Heat pump hot water is one of the more rewarding certificate categories because the installed base is replacing electric resistance and gas systems at pace, and the STC discount makes the quote competitive. It is also one of the more paperwork-heavy ones, so a repeatable process matters.
What qualifies
The unit must be an air-sourced heat pump water heater that is listed for STC creation, and the installation must be a new installation or a replacement under the rules. The installation type affects how many certificates you can claim, so get it right. Our installation type guide explains the three types.
The certificate count
The STC count comes from the model’s registered entitlement and the climate zone at the install address. It is generally a number in the tens rather than the hundreds. At the time of writing the STC market has been roughly $38 to $40. See how many STCs a heat pump earns.
The claim, in order
- Confirm the model is eligible before quoting.
- Get the owner’s signed assignment form.
- Install, and photograph the unit, the data plate, the serial number, the install location and the removed system where relevant.
- Create the claim in the registry with the evidence.
- Sell the registered STCs to a trader.
Our heat pump and hot water checklist has the evidence list. The step-by-step flow is in how to claim STCs on a heat pump.
Where claims go wrong
- Serial numbers that do not match the registered model.
- Photos that do not show the data plate or install location.
- The wrong installation type chosen.
- Missing or mismatched owner details on the assignment form.
From the desk: photograph the old unit before it leaves site. A claim for a replacement with no evidence of the old system is one of the easiest to knock back.
What this means for installers
Treat heat pump jobs as a process with a checklist, not as an add-on. A trader that pre-checks claims saves you resubmission time, and a fast settlement keeps your cash moving. See the hot water STCs pillar, how it works and pricing for current rates.