FAQs

You can save up to 80% of your conventional electric hot water energy costs! The Sanden Eco® Plus Hot Water Heat Pump uses only 20% of the energy required by an electric storage hot water system.

Not only does a Sanden Eco® Plus Hot Water Heat Pump help save on energy costs, it also delivers:

(a) The Heat Pump Unit

• Innovative technology – up to 50% faster heat recovery than currently available Hot Water Heat Pumps.
• Industry leading quality & performance, with the highest level of STC values of currently available Hot Water Heat Pumps.
• Class leading warranties, backed by Sanden’s 35 years of operation in Australia.

(b) The Stainless Steel Storage Tank

• High quality, extra long life 316 Marine Grade stainless steel cylinder.
• Fully insulated for extremely low heat loss
• Safety pressure and temperature relief valve
• Mains pressure rated

The Sanden Eco® Plus Hot Water Heat Pump operates like a refrigerator in reverse. It contains a fan that forces air through an evaporator that contains a refrigerant. The heat in the air passes through the evaporator and is absorbed by a natural refrigerant, R744 (CO₂), which is ozone friendly and does not contribute to global warming.

The warm gaseous refrigerant is circulated in the system via a compressor. As it passes through the compressor, its pressure rises, as does its temperature. This hot refrigerant then passes through a heat exchanger to heat the water, which is finally pumped to the storage tank.

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Sanden has 4 hot water systems to choose from, model numbers GAUS-315FQS has a tank size of 315L, model number GAUS-300FQS has a tank size of 300L, model number GAUS-250FQS has a tank size of 250L and model GAUS-160FQS has a tank size of 160L. The Sanden Eco® Plus Heat Pump unit is the same for each system. Which one you choose depends on the space requirements of the location where you are installing it. Please speak to your local Sanden Dealer/Installer about making the best choice for your location.

Yes, but CO₂ has a Global Warming Potential (GWP – see below for explanation) of 1. Carbon dioxide is the baseline measurement of how it will contribute to global warming for a given mass.

Our system utilizes less than 1 kg of R744 (CO₂) as a refrigerant contained in a closed system at the factory. The installer does not need to charge the heat pump on site.

Global warming potential (GWP) is a measure of how much a given mass of greenhouse gas is estimated to contribute to global warming. It is a relative scale which compares the gas in question to that of the same mass of carbon dioxide (whose GWP is by convention equal to 1). A GWP is calculated over a specific time interval and this time interval must be stated whenever a GWP is quoted or else the value is meaningless.

• There is far less environmental impact (i.e. No ozone layer depletion and minimal global warming) than other commonly used refrigerants, should the system leak.
• There is a much higher efficiency, thereby allowing more heat to be transferred to the water, for less energy used (i.e. Excellent thermodynamic ability).

The Heat Pump unit is rated at a very low level of 37dB (measured at 1 metre distance from the unit), which is almost silent. By comparison, a whisper is around 30dB and inside a library is approximately 40dB.

Please be aware that there are noise limits and time restrictions for usage of heat pumps and Councils are responsible for enforcing these limits at residential properties during the following times:

• (i) Weekdays 7am to 10pm – allowable noise level is no more than 5dB(A) sound pressure above background noise
• (ii) Weekends and public holidays 8am to 10pm – allowable noise level is zero dB(A) above background noise.

Please check allowable noise level with your local Council, before purchasing your new Heat Pump system.

The Sanden Hot Water Heat Pump is sold and distributed by the Sanden Dealer network. Find your local Sanden Dealer/Installer or contact Sanden at sales@sanden.com.au or (02) 97910999 OR Freecall 1800 146 123.

The Sanden Hot Water Heat Pump is designed to last for 15 years. The high quality, weather resistant construction of the Eco® Plus Hot Water Heat Pump System outdoor module carries a warranty of 6 years (including parts and labour), whereas the high quality, extra long life stainless steel storage tank carries a class leading 15 year pro-rata warranty (including parts and labour).See Warranty Information for further details. 

The Sanden Hot Water Heat Pump will operate effectively between -10^oC and 43^oC, without the need for an electric backup/booster element. It is also fitted with in built freeze protection, making it suitable for all climates.

Please note that in cold climate regions, the Heat Pump unit will run during the night when the ambient temperature drops below 3^oC. If used in an off-grid system, please ensure that adequate power is available.

