setup provided an opportunity to see how a heat pump can work alongside other energy-efficient home technology.
During its first month of operation, Nicole reported that its home battery supplied 100% of the electricity used by the Emerald heat pump.
This meant the household could use stored solar energy to heat its water rather than purchasing electricity from the grid specifically for that purpose during the period reviewed.
Of course, results will vary depending on solar generation, battery capacity, household consumption, weather conditions and when the heat pump operates.
How much can a heat pump save on energy bills?
Reducing gas consumption was a key motivation behind the switch. Before the installation, the household’s gas bills averaged around $1,500 a year, although gas was also used for cooking and heating.
Based on her initial assessment, Nicole expects the change to reduce annual energy costs by approximately $500–$600.
These are projected savings rather than a full-year measured result. Actual savings will depend on the household’s previous hot water system, energy tariffs, usage patterns and any remaining gas appliances.
For homes with solar and battery storage, the potential to use self-generated electricity may further influence running costs.
A practical step towards a more energy-efficient home
Replacing a hot water system can make a meaningful difference to everyday energy use and household bills.
The Energy Matters review demonstrates how an Emerald All-In-One 320L Pro can fit into a real household, providing the hot water a family needs while supporting its broader move towards electrification.
We’d like to thank Nicole and the Energy Matters team for sharing their experience, as well as Jordan and the team at O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Rowville for arranging and completing the installation.
You can read Nicole’s original review on the Energy Matters website
Thinking about making the switch?
Explore the Emerald All-In-One Pro range to learn more about its features, connected controls and available capacities, or find an Emerald installer to discuss the right hot water solution for your home.