Rebates
- Hot Water System Rebates
- Insulation Rebates
- Solar Rebates
- Rainwater Tank Rebates
- Washing Machine Rebates
- Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
The Australian Federal Government and the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change offer rebates to help ease the cost of installing climate-friendly products. Take advantage of these great offers
Hot Water System Rebates
Water heating is the biggest energy user in NSW homes. By switching from an electric to a climate-friendly hot water system, you can save up to three tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year and $300 on your energy bills.
NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (www.decc.nsw.gov.au) offers up to $1200 to switch from electric to a solar, gas or heat pump system. Find out more here http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/ccfhws.htm
The Federal Government’s Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/solarhotwater ) offers up to $1000 to replace electric with solar and heat pump systems.
You may be eligible to claim both rebates – check with your supplier!
Insulation Rebates
Almost 25% of energy used in NSW homes is for heating and cooling. Ceiling insulation keeps your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter, meaning that air-conditioners and heaters can be used more efficiently. This saves both money and greenhouse gas emissions.
The NSW Ceiling Insulation Rebate (http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/ccfcir.htm ) of up to $300 is available for any type of thermal insulation for ceilings installed in residential properties in NSW.
Solar Rebates
Imagine harvesting your own power from the sun – and feeding it back to the grid! The Federal Government’s Solar Homes and Communities Plan (http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/pv/index.html) provides rebates of up to $8000 for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems on homes.
Rainwater Tank Rebates
Using drinking water to flush the loo makes no sense at all!
By capturing rainwater run-off from your roof, rainwater tanks can provide a valuable water source to flush toilets, wash clothes, water gardens and wash cars. Using rainwater can save you money and help the environment.
Sydney Water (www.sydneywater.com.au) offers rebates of up to $1500 for installing rainwater tanks on your home. Find out more here www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourGarden/RainwaterTanks
Washing Machine Rebates
www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourHome/WashingMachineRebate
A rebate of $150 is available to customers who purchase a new washing machine with at least a 4-star1 water efficiency rating1. HURRY! The offer will only run until 31 July 2008. 4-star1 water efficient washing machines save more than 21,000 litres of water a year compared to older machines. The rebate offer could help to save one million litres a day.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
What is a REC?
Renewable Energy Certificates, as the name implies, are a form of currency which recognises and certifies renewable energy generation has taken place.
The REC system has been created to aid in meeting Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets (MRET), set to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas production and increase the proportion of Australia’s electricity that is derived from renewable energy sources.
Each REC represents an equivalent 1 megawatt hour of electricity generation from an accredited renewable energy source, or in the case of solar hot water heaters each REC represents the equivalent of 1 megawatt hour of electricity displaced by solar energy.
For solar hot water heaters, eligible technologies to create a REC may include:
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Solar hot water heaters
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Air sourced heat pump water heaters
Other technologies eligible for REC creation include:
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Small photovoltaic solar energy generation systems
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Small wind turbines
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Small hydro system
Each system is assigned a REC value which represents the number of megawatt hours displaced by the system over its lifetime. The value of 1 REC at the time of purchasing the system will determine the total REC value of the system. For example if your solar hot water system is entitled to 24 RECs, and the value of 1 REC is $46.00, then the total REC value of the system is $1,104.00.
Owners of solar hot water heaters can create RECs themselves through the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator’s internet based REC registry, but most people will find it far more convenient and simple to assign their right to create RECs to a Registered Agent in return for a financial benefit such as a discount at the time of purchase.
So together with the Solar Hot water heater rebates on offer from the NSW Government and Federal Government, there is also the opportunity to receive a further cost reduction through the creation of RECs at the time of purchasing your new system.
For more information on eligibility for RECs and REC creation check out the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator at www.orer.gov.au, or contacting the ORER by telephone on (02) 6274 2192.