At a Glance: Stiebel Eltron Heat Pump Score – 2.5 out of 5
Here’s a breakdown of how the Stiebel Eltron SHP-O Plus performs using Solar Choice’s independent Heat Pump Scorecard, applied consistently across brands available in Australia.
Price – $$$ Mid-range: Typical pricing falls between $3,300 and $4,100 (excluding installation and rebates), placing it in the mid-range category. It’s competitively priced for a European-made system with smart controls and solar integration.
- Company Backing – 5/5: Stiebel Eltron is a globally recognised German manufacturer with over 100 years of history and has operated directly in Australia since 2012. The company has showrooms and support offices in five major cities and offers a diversified product range, which adds to its long-term credibility.
- Warranty Offer – 2/5: The SHP-O Plus offers 5 years on the cylinder and condenser, but just 2 years on other components and only 1 year on the T&P relief valve—among the shortest in the market.
- Customer Reviews – 0/5: There are currently no verified customer reviews for this product on Solar Choice, so buyers must rely on product documentation and brand reputation.
- Functionality – 3/5: The system includes an LCD, WiFi app control, and supports multiple heating schedules. It’s PV-ready and operates quietly (40.7 dBA but tested at 3m), though its heating output (≈9.6 W/L for 200L, ≈6.2 W/L for 300L) falls below many competitors, meaning slower hot water recovery.
Overall Score: 2.5 out of 5
Stiebel Eltron Company Background
Stiebel Eltron is a globally recognised German manufacturer with over 100 years of experience in hot water and climate control systems. Since entering the Australian market in 1995, the company has built a strong local presence, with offices and showrooms in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. In 2012, the German parent company took full ownership of its Australian operations, ensuring consistent product quality and direct support. Stiebel Eltron’s heat pumps are manufactured in Europe—specifically Slovakia—and distributed globally, including into markets with stricter testing and performance standards. With annual turnover exceeding €1 billion in 2022, Stiebel Eltron is one of the most financially stable and established companies in the heat pump industry. For homeowners, this means long-term confidence in warranty support, access to spare parts, and assurance that the product is backed by a company that’s here to stay.
Stiebel Eltron Heat Pump Models
The SHP-O Plus is available in two storage capacities:
- SHP-O 200 Plus – 200 litres
- SHP-O 300 Plus – 300 litres
Both models use environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant, operate down to -6°C, and are designed for high efficiency and quiet operation though the testing conditions are done at 3m rather than the more standard 1m which will drastically influence the noise level.
Key Specifications:
| Feature | 200L Model | 300L Model |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Tank Temp | 65°C | 65°C |
| Heating Power (W/L) | ~9.6 W/L | ~6.2 W/L |
| Noise Rating | 40.7 dBA @ 3m | 40.7 dBA @ 3m |
| Refrigerant Type | R290 | R290 |
| PV Compatible (SG Ready) | Yes | Yes |
| Display and App Control | LCD + MyStiebel App | LCD + MyStiebel App |
Both units include a signal anode, hygiene program, multiple timer schedules, and WiFi connectivity
How Much Does the Stiebel Eltron Heat Pump Cost?
The SHP-O Plus series typically retails between $3,300 to $4,100 (unit only), with final costs depending on installation complexity and system size.
Note that Stiebel Eltron may charge for any additional transport costs if the unit is installed more than 30 kilometres from its closest authorised service technician.
Warranty Offer for Australian Customers
Stiebel Eltron offers a comprehensive parts and labour warranty on its SHP-O Plus heat pump models for Australian residential use. Here’s how it breaks down:
- 5 years coverage on the cylinder and condenser
- 2 years on the sealed refrigeration system, including the compressor, evaporator, valves, and all associated pipework
- 2 years on all other electrical components
- 1 year on the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve
All warranties include labour costs for any covered repair
For the Operation, Installation & Warranty details see more here
Pros and Cons of the Stiebel Eltron SHP-O Plus
Pros:
- Backed by a trusted global manufacturer
With over 100 years of experience and a €1 billion+ annual turnover, Stiebel Eltron is one of the most established and financially stable brands in the heat pump industry. - Strong Australian presence
Offices and showrooms in five major cities (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide) ensure accessible support, parts availability, and direct engagement with the manufacturer. - European-made with global compliance
Manufactured in Slovakia and distributed to stringent European markets, ensuring the product meets high standards for performance and safety. - Smart control features
Includes both a physical LCD interface and the MyStiebel WiFi app, allowing homeowners to monitor and schedule the system remotely. - PV-ready (SG Ready)
Can integrate with solar PV and smart grid systems to optimise energy use and reduce running costs. - Low-noise operation (at reported 3m distance)
Quiet system design, although noise levels at 1m (standard test distance) may be higher than stated.
Cons:
- Short warranty on key components – Only 2 years on electrical parts and 1 year on the T&P relief valve, below many competitors.
- Higher long-term maintenance costs
Homeowners must budget for yearly servicing to retain warranty protection, which adds to total cost of ownership. - Lower-than-average heating power
Heating performance is modest at 9.6 W/L for the 200L model and just 6.2 W/L for the 300L, meaning longer wait times for hot water in high-demand households compared to some competitors. - Noise rating based on 3m distance
The stated 40.7 dBA noise level is measured at 3 metres—not the more common 1 metre standard—so real-world sound levels may be higher than expected when installed close to living spaces but this is likely still lower than the solarchoice benchmark of 45d - No verified customer reviews available yet
Without independent user feedback, prospective buyers must rely on technical data and brand reputation alone.
Is the Stiebel Eltron SHP-O Plus Worth It?
If you’re looking for a heat pump hot water system with smart features, low noise, and support from a well-established brand, the Stiebel Eltron SHP-O Plus is a strong contender. It’s built in Europe, backed by a company with over 100 years of experience, and supported locally across major Australian cities.
For many homeowners, it ticks the right boxes: it’s solar-compatible (SG Ready), has WiFi app control, and operates quietly. However, it’s important to understand the trade-offs.
TWhile the unit includes a 5-year warranty on the cylinder and condenser, coverage for other components is limited to just 2 years, and the T&P relief valve to 1 year. Also, its heating performance is on the lower side, meaning it may take longer to reheat hot water after heavy use, particularly for larger households.
Reviews from Australians who have installed Stiebel Eltron Heat Pumps
Review left 4 years after system installed
Despite being a mid priced german brand, the unit we bought is not great quality. Really our Midea el cheapo chinese heat pump has been more reliable, and has a better build quality! After being installed for 4 years it looks terrible, the paint is fading, and the visible foam insulation looks filthy. It's failed multiple times on us, from a known manufacturing fault with the electronic anode to it just not running at times for no reason whatsoever. This unit we have has no display so you cannot control any settings on it, nor can you determine which fault codes it is currently spitting the dummy over. That would be fine if the damned thing just worked, but it sometimes does not, and you have no idea why. It's not quiet either, well it was when it was first installed, but the noise had increased over time, and now you can hear the droning of the compressor inside the house through the wall... Oh damn it, it's only 4 years old, and does work sometimes, but I'm here looking for a replacement, just going to eat the cost and get something that is a bit higher grade... I thought I had done that with this unit, but I'm kicking my self I should have just installed another couple of those Midea el cheapo chinese units, at least then I would not be so bitter when they failed.
