0480 005 425
Some projects are just installations. This one was a little different.
Earlier this year, three Geelong organisations came together to upgrade the hot water system at Samaritan House, a local crisis shelter supporting men experiencing homelessness. No government grant. No fanfare. Just local businesses and community groups deciding to do something good.
Geelong Sustainability coordinated the project through its community energy program. Reclaim Energy donated three premium 400-litre CO₂ heat pump units. And our team at Too Hot To Handle rolled up and completed the full installation, free of charge.
The result? Three heat pump hot water systems humming away quietly, residents with reliable hot water every morning, and a charity that’s spending less on gas bills and more on the people who need it most.
About Samaritan House Geelong
Samaritan House provides crisis accommodation and support services for men experiencing homelessness throughout the Geelong region, supporting around 20 residents at a time. Many arrive with very little — often straight from sleeping rough or living out of their car.
For a facility like this, hot water isn’t a luxury. It’s one of the first things that helps someone feel human again after a really hard stretch.
“These guys are often coming from very tough situations, living in cars, so having reliable hot water is a basic comfort that makes a big difference.”
Simon White, Samaritan House
The Challenge: Ageing Gas Systems and Rising Running Costs
Like a lot of older community buildings, Samaritan House had been running on ageing gas hot water systems for years. They were costing money to run, costing money to maintain, and moving further away from where the organisation wanted to be.
The goal wasn’t just to fix a hot water problem. Samaritan House had a bigger picture in mind, getting off gas entirely and moving toward a fully electric site.
“One of the drivers for the change was to remove gas from the site, we’re working toward being fully electric.”
Simon White, Samaritan House
As a charity funded entirely by the local community, every dollar matters. Cutting energy costs doesn’t just improve the bottom line, it means more resources going directly to residents.
“As a charity, that’s really important for us. We’re fully funded by the Geelong community, so reducing operating costs makes a big difference.”
Simon White, Samaritan House
The Solution: CO₂ Heat Pump Hot Water Systems
The gas systems were replaced with three 400-litre Reclaim CO₂ heat pump hot water systems, a technology that extracts heat from the surrounding air to heat water, using a fraction of the energy of a conventional gas or electric storage system.
They’re quiet, efficient, and built for exactly the kind of high-demand environment Samaritan House runs — where 20 people might all want a hot shower within a couple of hours of each other.
Why CO₂ heat pump technology?
For a site like Samaritan House, the Reclaim CO₂ units ticked every box:
- Far lower running costs than gas
- Consistent hot water delivery even during peak morning and evening demand
- No gas combustion — reduced emissions and one step closer to fully electric
- Long service life with minimal maintenance
- Designed for Australian conditions, including cooler climates like Geelong
In and Out Without a Hitch
One thing that mattered a lot to the Samaritan House team was keeping disruption to an absolute minimum. The shelter doesn’t close. Residents are there around the clock. The last thing anyone needed was days without hot water while a job dragged on.
Our crew got in, got it done, and got out, and the residents barely noticed anything had changed, except that the hot water was better.
“It was seamless. One day we had gas, the next day we had the heat pump system and still had hot water.”
Simon White, Samaritan House
“Communication was clear from start to finish, and your team on-site was great to deal with.”
Simon White, Samaritan House
How It’s Going Now
The three heat pump units have been running smoothly across the property ever since. Gas usage is down significantly, running costs have dropped, and the site is in a much better position on its journey toward full electrification.
Most importantly, nobody’s run out of hot water.
“Peak usage is usually mornings and evenings, when people are heading to and from work, and it’s handled that fine. We’ve got three units across the property and we haven’t run short of hot water.”
Simon White, Samaritan House
For a community-funded organisation, those savings aren’t just a line on a spreadsheet. They flow directly back into the support services Samaritan House exists to provide.
What the Project Partners Said
This was a team effort, and it meant something to everyone involved.
“For us, this wasn’t just another install. Knowing these systems are helping vulnerable people every day makes the project really rewarding.”
