DUX Heat Pump Independent Review

Note: Solar Choice is not associated with Dux Heat Pumps or any heat pump installer or manufacturer and has no financial or other incentives to promote any products brand over another. Wondering if heat pumps are worth it? Check out our Complete Buyers Guide to Heat Pumps.

Dux Ecosmart Heat Pump 200DHA20 Solar Choice Heat Pumps Score Card

Price: $$$ Mid-range. 

The Dux Ecosmart 200L heat pump is priced around $3,500 to $3,800, positioning it in the mid-range cost category.

Efficiency: Score: 3/5 

The heat pump has an advertised Coefficient of Performance (COP) of up to 4.1 at an ambient temperature of 20°C, heating water from 20°C to 60°C. We estimated that the heat pump has a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of around 3.9 to 4.1 at an ambient temperature of 20°C, heating water from 15°C to 60°C. Based on Solar Choice’s scoring system, a comparable COP of between 4 to 4.5 equates to 3 points. 

Warranty Offer: Score: 3/5 

The Dux Ecosmart Heat Pump 200DHA20 offers a 7-year warranty on the tank, 3 years on refrigeration components including labour, and 1 year on other components including parts and labour. This comprehensive coverage is designed to provide assurance about the product’s durability, resulting in a score of 3 points.

Customer Reviews: Score: 1/5

The Dux Ecosmart Heat Pump 200DHA20 has received predominantly negative reviews, with an average score of 1.3 out of 5 from 19 reviews. Key concerns include build quality, value for money, and maintenance issues. It should be noted that most of the reviews are from over 5 years ago. 

Functionality: Score: 2/5 

The Dux Ecosmart Heat Pump 200DHA20 includes several key features:

• LCD and WiFi App control: Via the Dux HP App – 1 point
• Heating Element: The element has what they call a “single-shot boost capability” – 1 point
• Quiet operation: Solar choice benchmark for quiet operations is under >45dB(a) and Dux does not specify these heat pumps operating range. This could be a concern for consumers who may need to install the unit close to living spaces. – 0 points
• Stainless steel tank option: The tank is made from commercial-grade enamelled steel which is durable, however they do not provide a stainless steel tank option – 0 points
• Eco-friendly refrigerant: Dux’s heat pumps use R134a refrigerants which have been banned in Victoria due to their high Global Warming Potential of 1,430.  – 0 points

Company Background

Dux Manufacturing Limited an Australian brand which dates back to 1915. Dux is owned by Noritz, a Japanese manufacturer of residential and commercial water heaters. Noritz is a publicly listed company and disclosed a profit of 3.8Bn Yen / AUD$35m last year.

Dux manufactures a broad range of hot water products including electric, gas, solar and heat pump hot water systems. 

The company has a manufacturing facility in the Southern Highlands of NSW and has an office space in Brisbane.

Product Range Overview

The Dux Ecosmart heat pump range includes two main models:

200L Models (200DHA20 and 200DHA20P): Suitable for households of up to 4 people.

285L Models (300DHA20 and 300DHA20P): Suitable for households of up to 6 people.

The Dux Ecosmart “Plus” models do not show significant differences in build quality or materials compared to the standard models. Both use the commercial grade enamel steel tank design, dual anodes, and thick foam insulation. The difference in the “Plus” models seems to refer to minor efficiency improvements rather than enhanced build quality as stated on their website. 

These efficiency enhancements seem to be a slightly lower energy use on the plus model (1.9 kW vs. 2.5 kW), reduced electric element wattage (1200 W vs. 1800 W), and lower maximum current requirements (10 A vs. 12 A). While these differences can lead to modest energy savings over time the benefits are relatively small. The “Plus” label and higher price ($200-$300 more) primarily serve as a marketing strategy, so it’s reasonable to question whether the additional cost is justified for these minimal enhancements.

Key Features

• Patented Dual Wall Heating Coil: Enhances heat transfer and overall efficiency.
• Smart Controls: The Dux HP App allows users to control and monitor the heat pump settings, including multiple pre-programmed operating modes.
• Interchangeable Major Components: Designed for a long service life with easily replaceable parts.
• Performance: The Dux Ecosmart Heat Pump 200DHA20 has an advertised Coefficient of Performance (COP) of up to 4.1, indicating good heating efficiency. Pricing and Availability

Dux Ecosmart Heat Pump Cost

The 200DHA20 heat pump costs between $3,500 and $3,800. The 300DHA20P model ranges from $3,700 to $4,000, with plus models (200DHA20P and 300DHA20P) adding an extra $200-$300. Prices can vary based on the model and place of purchase. These prices do not include installation or potential rebates.

Rebate Information: Buyers may qualify for rebates and incentives like STCs, the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, and the Victorian Solar Homes Program, which can significantly lower the upfront cost.

Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change and can vary by location. Always check for the latest prices and available rebates before making a purchase.

Dux Ecosmart Warranty Offer and Support

The Dux Ecosmart Heat Pump 200DHA20 comes with a 7-year warranty on the tank, 3 years on refrigeration components including labour, and 1 year on other components including parts and labour. For installations under the Solar Victoria’s Solar Homes Program, a 5-year ‘Whole of Product’ warranty applies.

Notes:

• Tank: Covers the main storage unit of the heat pump.
• Refrigeration Components: Includes parts like the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, heat exchanger, evaporator, and associated pipework.
• Other Components: Covers sensors, thermostats, valves, electric heating elements, and anodes.

Support Resources: Dux offers support through its Australian-based customer service team, help lines, and detailed user manuals. For support you can contact 1300 365 116.

Pros and Cons of the Dux Ecosmart Heat Pump

Pros:

• Efficient heat transfer with patented dual wall heating coil.
• Smart controls and multiple operating modes for customisation.
• Anti-corrosive coatings and interchangeable components for easy maintenance.

Cons:

• Noise level specifications not clearly defined.
• Poor customer reviews regarding build quality and maintenance issues.
• Environmentally unfriendly refrigerant (R134a) with global warming potential of 1,430

Verdict / Are Dux Ecosmart Heat Pumps Worth It?

Overall the main draw cards for Dux is the history and track record of the brand dating back over 100 years and they are one of the few hot water companies with an Australian manufacturing facility. Additionally, the availability of the Dux app to monitor and control the system is an advantage of many similar priced competitors.

For a mid-range priced product, we would hope to see more evidence of happy customers in public reviews. We also hope to see Dux use a different refrigerant in future models with a lower global warming potential. 

Technical Specifications Table for Dux Ecosmart Heat Pump

See the Dux Ecosmart product brochure and Users Manual for more details

Be sure to check our review of the best heat pumps in Australia compared or see the full list of heat pump reviews from solar choice.

For more information on whether a heat pump is right for you, refer to our Complete Buyers Guide to Heat Pumps.

• About
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James Shand

Marketing Manager at Solar Choice

James Shand has maintained a firm grasp on the renewable energy market's pulse for over half a decade. His journey has taken him from collaborating with some of Canada's largest solar distributors to his present position, where he is in close communication with manufacturers and installers throughout Australia, facilitated by one of the nation's leading solar comparison companies, Solar Choice. He is academically accomplished, holding multiple bachelor's degrees in business, science, and marketing.

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