Aquatech Heat Pump: Independent Review

Note: Solar Choice is not associated with Aquatech or any heat pump brand and has no financial or other incentives to promote any product brand over another.

At a Glance: Aquatech Rapid X6 Solar Choice Heat Pumps Score Card

$$ Price: The Aquatech Rapid X6 heat pump is listed on their website with an RRP of $2,295, making it a competitively priced option in the lower cost category. This affordability positions it as an attractive choice for budget-conscious consumers.

  • Efficiency: The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is reported at 5.43 at 20°C ambient temperature with 15°C inlet water temperature and target temperature of 55°C. For comparison purposes we estimate COP ranges based on a 20°C ambient water temperature, an inlet water temp of 15°C and target output temperature of 60°C. Thus we estimate their COP would be 4.5 to 5 in these conditions. We give Aquatech a good score of 4 points on efficiency.
  • Warranty Offer: The warranty offered on the Aquatech Rapid X6 and the Dynamic X8 models offers 5 years for parts/replacement on most of the components and 2 years for any associated labour costs. This is clearly set out in their user manual. Given the shorter duration for the coverage of labour costs we score this warranty 2 points out of 5. 
  • Customer Reviews: Reviews of the Rapid X6 suggest strong customer satisfaction, with an average score of 4.7  indicating that most users appreciate its reliability and efficiency. This robust feedback earns it 5 points.
  • Functionality: The Rapid X6 features wifi-compatibility, a built-in timer, quiet operation 42 dB(A) and various operating modes (Eco and Hybrid), and a non-sacrificial maintenance anode for enhanced durability in both soft and hard water conditions. However, the tank is not stainless steel and they lack some of the more advanced technological integrations seen in higher-end models scoring 4  points

Uncover essential details in the comprehensive guide below and find out what you need to know before you buy.

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Aquatech Company Background

Aquatech Solar Technologies Pty Ltd (Aquatech) was founded in 2009 and is a designer and distributor of energy efficient heat pump solutions. With over 10 years in the heat pump market, Aquatech have a longer history in heat pump hot water systems than many of their competitors. 

The company distributes heat pumps that are manufactured in China under a third party manufacturing agreement. These heat pumps are branded either Aquatech or under their sub-brand Hydrotherm. This review focuses on the Aquatech branded solutions. 

Aquatech have a local office based in Burleigh on the Gold Coast of Australia.

Aquatech Heat Pump Models

Aquatech have two models available in the Australian market named the Rapid X6 and the larger-capacity Dynamic X8 model. 

Aquatech Rapid X6 Heat Pump

The Rapid X6 is Aquatech’s smaller heat pump model with a 210 litre tank capacity. Our general guidelines is that each person will use around 50 litres of hot water per day and the water tank should be sized to 1.5x daily requirements to ensure that the heat pump can cater all year round. Under these guidelines the heat pump hot water solution could service households with up to 2-3 people. 

It is good to see that Aquatech’s heat pumps can be managed with either an LCD screen attached to the unit or remotely through their wifi-enabled app.

The Rapid X6 is an all-in-one unit with the heat pump attached above the water tank in a tall cylindrical solution. The unit measures almost 1.6m tall by 62cm in diameter. 

The Rapid X6 has a relatively quiet noise rating of 42 decibels and uses R290 refrigerant which has a much lower global warming impact than some of the alternatives. 

Aquatech Dynamic X8 Heat Pump

The dynamic X8 model is similar in appearance and performance to the Rapid X6 model, except it has a slightly larger water tank with a 260 litre capacity. Using our same guidelines, we would consider this able to cater to households with 3-4 persons depending on hot water usage and preferences.

As a result of the larger tank capacity, the unit is around 22cm taller measuring 1.8m by height and has the same diameter of 62cm.

The Dynamic X8 model has a louder noise rating for 49 decibels, so we would recommend installing this system away from entertaining areas or open windows. 

Aquatech Heat Pump Specs: Rapid X6 vs Dynamic X8 Compared

SpecificationRapid X6Dynamic X8
BrandAquatechAquatech
Tank Capacity210 Litres260 Litres
Width620mm620mm
Height1582mm1800mm
WarrantyTank – 5 Years Refrigeration – 5 Years Electronics – 5 Years Labour – 2 Years Valves – 1 YearTank – 5 Years Refrigeration – 5 Years Electronics – 5 Years Labour – 2 Years Valves – 1 Year
Noise Level42 dB(A)49 dB(A)
Wifi Controller Built in or CompatibleYesYes
Built In TimerYesYes
LED/LCD Status IndicatorYesYes
Corrosion Protection Anode (non-sacraficial)YesYes
Refrigerant290290
Manufactured inChinaChina
Coefficient of Performance (COP)5.43*5.43*

*Under test conditions at 20°C ambient temperature with 15°C inlet water temp and target temperature of 55°C 

How Much Does an Aquatech Heat Pump Cost?

