Description
The Sanden Eco Plus 300 L (model GAUS-300FQTD) is a Japanese-made split-system heat pump hot water system with a published COP of 5+. Under standard test conditions it draws 0.84kW of electricity to deliver 4.99kW of heat, more than five times the output of a conventional electric element. The unit is listed at $6,760 before the Victorian Energy Upgrades rebate; installation is quoted separately.
Why the Sanden Eco Plus uses a fraction of the electricity
A conventional electric hot water system converts electricity to heat at a one-to-one ratio: 1kW in, 1kW of heat out. The Sanden Eco Plus works differently, it extracts heat from the surrounding air and transfers it to the water rather than generating heat from scratch. That is why 0.84kW of electricity produces 4.99kW of usable heat. Sanden says owners can save up to 80% on hot water energy costs compared to a standard electric storage system. If you are replacing gas rather than electric, the saving works out differently. Our heat pump vs gas hot water comparison runs the numbers on Melbourne tariffs.
The unit uses R744 (CO₂) refrigerant, which is ozone-friendly and carries the lowest possible global warming potential rating. It operates from −10°C to +43°C, so it keeps heating through Melbourne winters without a backup element. Sanden lists the noise at 37dB, measured 1 m from the heat pump unit.
Build quality and warranty
The heat pump unit is manufactured in Japan. The storage tank is made from 316 marine-grade stainless steel, fully insulated, mains-pressure rated, and supplied with a safety pressure and temperature relief valve. Sanden’s warranty on the heat pump unit is 10 years, parts and labour, when this FQTD system is sold with the Sanden Wi-Fi controller (Sanden gives FQTS systems 6 years). The Sanden Wi-Fi controller is an optional extra at $250, on top of the installed price. The stainless steel tank is covered for 15 years in total: 10 years full replacement, then 5 years pro rata.
Installation requires only a licensed plumber and electrician, no refrigeration mechanic is needed. The unit runs on a standard 240V/50Hz single-phase supply on a 15-amp circuit.
What the $6,760 unit price includes
The price covers supply of the Sanden Eco Plus unit only. Installation is quoted separately: a site assessment is part of the quoting process and confirms the best placement for the outdoor heat pump unit and indoor tank.
The price is GST-inclusive. Your installation quote accounts for non-standard situations, elevated platforms, extended pipework runs, or complex site configurations, after the $50 site visit.
Installed price. A straight swap, where the new system goes in the same spot as the old one, is about $7,500 installed including GST, or about $6,500 after the VEU and STC rebates. More complex installs are priced differently, and we quote them after the site visit. These figures do not include the Solar Victoria rebate, because not every household qualifies for it. Our heat pump hot water installation page compares the Sanden with the iStore and sets out how the rebates stack.
The VEU rebate
As a VEU Accredited Provider (A003039), Helcro Electrical applies the Victorian Energy Upgrades rebate as an upfront discount on your invoice. You pay the reduced amount on the day, no claiming back, no waiting for a refund. The rebate value varies with current VEEC market prices. Call 1300 201 358 or contact us for the current figure before your installation date.
Solar pairing
The Sanden Eco Plus includes an automatic heating cycle built for solar PV integration. Set the unit to run during daylight generation hours and hot water costs drop to near zero on clear days. The included blockout timer lets you avoid peak tariff periods entirely.
For details on pairing a heat pump with a rooftop solar system, see our solar panel installation page.
For a full explanation of the VEU rebate and how the upfront discount works, see the Victorian Energy Upgrades program page.
Get a quote
Helcro Electrical installs the Sanden Eco Plus across Cheltenham, Brighton, Sandringham, Mentone, Highett, and the broader Melbourne South East. Call 1300 201 358 or contact us online for a no-obligation quote. We confirm VEU eligibility, apply the rebate on your invoice, and provide a written quote before the job starts.
