Greening your home: Federal Solar Hot Water and Insulation Rebates

Solar hot water rebate:

The Solar Hot Water rebate is part of the Australian Government’s Energy Efficient Homes Package, under the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. It is a great incentive for households taking those first initial steps towards greening their home. Here, the government is providing financial assistance to replace existing electric storage hot water systems as they generate the largest amount of household emissions (as much as 23%).

The rebate will be eligible for systems installed on or after the 5 September 2009 until 30 June 2012 and will equate to a $1,600 cash back for installation of solar hot water system or $1,000 cash back on the installation of a heat pump hot water system. ).

In response to this all states (excluding Tasmania and the ACT) are providing state level reimbursement on top of the federal rebate for the installation of solar hot water systems within their states. With the use of all rebates, eligible recipients could save up to a total of $4,000 for the fitting of environmentally friendly gas-boosted solar water heaters for residential property. Both owners and renters are eligible to apply for the rebate.  The installation of heat pumps or solar hot water systems for new houses are not eligible for the rebate as in contrast to existing houses, new homes are generally more energy efficient in their design.

Eligibility and level of grant provisions does vary throughout Australia so be sure to contact your state government or visit their website for more details. For more information on solar hot water system rebates (both state and federal), be sure to check out the ‘Hot Water Rebate’ website:

www.hotwaterrebate.com.au

Insulation rebate:

The Home Insulation Program offers ceiling insulation worth up to $1,200 to owner-occupiers, landlords and tenants.
Eligible homes are those currently uninsulated, or have very little ceiling insulation and were built before the mandatory thermal performance requirements under the Building Code of Australia, introduced in 2003.
 
Eligibility also means that insulation must be installed by tradesman with a registered ABN and reimbursement can be claimed for up to $1,200 or up to $1,000 in respect to a rental property. This must be done within six months of the installation.
 
A pricing table is available from the Energy Efficient Homes Package website however there is no fixed price which installers can charge. However, when installers quote above the maximum recommended price per metre they must provide additional information on the quote outlining why the work was more expensive than usual.
 
Owner-occupier, landlord or tenants may apply for either the ceiling insulation assistanceor the Solar Hot Water rebate under the Home Insulation Program, but not both.
 
For more information, contact the Energy Efficient Homes Package Call Centre: 1800 808 571.

Source: www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency

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