Solar and Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate

Solar and Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate Scheme

  1. About the Rebate Scheme
  2. Who qualifies for a rebate?
  3. How do I choose a system?
  4. Do I require any Council Permits?
  5. Duration of the scheme
  6. How do I receive the Rebate?
  7. The Application Process
  8. Terms and Conditions
  9. Do I qualify for other incentives to install a Solar/Heat Pump Hot Water System?
  10. How can I further improve the energy efficiency of my solar/heat pump hot water system?

About the Rebate Scheme

Hobart City Council has introduced a new Solar and Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate Scheme, offering Hobart ratepayers a $500 incentive to install a solar or heat pump hot water system into their homes.

Water heating accounts for about 30 percent of an average household's total energy use.  Installing a solar or heat pump water heater can greatly reduce a household’s energy bills, as it directly uses ‘free’ and renewable energy from the sun to heat water.  A solar or heat pump water heater can provide between 50 percent and 90 percent of a household’s hot water requirements, depending on climatic conditions and the model of heater.

Who qualifies for a rebate?

The rebate provides a one-off payment of $500 per solar and heat pump hot water system for Hobart ratepayers who are ineligible for Council’s current planning and building administration fee rebate.

Please note that to be eligible to qualify for the rebate you must:

  1. have purchased and installed the solar hot water system between 1st July 2007 and 31st December 2011 or for the heat pump hot water system between 1st November 2008 and no later than the 31 December 2011;
  2. replace an existing electric storage hot water system and be eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (REC's) at the time and place of installation (see How do I choose a system? below); 
  3. be an owner-occupier of the property; and
  4. install the system on the property which is located within the City of Hobart.

No rebate will be offered for systems that have been purchased outside of these periods described above.

Council will require adequate proof of purchase and installation. Acceptable documentation and terms and conditions of the scheme are specified on the application form. You may also collected an application form in person from the Council Centre at 16 Elizabeth St, Hobart.

The Solar Hot Water System must be installed by a currently registered plumber.

How do I choose a system?

The rebate scheme imposes no restrictions on the brand, size or cost of the unit that someone chooses to buy other than it must be eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (REC's) at the time and place of the installation.

A list of eligible systems is available in the Register of Solar Water Heaters on the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator website: www.orer.gov.au/swh/register.html.

To help you determine whether or not your new system is eligible for REC's contact the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator via e-mail at orer@orer.gov.au or telephone on 02 6274 2192.

Choose the most efficient hot water service and the best energy source to meet your needs. Solar and electric heat pump systems produce far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional electric storage systems. Gas boosted solar is the most greenhouse efficient form of water heating.

Council’s advice is that anyone interested should talk to a registered plumber or local solar/heat pump hot water distributor.

Do I require any Council Permits?

All solar and heat pump hot water systems will require plumbing permits and you are advised to contact a registered plumber for further advice.

A building permit may be required for some installations and you are advised to contact a registered building surveyor for further advice.

A planning permit may be required if your property is identified as being either located within a Heritage Area or listed under the Heritage Schedule of the City of Hobart Planning Scheme 1982,  and for all properties located within the Battery Point and Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme Areas.  In all cases, property owners should contact Council on 6238 2715 and ask to speak to a Council Planning Officer to discuss whether or not a Planning Permit will be required.

Please note that Council's permit fees associated with installations that involve no additional development other than that required to install the system will be waived. (This does not extend to the charge to Council for the notification of applications in 'The Mercury' or the fees payable to Heritage Tasmania for applications required under the Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995.)

Duration of the scheme

The Rebate Scheme began on 1 July 2007 for solar hot water systems, 1st November 2008 for heat pump hot water systems and will continued until 31 December 2011.

How do I receive the Rebate?

Subject to approval, the rebate will then be deducted from subsequent rates instalment notice(s).

The Application Process

  1. Consult a registered plumber for advice concerning your needs, and Council if you're unsure of any requirements or conditions (see ‘Terms and Conditions’).
  2. Purchase & install the product (don't forget that your plumber must sign the application form to be eligible for the rebate) keeping receipts and manufacturer's certificate for Solar or Heat Pump Hot Water System and make and model information.
  3. Complete application form, attach invoice's, receipt's, product information.
    •  Solar and Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate Application Form
    • Submit documentation to Council either in person at the Council Centre or by it sending to:
    • Solar and Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate Scheme
    • Customer Service Officer, Julie Haygarth
    • Hobart City Council
    • GPO BOX 503 Hobart 7001
  5. Don't forget to include your receipt that shows make & model numbers, and any other documentation required (see terms & conditions).
  6.  Await Council notification of application success (usually about 2 weeks).

