Updated October 2026
Allambie Heights backs onto bushland around Manly Dam, with quiet streets of family homes built mostly in the 1960s and 70s. It is a settled part of the Northern Beaches, and plenty of households here are weighing up what comes after the old electric tank. Beaches Hot Water is a free referral service. We connect you with licensed hot water plumbers who cover Allambie Heights, and we do not do the work ourselves.
Bush settings and heat pump placement
A heat pump is a popular replacement for an old electric storage tank, and the larger yards here often have room for one. A bush setting does raise a few practical points:
- Leaf litter. Heat pumps draw air across a coil, so keep the unit clear of gutters and trees that drop leaves onto it.
- Noise. Quiet streets carry sound. Place the unit away from bedroom windows, both yours and your neighbours'.
- Airflow. Do not box it in. A heat pump needs open air around it to run efficiently.
- Bushfire-prone land. Some blocks near the bushland edge may be mapped as bushfire prone. Ask the installer whether that affects where the unit can sit.
Heat pumps cost around $3,000 to $6,000 installed before incentives. Federal STCs and the NSW Energy Savings Scheme can cut thousands off, and the installer quotes you the net figure. They roughly last 10 to 15 years.
Sticking with storage
Not everyone wants a heat pump. A like-for-like electric storage swap runs from around $800 to $2,500 installed and is usually the quickest fix. Gas storage and continuous flow run around $1,200 to $3,500 installed where mains gas is connected. Gas availability varies street by street, and the plumber confirms it.
Storage tanks typically last 8 to 12 years. Within that range, repairs to elements, thermostats and valves roughly cost $150 to $600 depending on the part. A leaking tank is always a replacement. All prices here are a guide. The plumber's quote is the price that counts.
Same-day replacement is often possible for a standard tank with a request in the morning.
Frequently asked questions
How noisy is a heat pump?
Modern units are fairly quiet, often compared to a split system air conditioner. Placement matters more than the model, so keep it away from sleeping areas.
Can a heat pump run off my existing tank's power supply?
Often, but not always. A licensed electrician must handle any hard-wired electrical changes, and the installer will check the supply when quoting.
What if my old tank is under the house?
It can usually be swapped like for like in the same spot. A heat pump generally needs to move outside, where there is airflow.
Nearby, we also cover Beacon Hill and Manly Vale.