Apricus Heat Pumps Review

Apricus All-In-One APHP-R290-260 — Expert Rating: 7.9 / 10

Manufacturer Overview

Apricus is an Australian-based brand operated locally through Apricus Australia Pty Ltd, with heat pump units commonly listed as manufactured in China for the Australian market. Apricus has been operating in Australia since ~2005 and is well known for solar hot water / solar thermal products, alongside broader hot water solutions.

Apricus positions its heat pump offering as a mid-tier, feature-rich, value-focused option, designed to appeal to rebate-driven homeowners who want smart control, reliable savings, and a strong warranty — especially solar PV households using timers to run in daytime.

Market position: Mid-tier

Target buyer: Value-focused + rebate-aligned households wanting app control and solar-friendly scheduling

Model Range (Apricus)

Apricus currently offers one primary all-in-one heat pump model in common Australian retail review listings:

Model

Tank

Suitable household

Refrigerant

COP

Operating range

Noise

Controls

APHP-R290-260

260L

3–4 people (may be limiting for 5+)

R290 (~400g)

4.13–4.49

-7°C to 43°C

43 dB

WiFi + touchscreen

Key notes (model-specific):

Heating modes: Auto, Eco, Boost, Ele (element only)
Electric element: 1.8 kW boost/backup
Max hot water temp: up to 70°C (Boost/element)
Anode system: Sacrificial + electric anode (dual protection)
Smart grid ready: No

Important recall note (APHP-R290-260)

Apricus has published an Important Product Recall Notice for AIO heat pumps installed Dec 2024–Mar 2025. Regulators describe the recall as affecting APHP-R290-260 units manufactured Nov 2024 and sold/installed Dec 2024–Mar 2025.

What we’d do as a buyer: Confirm the serial number / batch with the installer or check the Product Safety Australia recall listing before purchase (especially if the unit was installed in that window).

Master Technical Evaluation Table (Energy Upgrade Quotes Framework)

Overall Expert Rating:

7.9 / 10

Tier: Mid-tier (feature-rich, warranty-strong, value-focused)

Rating

Weight

1. Efficiency & Performance

7.6/10

15%

2. Operational Climate Range

8.0/10

10%

3. Refrigerant & Environmental Profile

8.7/10

10%

4. Noise & Residential Suitability

8.0/10

10%

5. Pricing & Market Position (AU)

7.6/10

5%

6. Payback & Savings Reality

7.8/10

5%

7. Build Quality

8.2/10

10%

8. Warranty & Support

8.6/10

15%

9. Customer Satisfaction

8.1/10

10%

10. Features & Control System

8.7/10

10%

Detailed Expert Assessment by Category

1. Efficiency & Performance (15%)

8.6/10

Apricus publishes a COP range of 4.13–4.49 depending on test conditions/source. Heating output is listed around 2.6–2.75 kW, and it includes a 1.8 kW electric element for Boost/backup.

Expert view: COP is solid mid-tier. Recovery rate isn’t stated as W/L, but output figures suggest the system is designed for standard household demand rather than “fastest recovery” performance.

Score: 7.6 / 10

2) Operational Climate Range (10%)

8.2/10

Apricus is rated to operate from -7°C to 43°C, and is marketed for cold operation (below 0°C), with automatic defrost expected for sub-zero conditions.

Score: 8.0 / 10

3) Refrigerant & Environmental Profile (10%)

8.6/10

Apricus uses R290 (Propane) — a low-GWP refrigerant and a strong positive for environmental profile compared to older synthetic refrigerants.

Score: 8.7 / 10

4) Noise & Residential Suitability (10%)

8.6/10

Noise is listed as 43 dB(A) (distance not clearly stated in summaries). This sits in a generally acceptable residential zone, but placement still matters — especially near bedrooms.

Score: 8.0 / 10

5) Pricing & Market Position (Australia-wide) (5%)

8.6/10

Apricus is positioned as mid-tier, with typical pricing commonly quoted as:

Before rebates: mid-$3k to mid-$4k (installer/site dependent)
After rebates: often $2,000–$2,500 net (state/eligibility dependent)

Score: 7.6 / 10

6) Payback & Savings Reality (5%)

8.6/10

Payback is typically strong where rebates are strong and when the unit is timer-scheduled to daytime solar or off-peak tariffs.

Indicative annual electricity use: ~800–1,600 kWh/year
Typical savings claim vs resistance: 60–70%
Typical payback: ~2–4 years (rebates + correct scheduling are key)

Score: 7.8 / 10

7. Build Quality (10%)

8.6/10

Apricus uses:

Enamel / vitreous-lined carbon steel tank
Dual anode protection: sacrificial + electric anode
Compressor listed as GMCC / Toshiba

This dual anode setup is a strong mid-tier build signal because it improves corrosion protection and reduces reliance on sacrificial-only maintenance.

Score: 8.2 / 10

8) Warranty & Support (15%)

8.6/10

Apricus is listed with:

National support network (distributed installer/service support)

Important brand-specific condition: warranty may be affected if sacrificial anode isn’t checked/replaced when required (maintenance condition).

Score: 8.6 / 10

9) Customer Satisfaction (10%)

8.6/10

~4.6 / 5 average rating (ProductReview)
Review volume: commonly ~24+ across major platforms (varies)

Common positives:

Reliable hot water supply
Strong savings when timer-scheduled to daytime solar
App control and monitoring
“Set and forget” feel

Common complaints:

Noise noticeable if poorly placed
Only 260L tank size (not ideal for large households)
Some cold-morning performance expectation gaps

Score: 8.1 / 10

10) Features & Control System (10%)

8.6/10

Apricus stands out as feature-rich for mid-tier:

WiFi app control
Touchscreen/LCD interface
Multiple heating modes (Auto/Eco/Boost/Ele)
Timer scheduling
Boost mode
PV alignment via scheduling
Error diagnostics
Real-time power monitoring
Dual anode protection

Not confirmed / not marketed:

Score: 8.7 / 10

Pros (Apricus-specific)

Strong mid-tier warranty (6 yrs parts + labour)
R290 refrigerant
Dual anode protection (sacrificial + electric anode)
App + touchscreen + power monitoring
Strong fit for solar PV households using daytime timers

Cons (Apricus-specific)

Only one tank size (260L) limits suitability (small homes + big households)
Noise may be noticeable if installed near bedrooms/windows
Recall history exists for a defined batch/time window (brand risk factor)
Performance expectations in very cold mornings can vary by install and usage style

Who It’s Best For

3–4 person households
Solar PV homes wanting to run heating in daytime
Customers prioritising warranty strength + app control + R290
Buyers wanting a mid-tier “smart + solid” option without premium pricing

Large households 5+ adults or very high peak demand
Homes needing smaller tank options (only 260L available)
Noise-sensitive installs where the only location is next to bedrooms/windows
Buyers unwilling to maintain anode requirements over time

Expert Verdict

Apricus is a mid-tier, feature-rich all-in-one heat pump designed for rebate-driven Australian households that want smart controls, monitoring, R290 refrigerant, and strong warranty coverage. The biggest limiter is the single 260L model, which makes it a great fit for 3–4 person homes but less suitable for larger households or very small usage profiles. If the household size fits and placement is sensible, Apricus is a high-confidence mid-tier pick.

Final Rating: 7.9 / 10

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