Insights

Industry insights and updates

Scheme and standards news, plus the analysis we send to our newsletter subscribers on heat pump water heater performance, testing and the Australian and New Zealand incentive schemes.

1 September 2026

Newsletter

Air-to-Water Heat Pumps Save More Energy, Not Less, in Colder Climates

Cold air costs COP, but colder mains water adds more load than the COP loss takes away. Modelled results across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Auckland and Dunedin show cold locations saving the same or more kilowatt hours per year than warm ones.

15 July 2026

Newsletter

Evangelists and Complainers: What Owners Say About Their Heat Pump Water Heater

We classified around 2,000 Australian and New Zealand owner reviews and forum posts across six public sources. Running cost is the most discussed topic and the most positive. Reliability is the only topic that runs net-negative.

1 June 2026

AS/NZS 4234 Amendment 1: A New Condenser Model for Integral Heat Pump Water Heaters

AS/NZS 4234:2021 Amendment 1 formalises a physical condenser model for integral heat pump water heaters, replacing DThx calibration for VEU and ESS modelling. Here's what changed, which schemes it affects, and what it means for manufacturers.

22 May 2026

AS/NZS 5125.1 Appendix H Published for Heat Pump Water Heater MEPS Testing

Standards Australia has published AS/NZS 5125.1:2014 Amd 1, introducing Appendix H for heat pump water heater performance testing ahead of proposed GEMS MEPS requirements.

19 May 2026

New MEPS Testing Coming for Heat Pump Water Heaters

AS/NZS 5125.1 Appendix H and upcoming MEPS will introduce significant changes for HPWH manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand. Here's what you need to know.

5 May 2025

New Federal Rebates for Small-Scale Solar Battery Systems

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program will be introduced by 1 July 2025, subsidising small-scale batteries installed alongside rooftop solar under the SRES.

24 April 2025

Clean Energy Regulator Releases V54 Register

The CER released Version 54 of the Register of Solar Water Heaters, listing eligible heat pump models for STCs under the SRES. We explain how to calculate your STC value.

1 May 2024

Carbon Energy Professionals Conference Review

EnergyAE participated in the CEP Conference 2024 in Christchurch, showcasing our heat pump energy modelling services to 200 attendees from 135 companies.

1 March 2024

Peak Demand Reduction Scheme Rule Changes

NSW's PDRS has been amended to restrict large heat pump water heaters from SRES incentives and remove underutilised activities, effective mid-2024.

1 September 2023

New Incentives for Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters

New commercial and industrial air source heat pump water heater activities have been introduced to the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) and NSW Energy Saving Scheme (ESS).

1 May 2023

Proposed Changes to the VEU Program

Engage Victoria is consulting on changes to the VEU program affecting solar and heat pump water heaters, including a transition from AS/NZS 4234:2008 to the 2021 standard.

15 April 2016

European Innovation in Solar District Heating

Alastair visited Denmark to explore large-scale solar thermal district heating and how those innovations might be applied to Australian industrial processes.