No, unlike other competitor Hot Water Heat Pump systems, the Sanden Eco® Hot Water Heat Pump system does not require an electric booster element

Yes, simply ensure that the off peak tariff supplies a minimum of 5 hours continuous power to the Sanden Hot Water Heat Pump. Please note that if hot water consumption has been exceptionally high, hot water may not be available until the next power supply cycle.

The purchase and installation of a Sanden Eco® Plus Hot Water Heat Pump entitles you to Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) – formerly known as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

For more information: visit www.environment.gov.au/climate-change and www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au The Sanden Hot Water Heat Pump achieves the highest level of STCs of any hot water heat pump, currently available in Australia, and these are as below:

ModelSTC Zone

	1	2	3	4	5
GAUS-160FQS*	18	18	21	23	23
GAUS-250FQS*	18	18	21	23	22
GAUS-300FQS*	18	18	21	23	23
GAUS-315FQS*	18	18	22	23	23
GAUS-315FQV*	18	18	22	23	23

* See Specifications for full details
Notes: This table details the number of STCs registered by The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) for the Sanden Eco® Plus Hot Water Heat Pump System. STC values are subject to change without notice and are correct at time of publishing. STC calculations are based on continuous tariff. A Sanden Eco® Plus Hot Water Heat Pump System consists of 1 x Heat Pump and 1 x Tank.

It all depends on whether your water quality is within our Sanden specification.

Our Sanden Warranty will only apply to the heat pump unit and the storage tank, where the water chloride level is less than 200 mg/litre and the pH is between 6.5 and 8.5. If the water quality falls outside these levels, it can corrode parts of the system and cause them to fail.

Water from a rainwater tank unit in a metropolitan or regional area is likely to be corrosive, due to dissolution of atmospheric contaminants.

Water with a pH less than 6.5 may be treated to raise the pH.

We recommend that water from your rainwater tank be professionally tested and if it is found to be outside the Sanden specification, please consult your local water treatment professional for appropriate corrective action.

Yes. Importantly, our Sanden Warranty does not apply to the heat pump unit and the storage tank, where the chloride level exceeds 200 mg/litre and the pH is less than 6.5 or more than 8.5. If in doubt, it is recommended that water chemistry information be sought from your local council or water supplier.

Please refer to the separate section on Water Quality here and also check the status of your postcode’s water quality by using our “Check Your Water Quality” calculator, located on the front page of this website.

If your postcode identifies as a poor water quality area, Sanden and Aquamax have developed a system solution (Model No. GAUS-315FQV), including a specially designed 315L tank (ie. commonly specified to suit the hot water needs of up to 6 x adults). This solution addresses the variable water chemistry (ie. total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Saturation Index (SI), pH and Chloride content of the water) in your area. Such water chemistry may have detrimental effects on the Aquamax stainless steel tank and its operation and therefore, Sanden’s high quality standards preclude the offer of a stainless steel tank.

Please contact the Sanden Dealer/Installer from whom you purchased your unit. If you are unable to reach your Dealer/Installer, then please call Sanden on (02) 97910999 OR Freecall 1800 146 123.

The Sanden system offers the best warranties currently available for any Hot Water Heat Pump system – 6 years full parts and labour on the Heat Pump Unit and 15 years Pro Rata full parts and labour on all Stainless Steel tanks. See Warranty Information for full details. 

In purchasing a new Hot Water Heat Pump system, we advise that you always carefully check the applicable product warranties so that you don’t get a shock if you’re compelled to claim on the warranty in future.

Yes. For efficient processing of warranty claims, should they arise, please register your Sanden Eco® Plus Hot Water Heat Pump here.

Yes. The Sanden Heat Pump unit has a Blockout Timer, which can be set to accept / block electricity supply during time periods that suit you. That means you can allow it to run when your PV system is generating electricity for your house.

Also, the Blockout Timer can be set to allow the Heat Pump unit to run during off peak electricity tariff periods where those are available.

The Sanden system is sold and installed in your home, by fully trained and authorised Sanden Dealers. You’ll be assured of a perfect installation first time, backed up by a professional warranty.

Please note that your new Sanden system must be installed by a Sanden Dealer in order for the Sanden Warranty to apply

Find your local Sanden Dealer/Installer using our Dealer/Installer locator, or contact Sanden.

Like any other electrical appliance, a Sanden can be affected by a surge in your power supply. If you have concerns about the quality of your power supply, we recommend you talk to your local electrician who can advise on the best way to protect all your electrical appliances. Power supply quality and surges are completely out of our hands, so damage to your Sanden heat pump unit is not included in the Sanden warranty if caused by a power surge.