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.
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:
- have purchased and installed the solar hot water system between 1st July 2007 and 29th February 2012 or for the heat pump hot water system between 1st November 2008 and no later than the 29th February 2012;
- 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);
- be a ratepayer in the City of Hobart
- install the system on a ratable property which is located within the City of Hobart.
The rebate is limited to one rebate per ratable property or separate dwelling, and is available to all ratepayers regardless of rental or owner-occupation status of the property.
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.
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
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.
All solar and heat pump hot water systems will require plumbing permits and a completion certificate for plumbing, 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.)
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 29 February 2012.
Subject to approval, the rebate will then be deducted from subsequent rates instalment notice(s).
- Consult a registered plumber for advice concerning your needs, and Council if you're unsure of any requirements or conditions (see 'Terms and Conditions');
- Ensure you have all necessary Council permits for the installation (see 'Terms and Conditions');
- Purchase and install the product (don't forget that you must have a plumbing permit completion certificate to be eligible for the rebate), keeping receipts and manufacturer's certificate for the Solar or Heat Pump Hot Water System and make and model information;
- Complete application form, attach invoices, receipts, 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
- Don't forget to include your receipt that shows make & model numbers, and any other documentation required (see terms & conditions);
- 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.
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The new solar or heat pump hot water system must be eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (REC's) at the time and place of installation.
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The Rebate Scheme began on 1 July, 2007 and will be continued until 29 February 2012. 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.
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All properties for which owners are seeking rebates must be located within the City of Hobart.
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Any rebate granted will be deducted from the total owing on the property owner's rates notice after the application has been assessed.
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The Solar/Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate is available to all ratepayers regardless of rental or owner-occupation status of the property, but is limited to one per rateable property or separate dwelling.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Applicants are ineligible to claim the Solar/Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate where the Energy Efficient Development Rebate based on the 6 point element 'solar or heat pump hot water systems' has already been received.
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Elements of the rebate program are subject to change without notice.
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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.
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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
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A Building Permit may be required for some installations and you are advised to contact a registered building surveyor for further advice.
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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.
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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.
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Noise emissions should be taken into account. The installation of the unit should be considered carefully.
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Potential noise nuisances should be considered before installing the system close to neighbouring properties.
Federal Government Rebates and Incentives
The Australian Government's Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme commenced on 1 June 2010. It replaced the previous Solar Hot Water Rebate and Home Insulation Program. Under the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme, elilgible households can claim a rebate of $1000 for a solar hot water system and $600 for a heat pump hot water system purchased from 20 February 2010 onwards. The rebate is in addition to the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) assigned to most solar and heat pump hot water systems sold in Australia. RECs can provide a discount of around $1000 on the up front cost of the average solar or heat pump hot water system.
For more details and information about how to apply for Australian Government rebates, visit the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency website.
Renewable Energy Certificates
In January 2011, the Renewable Energy Target was split into the Large Scale Renewable Energy Target and the Small Scale Renewable Energy Target.
The installation of a solar water heater may be eligible for the creation of Small Scale Technology Certificates under the Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme, if it displaces electricity to heat water and results in a positive greenhouse gas benefit.
Once created these certificates 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.
For more information, visit the Australian Government's Office of Renewable Energy Regulator.
- 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 8C on storage hot water systems and 50 8C on instantaneous systems.
- Insulate hot water pipes.
- Turn off the hot water system when on holidays.