Note: Solar Choice is not associated with Apricus or any heat pump brand and has no financial or other incentives to promote any product brand over another.
At a Glance: Apricus Solar Choice Heat Pumps Score Card
$$$ Price: The Apricus APHP-R290-260 heat pump can be bought online between $3,000 and $3,600 thus putting them in the mid-range price category.
- Coefficient of Performance (COP): Apricus disclose a COP of 4.13, 4.49 and 6.74 at 22°C ambient temperature. It is difficult to compare COP for Apricus as their scores of 4.13 and 4.49 do not explain what testing conditions were used. For comparison purposes solar choice estimates COP ranges with a 20°C ambient water temp (which is where most consumers set their tank temperature), inlet water at 15°C and target temperature output of 60°C. Thus we have scored this unit with just 2 points for their estimate COP rating of 3.5 to 4.
- Warranty Offer: Apricus offer a broad parts warranty for 6 years, but this is only accompanied with a 1-year labour warranty. A 1 year labour warranty is shorter than options on the market so we have given a score of just 2 points in this category.
- Customer Reviews: Apricus have 162 public reviews for their heat pump with an average score of 3.2. Reflecting good but not great reviews on average online. This scores 2 points in the reviews category.
- Functionality: Apricus only misses the stainless steel tank in terms of the functionality we’re looking for scoring 4 out of 5 points with robust functionality overall.
Uncover essential details in the comprehensive guide below and find out what you need to know before you buy.
Apricus Company Background
Apricus is an Australian company established in 2005. They were a pioneer in the solar hot water market specialising in evacuated tube technology which have been installed in hundreds of thousands of homes across Australia.
The solar components of the evacuated tube technology is manufactured in their Australian production facility. In recent years Apricus have expanded their range into hot water heat pump systems. They sell an Apricus branded all-in-one solution through a third party manufacturing agreement.
Apricus is also a related company to Reclaim Energy who are well known in Australia for building top quality heat pump split systems. Apricus’ all-in-one heat pump solution is designed to cater to the middle of the market.
Apricus’ headquarters are located in Byron Bay, NSW and they have a local team to assist with technical support and warranty claims.
Apricus Heat Pump Models
Apricus currently have a one sized fits all solution for the market. We expect over time they may release additional options for customers looking for larger or smaller tanks.
Apricus APHP-R290-260 All-In-One Heat Pump
The Apricus APHP-R290-260 is called an all-in-one system as the heat pump is built in above the water tank. The alternate option is to have the heat pump as a separate device in a split system. Read more about the different types of systems in our heat pump buyers guide.
The heat pump can be managed through a built-in smart touch screen or through a free mobile application. The option for remote monitoring and controlling via the app is handy functionality and a point of difference from many of the heat pumps available in Australia.
The solution comes with a variety of operating modes which can cater to the preferences of the homeowner. The boost setting allows for an inbuilt traditional heating element to be used as back up to accellerate the heating process. You can also program the heater on a timer to run at low cost times such as off-peak or when solar power is being generated if you have solar panels installed.
The Apricus heat pump is 1.8m tall with a diameter of 62cm and weighs 118 kilograms which is typical of the all-in-one heat pump solutions. Installers will need to consider how to wheel the heat pump into position which in some cases can require special lifting equipment.
The heat pump system comes with a 260 litre tank which they estimate can cover a home with up to 6 people. Our general rule of thumb is that a person will use 50 litres of hot water per day and you should size your tank for 1.5 days to be safe – so these claims might be a bit ambitious. We would suggest their 260L solution could cater to homes of up to 3-4 people.
How Much Does An Apricus Heat Pump Cost?
Apricus’ heat pumps are competitively priced at around $3,200 to $4,000 for their 260 litre all-in-one solution. This price excludes freight, installation and any applicable rebates. In NSW and Victoria this usually means the end customer price would be cheaper than these figures.
Compare quotes from pre-vetted heat pump installers
Apricus’ Warranty Offer for Australian Customers
Apricus state they have a 6 year warranty on their heat pump solution. This 6 years covers replacement of parts only and they separately cover the labour involved with the replacement during the first year.
Contrary to many other brands Apricus do not break down the warranty length for all the different parts of the heat pump solution and it is written as a whole of system 6 year replacement warranty. This keeps things simple for owners, although it should be noted that after the 1st year there will be some costs for the labour and freight associated with repairing the heater.
One notable point of the warranty is that the internal anode should be checked at least every 3 years. The water tank has an inbuilt anode which is designed to dissolve over time to extend the life of the tank and should be replaced periodically. This period to dissolve depends on the water quality so Apricus mandate that it is checked every 3 years to maintain their warranty offer.
Apricus do have a local office based in Byron Bay, NSW to support customers with technical issues and a clear process on their website for launching a claim. They can be contacted on 1300 277 428.
Apricus’ full warranty terms and conditions can be found at the end of their installation manual or click here.
Pros and Cons of Apricus Heat Pumps
Pros
- One of the few options on the market with the ability to monitor and control system with an App
- Well-backed Australian company with proven track record in a variety of different hot water solutions
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- Only 1-year coverage for any labour costs associated with replacements under warranty
- Only 1-size fits all. System could be too small for households with 5 or more people.
So is the Apricus Heat Pump worth it?
Apricus have had a strong presence in Australia and their solar hot water products have been well tested in the market. Although the heat pumps are a more recent addition to their arsenal, they have a good knowledge of what it takes to build a good quality heat pump through related company Reclaim Energy.
The technical specifications and warranty offer stack up towards the middle of the market, so makes sense for a customer looking for a good quality system without paying top dollar for the best. We would recommend this system for households of 3 to 5 people. Any more or less than that, you might be better off looking for a system with a different tank size.
Compare quotes from pre-vetted heat pump installers
Read more of Solar Choice’s heat pump reviews here.
- 10 Cheapest Electricity Providers in Brisbane - 24 June, 2024
- Best Solar Inverters in Australia 2024 - 20 June, 2024
- Solar Edge Inverters – Independent Review - 20 June, 2024