“When local businesses and community groups work together, electrification can make a real difference, especially for organisations running on tight community-funded budgets.”
Matthew Sheen — Director, Too Hot To Handle Heating & Cooling
“This project shows how sustainability and community support can work together. We’re proud to be involved in projects that help vulnerable people while delivering high-quality systems.”
“Heat pump technology can significantly reduce energy costs, but projects like this show it can also create a real social impact.”
Chris Taylor — Director, Reclaim Energy
“The best part of this project is knowing the savings made here can now go back into supporting residents instead of paying large gas bills.”
“It’s good knowing the upgrade will keep helping the organisation long after the install is finished.”
Russell Mathews — Project Manager, Too Hot To Handle Heating & Cooling
Why Projects Like This Matter
There’s a lot of talk about electrification and sustainability, the numbers, the rebates, the emissions targets. All of that matters. But what this project showed is that the technology can do something else too: it can land directly in the hands of people who really need it.
Through Geelong Sustainability’s community energy program, the savings made by households and businesses who switch to efficient electric systems help fund opportunities like this one, where organisations on tight budgets get access to technology they couldn’t otherwise afford.
A hot water upgrade at a homeless shelter might not make headlines. But for the 20 men who walk through the doors of Samaritan House looking for a safe place to land, it makes a real difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a heat pump hot water system cost in Geelong?
In Geelong and greater Victoria, most homes pay between $3,000 and $5,500 all up for supply and installation of a quality heat pump hot water system, before rebates. After applying available Victorian government rebates (including the Solar Homes Program rebate of up to $1,000 or up to $1,400 for locally made products, plus Victorian Energy Upgrades discounts), the real out-of-pocket cost for many households comes in considerably lower. The exact price depends on the size of the system, any electrical or plumbing work required, and the brand you choose. The team at Too Hot To Handle will give you a straight, no-obligation quote that includes any rebates you’re eligible for — so you know exactly what you’ll pay.
How much energy does a heat pump hot water system save compared to gas?
Quite a bit. A heat pump hot water system typically uses 60–70% less energy than a conventional gas hot water system, because instead of burning gas to heat water, it simply moves heat from the air. According to Solar Victoria, households switching from gas to a quality heat pump can save around $400 a year on energy bills. In Victoria, gas prices have continued to climb while electricity costs have eased slightly, meaning the gap keeps widening in favour of heat pumps. At current energy prices, most households see the system pay for itself within 4 to 6 years — and then it keeps saving for another 10 to 15 years after that.
Do heat pump hot water systems work well in Geelong’s climate?
Yes, modern CO₂ heat pump systems are specifically designed for cooler Australian climates like Geelong’s. Unlike older heat pump technology that struggled in the cold, today’s CO₂ units extract heat from the air efficiently even on chilly mornings. The Reclaim CO₂ systems installed at Samaritan House are a good example; they’ve been handling peak morning and evening demand across a 20-person facility without issue, all through a Geelong winter.
Are there government rebates available for heat pump hot water systems in Victoria?
Yes, and they’re worth claiming. Victorian homeowners can currently access a Solar Homes Program rebate of up to $1,000 (or up to $1,400 for eligible locally made products like Reclaim) https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/hot-water-rebate, plus additional Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) discounts applied at the point of sale. There are also federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) that reduce the upfront price further, your installer handles the paperwork. Eligibility conditions apply, including income thresholds and property requirements. Get in touch and we’ll walk you through exactly what you qualify for.
Thinking About a Heat Pump Hot Water System for Your Home or Organisation?
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to cut energy bills, a landlord wanting to upgrade an old system, or a community organisation exploring your options, a hot water heat pump is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make right now.
If you’re also thinking about going fully electric, we can help with that too. Check out our one-stop electrification service or visit our Geelong service area page to learn more about what we do locally.
Get in touch with the team at Too Hot To Handle for a free, no-obligation quote. We’re local, we know Geelong, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