The below prices are listed on Aquatech’s website as the recommended retail price. Please note that these prices do not include freight charges, installation or the STC rebate and any applicable state rebate in your area.

ModelPrice Range (AUD)
Aquatech Rapid X6 (210L) $2,295
Aquatech Dynamic X8 (260L)$2,895

These prices position Aquatech slightly below the average price in the market for a heat pump hot water system. 

Please note that the final price in your circumstances will vary depending on the applicable rebates and what is required to install the heat pump. 

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Aquatech Heat Pump Warranty Terms

Aquatech offers a 5 year warranty on all the major components of their heat pump system including the heat pump, the water tank and the electronics. Any labour costs associated with warranty claims are only covered for the first 2 years. This shorter labour warranty means their warranty offer stacks up towards the lower end of what’s offered on the market.


It should be noted that Aquatech offers a 6 year parts and labour warranty for the Dynamic X8 model under their separate brand-name Hydrotherm. This is only available to select plumbing partners. 

The valves which are supplied by third party manufacturers only come with a 1 year warranty for parts and labour. 

ComponentWarranty Length
Tank5-years
Electronics5-years
Refrigeration5-years

Aquatech do have a local support team at their head office on the Gold Coast in Queensland. They can be contacted on 1300 769 904 for technical support and warranty claims.

See full warranty details here

Aquatech Heat Pump: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  1. Efficiency: Aquatech heat pumps disclose a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 5.43 at 20 degrees ambient temperature. After facturing in testing conditions this compares well against many models in the market which typically offer COPs around 3.0 to 4.5.
  2. Noise Level: With a noise level of 42 dB(A) for the Rapid X6 model, it is among the quieter heat pumps available, beneficial for installations near living areas.
  3. Environmental Impact: Uses R290 refrigerant, which has a significantly lower global warming potential than traditional refrigerants used in many other heat pumps.

Cons:

  1. Warranty Labour Inclusions: The warranty offer covers a reasonable length of 5 years for all major parts. The labour costs however are only included for 2 years which is lower than some of the mid-range priced heat pump solutions. 
  2. No large solution: For bigger households of 5 or more, the water tank capacity of the 2 options offered by Aquatech may be too small for your requirements. 

Verdict: Are Aquatech Heat Pumps Worth It?

There are some trade-offs to consider with the Aquatech heat pumps in terms of the pros and cons, which is the case with all competitively priced solutions on the market. Notably the Aquatech heat pumps perform well in terms of their energy efficiency and the overall functionality including the wifi controller and quiet operation at 42 decibels (Rapid X6 model).

While there are some concerns around the short length in the warranty terms covering labour costs, this is countered by the overall positive feedback that can be seen from customers. With a score of 4.7 from over 500 reviews, the evidence suggests that the Aquatech heat pumps have performed well over the last 15 years they have been available on the Australian market.

Looking into heat pump hot water systems? Our comprehensive guide makes it easy, covering potential rebates, the real costs of hot water heat pumps, and the truth about ‘free’ upgrades. Learn about energy savings and understand the benefits and drawbacks with clear expert advice. For all you need to know before making a decision, check out our Heat Pump Hot Water Systems Buyers Guide.

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Reviews from Australians who have installed Aquatech Heat Pumps

Rated 4.81 from 16 reviews
5 star
15
4 star
0
3 star
0
2 star
1
1 star
0

Showing 16 of 16 Reviews

2nd December 2024
Troy
VIC - 3184
system
5.00

I wanted WiFi access, with automation options for element boost and a decent size tank. The Aquatech ticked all those boxes at a really good price. Very happy so far!

17th November 2024
Stephen
VIC - 3938
system
5.00

Reviews and information I found made Aquatech the obvious choice for me. First impressions are very good. water is hotter than my old instantaneous gas unit. Noise was a concern for me, but this Dynamic X8 is so quiet you can barely hear it from a couple of meters

5th November 2024
Garry
VIC - 3172
system
5.00

It looks great, works well and was recommended by Powrhouse

5th November 2024
Ferdous
VIC - 3030
system

Review left 1 years after system installed

5.00

Aquatics X8 Dynamic is a very silent system with low noise. Water heats up quickly and never runs out. We have 4 people in our house and the 268 litre tank seems good enough for us. Another highlight is the low electricity consumption. Despite the vintage look of the tank, it works perfectly with no issues. I recommend this system.

24th October 2024
Peter
VIC - 3919
system
5.00

So far I'm very happy with the Aquatech heat pump. The phone app which controls the unit is simple to use, but a little unreliable however.