For further enquiries contact Council’s Assistant Compliance & Permits Officer, Janine Atkins on 62382 857.

Terms and Conditions

  1. The new solar or heat pump hot water system replace an existing electric storage hot water system and be eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s) at the time and place of installation.
  2. The Rebate Scheme began on 1 July, 2007 and will be continued until 31 December, 2011. Please note that you are only eligible for a rebate for a solar water heater purchased and installed on the property within this period or for a heat pump system purchased and installed from 1 November, 2008.
  3. All properties for which owners are seeking rebates must be located within the City of Hobart.
  4. Any rebate granted will be deducted from the total owing on the property owner's rates notice after the application has been assessed.
  5. In order to claim a residential rebate, a resident must be the owner-occupier of the property where the appliance was installed/works performed, provide receipt for purchase of appliance/s and receipt for any installation works, and supply correct and complete information on the application form.
  6. The solar or heat pump hot water system must be installed by a plumber with current registration and any design work should be done by an experienced designer. An accredited plumber may be able to provide additional advice.
  7. All solar and heat pump hot water systems will require plumbing permits with the associated plumbing completion certificate and you are advised to contact a registered plumber for further advice.
  8. All receipts presented as proof of purchase of appliances must be official cash register receipts and include information on the place and date of purchase.  Documentation identifying the make and model must also be provided.
  9. Elements of the rebate program are subject to change without notice.
  10. Council accepts no liability for any losses or damages resulting from the installation or use of solar hot water systems for which the property owner has received rebates.
  11. The applicant agrees to indemnify Council with respect to any dissatisfaction or damage arising from the use of purchased appliances for which a Solar or Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate is being sought.

ADVICE

  1. A Building Permit may be required for some installations and you are advised to contact a registered building surveyor for further advice.
  2. A Planning permit may be required if your property is identified as being either located within a Heritage Area or listed under the Heritage Schedule of the City of Hobart Planning Scheme 1982,  and for all properties located within the Battery Point and Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme Areas.   Property owners should contact Council on 6238 2715 and ask to speak to a Council Planning Officer to discuss whether or not a Planning Permit will be required.   For properties located within the  Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme Area contact the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority on (03) 6216 4288.
  3. If your property is Heritage listed or located in a ‘Heritage Area’ under the City of Hobart Planning Scheme 1982, please contact Council’s Cultural Heritage Officer on (02) 6238 2883 to discuss locating the system appropriately.
  4. Noise emisions should be taken into account.   The installation of the unit should be considered carefully.
  5. Potential noise nuisances should be considered before installing the system close to neighbouring properties.

 

Do I qualify for other incentives to install a Solar/Heat Pump Hot Water System?

Federal Government Rebates and Incentives

The Australian Government closed its 'Solar Homes and Communities Plan' that provided rebates of up to $8000 for solar panels on 9th June 2009 due to 'unprecedented growth'.  Emphasis is now being given to the eligibility of renewable energy installations to be supported under its Solar Credits Program, once legislation for a Renewable Energy Target is passed.

The Australian Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate provides eligible households with a rebate of $1,600 for installation of an eligible solar hot water system or $1,000 for installation of an eligible heat pump hot water system.  This is offered as an alternative to assistance received through the Home (or Homeowner) Insulation Program.

Other rebates and incentives offered by the Australian Government include:

  • Insulation rebates, through the Home Insulation Program
  • Rainwater/greywater system rebates, through the National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative
  • Low interest home loans, through the Green Loans Program

For more information about how to qualify and apply for Federal Government rebates, visit http://www.environment.gov.au/rebates/index.html

Renewable Energy Certificates

The installation of a solar water heater may be eligible for the creation of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, if it displaces electricity to heat water and results in a positive greenhouse gas benefit.

Once created RECs can be traded, purchased or sold, thereby making a solar water heater installation cheaper for the owner. Householders may assign their right to create certificates to an Agent in return for some benefit, such as a rebate or price reduction. In this case, the Agent will create and own the certificates.

How can I further improve the energy efficiency of my solar/heat pump hot water system?

  • Locate water heaters close to those areas where hot water is used.
  • Showers usually use the most hot water in a home. Install WELS 3 Star rated water efficient showerheads. The WELS scheme ensures they will provide a satisfying shower.
  • Set the thermostat between 60 to 65°C on storage hot water systems and 50°C on instantaneous systems.
  • Insulate hot water pipes.
  • Turn off the hot water system when on holidays.