Electric SystemsÂ
Electric cylinders are the most common hot water system in New Zealand homes. Cold water flows into the cylinder, an element heats it, and the hot water is stored until you need it. When you turn on a hot tap, the used water is replaced with fresh cold water that gets heated.
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Low pressure or mains pressure?
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Low pressure: the traditional Kiwi setup, common in homes more than 20 years old. Hot water pressure is noticeably lower than your cold taps, so showers can feel weak.
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Mains pressure: hot and cold run at the same pressure, so showers are stronger and baths and sinks fill faster. Most new homes are built this way.
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A weak hot shower compared to the cold tap usually means a low-pressure cylinder. Many customers switch to mains pressure when their old cylinder needs replacing.
Heatpump Hotwater Systems
How they work
A hot water heat pump pulls heat from the outside air and uses it to heat the water in your cylinder. It moves heat instead of creating it with an element, so it uses far less power than a standard electric cylinder.
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Why they’re good
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Much lower running costs: typically 60 to 75% cheaper to run than a standard electric cylinder
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Uses about a third of the energy of an electric cylinder
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Lower power bills for families with high hot water use
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Lower emissions: a greener choice for your home
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Long lifespan: typically around 15 years
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Frees up space inside: the heat pump sits outside