14th October 2024
Meelis
VIC - 3032
9kW system
5.00

No complaints. Working well at this stage.

11th October 2024
Kate
VIC - 3149
6kW system
5.00

Works well - we only have it on during the day (9-4pm) and it stays hot for ages afterwards (at least 24 hours).

25th September 2024
Benjamin
VIC - 3153
system
5.00

Happy with the appearance and the size. Happy with the noise level, if fact It is very quiet. Only one problem is that the app needs 24Hz WiFi but I use 5G; so I could not use the app.

8th September 2024
Bill
VIC - 3160
system
5.00

Happy with the choice and thrilled that it has various settings that can be controlled using an App. Finding the most suitable program for my circumstances took a while but I have a good knowledge now to get the best out of the hot water system with lots of savings. If I have a change in my circumstances I can adjust the program to suit. I understand that most people would not go to these efforts to learn and would prefer set and forget.

7th September 2024
Howard
NSW - 2325
system
5.00

The Aquatech unit itself works extremely well. I can already see a reduction in power use, the water is hot and it is quieter than I thought it would be. Quite impressed. And the wi fi connectivity and control is both easy and excellent.

27th August 2024
Greg
-
system
5.00

Quiet, large, powerful. So far reliable!

4th December 2024
Shane
-
system
2.00

We purchased the X6, the units settings are very limited, due to the limitations of the direct user interface, and issues with the 3rd party app (aquatech customer service is aware of this, said the app is buggy, and suggests not to use it) 2 people, 1 shower with a very low flow shower head (4.9 Lpm) Even in summer (Victoria) The unit is only capable of a couple of showers before needing to reheat. The issue with this, is a very strong chance of the unit turning on in the middle of the night/very early morning before morning showers, or during morning showers (6-7am). The unit is very noisy, even though it is supposedly one of the quietest ones. It is not suitable to use the heat pump between 8pm and 8am. Even with windows shut, the unit is easily audible inside the house when running. Neighbours are in close proximity. The control restrictions due to app issues (I have not noticed any "bugs" so far, but the settings are simply incorrect, meaning you cannot change modes), mean that you cannot set timers, or scenes (the 3rd party app terminology for advanced timers). There is no point having multiple modes (eco, standard, hybrid, hybrid+, element), if you cannot even set them to run at different times of the day. You are locked into using only mode via the timer. for us to use this unit effectively, we would ideally be using eco mode during the day, and element only mode (ideally with control of manual trigger points) during the hours where we, and our neighbours are trying to get some sleep. I have contacted Aquatech and found the customer service to be bad, after a couple of emails they now appear to be ignoring us, their first reply admitted the app was not what it is meant to be/advertised to be, and basicallhy said bad luck, deal with it. They responded very, very fast the first time, now it has been a day and half with no response, and a direct question ignored. I contacted the app company (tuya) yesterday, time will tell if they respond, or fix their issue. Aquatech suggested it is unlikely, since they claim to have contacted tuya about the issue, and have not received a response themselves. This unit is marketed as having wifi and app control... but has a 3rd party app that can be used to control multiple other brands products, so would never be ideal, even if it did what it is meant to do. Very regrettable purchase at this stage. I only found this review while looking for ideas, and information, about how to make this thing feasible. The unit itself is not particularly ugly, however once plumbed, it is a definite eyesore (as per the photo). It also has an indented top, so it holds rainwater, which should evaporate at a resonable rate I guess, but seems a very odd choice.

6th November 2024
Paul
VIC - 3178
system
5.00

I decided to purchase the Aquatech X6 Hot Water Heat Pump after extensive research into heat pumps (to replace my still working gas heater) including products available, efficiency, upfront costs, cost to operate-cost savings, Govt. rebates, etc. Based on many reviews, I went with the Aquatech X6 as it ticked every box, including a very good Web site, and I chose Melbourne Heat Pumps for the purchase and installation. It’s early days however The Aquatech X6 runs beautifully and is good if not better than I hoped. It has multiple heating modes and timers to allow you to choose the best (most efficient, ie cheapest) way to heat, depending on your requirements. It’s amazingly customizable using the easy to use phone app, with 5 heating modes, so for example you can set up to work best with solar generation, large or small households, when to turn the heater on/off, extra heat demand, etc with end result you can fine tune the heater to minimize the running costs without compromising the supply of hot water. And the setup can be changed instantly via the app. with all relevant information available on the app. I’m still to fully tweak the optimization but I’m confident I can extract even better operation than currently. Note you don’t need to use the app. as the heater has it’s own control panel, just more fun to do it remotely!

12th October 2024
Peter
VIC - 3068
5kW system
5.00

25th September 2024
Simon
VIC - 3930
9kW system
5.00

29th May 2024
Janet
-
system
5.00

Showing 16 of 16 Reviews