Hydrotherm Heat Pump: Independent Review by Solar Choice

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

At a Glance: Hydrotherm Dynamic X8 Gen 6 Scores 4.0 Out of 5

Scoring is based on our heat pump scorecard, which is consistently applied to each brand and heat pump on the Australian market.

$$$ Price Hydrotherm heat pumps are priced in the mid-range bracket ($3,300–$4,100). However, they are very similar in design and components to Aquatech systems, which typically retail in the lower-cost range. This makes warranty, company backing and reviews key factors to consider in determining overall value for your situation.

  • Company Backing & Trust3/5: The brand has a physical office in Burleigh Heads and more than five years of trading history. However, it is not diversified beyond heat pumps and does not appear to maintain a large Australian-based team.
  • Warranty Offer – 4/5: The DYNAMIC/X8 model comes with a strong 6-year full warranty covering both parts and labour, including the tank. This places it ahead of many competitors, especially given the labour warranty terms.
  • Customer Reviews 5/5: Feedback is limited, but the available customer review is highly positive (5/5), meeting the scorecard threshold for full marks in this category.
  • Functionality – 4/5: The DYNAMIC/X8 offers strong performance with 12.9W/L heating power, multiple heating modes, integrated LCD display, and app-based control via Tuya. While feature-rich, it falls short of the quiet operation benchmark with a sound rating of 49 dBA measured at 1.65 metre, which is something to consider if placing this next to living areas.

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Hydrotherm Company Background

The Queensland, Australia-based company Aquatech Solar Technologies Pty Ltd offers a line of heat pump hot water systems known as Hydrotherm. Aquatech was founded in 2009 and is focused on energy efficiency solutions compatible with Australian condition.

Hydrotherm is effectively a brand name offered by Aquatech . The Aquatech and Hydrotherm heat pump hot water systems in the Australian market are very similar in terms of their features and performance characteristics. Aquatech are planning on releasing a new Hydrotherm-branded solution with a larger water tank than current models later this year.

Hydrotherm have an office based in Burleigh on the Gold Coast of Australia.

Hydrotherm Heat Pump Models

The main Hydrotherm branded heat pump solution on the market currently is the Dynamic X8 model. The company has stopped producing this product however in anticipation of launching a new heat pump solution towards the end of the year with a larger water tank.

Hydrotherm Dynamic X8 Gen 6

The Hydrotherm Dynamic X8 is a 260 litre all-in-one heat pump hot water system. This means the heat pump compressor is built on top of the water tank in a tall cylindrical unit.

The 260 litre capacity would suit up to 3 person households assuming each person would use 50 litres of hot water per day and the hot water tank is sized to 1.5x normal daily requirements. For lower users of hot water it may suit more people, however Hydrotherm’s data sheet suggests it can cater up to 6 people which seems ambitious.

The heat pump hot water system comes with a shiny metallic solution. However the tank is made from vitreous enamel, not stainless steel, like some of the premium solutions on the market.

The unit does come with both a wifi controller and a LCD display on the unit giving the user the flexibility to manage the configuration of the system at the unit or remotely via the app.

The unit is rated on the slightly louder side (49dbA), so we would recommend that it is installed away from entertaining areas or windows that are kept open.

How Much Does an Hydrotherm Heat Pump Cost?

The below price reflects the cost of the heat pump excluding freight, installation, the STC rebate and any state rebates that might apply in your circumstances.

ModelRetail Price Range (AUD)
Dynamic X8 (260L)$3,300 – $4,100

Installation charges can vary significantly based on local labour rates and the complexity of the installation.

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Hydrotherm Heat Pump X8 GEN 6 Warranty Terms

Hydrotherm branded heat pumps come with a 6 year comprehensive warranty covering parts and labour on the majority of the system. This is one of the better warranty offers available on the market. Note that the equivalent Aquatech-branded Dynamic X8 heat pump comes with a less favourable warranty offer.

The 6-year warranty only excludes the third party valves which come with the heat pump which are a normal exclusion. It is good to see the 6-year warranty includes the labour up to the maximum coverage period which are sometimes excluded or cut off after the first 2 years.

ComponentCoverage PeriodCoverage Details
Tank (Domestic Use)6 yearsFull replacement for major faults, includes parts and labour if installed correctly.
Electronic Components6 yearsFull parts and labour covered when serviced by approved agent.
Refrigeration Components6 yearsFull parts and labour included.
Supplied Valves1 yearParts and labour covered (third-party manufacturer coverage).
Major Failure6 yearsFull system replacement if tank fails or performance is compromised.
Minor Defects6 yearsFree parts and labour via approved agents, reimbursement process available.
Commercial Use (All Parts)3 yearsCoverage drops to 3 years for tank, electronics, and refrigeration; 1 year for valves.

Full warranty details available here.

Minor Defects vs Major Defects

One notable clause in the warranty policy is that the parts and labour warranty will determine whether the claim relates to a minor or major defect. Effectively if the heat pump is still operational, the minor defect will be resolved by repairing the system (Hydrotherm covering parts and labour costs) and a major defect will entail replacing the system altogether.

Hydrotherm can be contacted at Aquatech’s office in Burleigh, QLD on 1300 769 904.

See Hydrotherm’s full warranty T&Cs at the end of their user manual.

Hydrotherm DYNAMIC/X8: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Strong Warranty Coverage: Full 6-year warranty on parts and labour for both tank and electronics, including clear procedures for both minor and major faults.
  • High Functionality: Includes app-based WiFi control, an integrated LCD display, and multiple heating modes and timer windows.
  • Good Heating Performance: Delivers 12.9W per litre of tank capacity, exceeding the Solar Choice benchmark.
  • Positive Customer Feedback: Limited reviews to date, but the available customer rating is a perfect 5/5.
  • Established Brand: Over five years of operational history with a local office in Burleigh Heads.

Cons

  • Mid-Range Price: At $3,300–$4,100, it costs more than similar systems like Aquatech, despite having nearly identical core technology.
  • Noise Level: Measured at 49 dBA at 1.65 metres, which exceeds the scorecard’s quiet operation threshold of <45 dBA at 1 metre.
  • Limited Brand Diversification: Hydrotherm focuses solely on heat pumps and does not appear to have a large team or product footprint beyond that niche.

Verdict: Are Hydrotherm Heat Pumps Worth It?

The Hydrotherm DYNAMIC X8 Gen 6 scores 4.0 out of 5 based on Solar Choice’s independent heat pump scorecard. It offers a strong 6-year full parts and labour warranty, solid functionality including WiFi and LCD controls, and good performance (12.9W/L). However, it is slightly louder than benchmark levels and priced higher than near-identical systems like Aquatech. Warranty remains valid with any licensed installer, though warranty repairs must go through approved service agents. Overall, it’s a well-specified system with strong warranty terms, though buyers should weigh cost, noise, and installer obligation.

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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James Shand

Reviews from Australians who have installed Hydrotherm Heat Pumps

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15th October 2024
Paul
VIC - 3029
system
5.00

First impressions are very good, super efficient.

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