The invention provides a phase-change thermal energy-storage material applicable to a heat-pump water heater. The phase-change thermal energy-storage material comprises, by weight, 20 to 30 of stearic acid, 30 to 40 of palmitic acid, 10 to 20 of lauric acid, 20 to 30 of paraffin, 3 to 5 of a carbon nanofiber, expandable graphite and NaCl, wherein the additive amount of the expandable graphite accounts for 12 to 20% of the weight of the paraffin, and the additive amount of NaCl accounts for 3 to 8% of the total weight of the stearic acid, the palmitic acid, the lauric acid and the paraffin. The invention further discloses a preparation method for the phase-change thermal energy-storage material. Compared with the prior art, the prepared phase-change thermal energy-storage material provided by the invention has the advantages of a great potential heat value of phase change, an appropriate phase-change temperature, great thermal energy-storage density, a small volume expansion ratio, stable performance, no toxicity, no pollution, no corrosion to metals, easily available raw materials, easy preparation, etc.