What rebates are available for new & existing houses in NSW? (NSW) Members are advised to check relevant websites for eligibility, terms & conditions Information current as at 14 July 2009 Rebates for New Houses Solar Hot Water Systems (SHWs) & Small Generation Units (SGUs) Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) is a market-based certificate trading scheme. Consumers of eligible SHW systems and SGUs (small solar photovoltaic systems, small wind turbines and hydroelectric systems) can choose to create and trade their RECs themselves or assign their right to create RECs to a registered agent in return for a financial benefit. The majority of consumers choose to assign their right to create RECs to a registered agent, as the process is much simpler and it typically means that you receive a discount on the purchase from the supplier. The owner of the SHW system or the SGU at the time it is installed. For new buildings, this could be the builder or developer. No end date has been established. Visit the Australian Government Office of Renewable Energy Regulator website to find out more www.orer.gov.au or call (02) 6159 7700. A register of eligible SWHs, the criteria associated with the SGUs and their assigned REC values is available on this website. Example of RECs rebate for a typical domestic SHW system: Cost of domestic SHW system = $5000 Average number of RECs for domestic SHW system = 28 RECs Average value of a *REC = $36 Total value of RECs for this system = $1008 Cost of domestic SHW system (after RECs have been deducted) = $3992 Further rebates (for exsting houses) from the Federal and State Government also apply which will reduce the end cost of the SHW system to approximately $1500 for installation. * The value of a REC varies from day to day. Check out the value of the REC at the time of purchase to work out the rebate.
Page 2 Rebates for Existing Houses The rebates for existing homes are available from both the and the. In some cases, homes may be eligible for both rebates. Solar Hot Water Systems (SHWs) The is offering up to $1600 for homeowners to replace their existing electric storage hot water system with a solar or heat pump hot water system (which is eligible for at least 20 RECs). Homeowners can claim either the $1600 ceiling insulation rebate or this rebate, not both. Who can install the SHW system? A licensed plumber or electrician must install the SHW system. An owner-occupier or tenant can apply for the rebate as long as the dwelling where the hot water system is installed is a principal place of residence. The rebate is available until 30 June 2012. Visit the Australian Government s Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency or call their hotline on 1800 808 571. Solar Hot Water Systems (SHWs) The is offering up to $1200 for homeowners to replace their existing electric hot water system with a solar or heat pump hot water system (which is eligible for at least 20 RECs). Who can install the SHW system? A licensed plumber must install the SHW system. Only an owner of an existing dwelling can apply for the rebate. SHW systems installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes and major renovations are not eligible for a rebate. The rebate is available until 30 June 2011.
Page 3 Visit the Department of Environment & Climate Change (Residential rebate Program) website to find out more www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates or call their hotline on 1300 361 967. Gas Hot Water Systems The is offering up to $300 for homeowners to replace their existing electric hot water system with a 5-star or higher energy rating gas hot water system. Who can install the Gas Hot Water system? A licensed plumber must install the gas hot water system. Only an owner of an existing dwelling can apply for the rebate. Hot water systems installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes and major renovations are not eligible for a rebate. The rebate is available until 30 June 2011. Visit the s Department of Environment & Climate Change (Residential rebate Program) website to find out more www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates or call their hotline on 1300 361 967. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems The s Solar Homes and Communities Plan which offered a rebate of up to $8000 for a new solar photovoltaic system was terminated on 9 June 2009. The Solar Credits Scheme will replace this Plan. Solar Credits will be available (in addition to the current RECs available for small photovoltaic systems) once the legislation has passed which is expected to be before the end of 2009. Visit www.climatechange.gov.au/renewabletarget/ to find out more. Ceiling Insulation The is offering up to $1600 for homeowners to install ceiling insulation to existing homes that do not currently have any ceiling insulation or if the overall R-value of the ceiling insulation is less than R 0.5. Homeowners can claim either the Federal Government $1600 solar hot water system rebate or this rebate, not both.
Page 4 Who can install the ceiling insulation? Homeowners be required to select an installer from the Installer Provider Register on the Government s website www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency or call 1800 808 571. Licensed builders and other tradespeople can register to become an installer on the Installer Provider Register by calling 1800 808 571. Homeowners can benefit from the a rebate up to $1600 and renters and landlords can claim up to $1000. Please note that the installer carries out the work upfront and claims the reimbursement from the Government on behalf of the homeowner. The homeowner does not pay the installer (unless the work carried out exceeds $1600). The rebate is available until 31 December 2011 for homeowners and 30 June 2011 for renters and landlords. Visit the Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency or call them on their hotline 1800 808 571. Rainwater Tank or Greywater Treatment System The is offering a rebate of up to $500 to existing homeowners to install a rainwater tank or a greywater treatment system on their existing property. The new rainwater tank must be connected for internal reuse of the water for toilet and/or laundry use. Who can install the rainwater tank? A licensed plumber must install the rainwater tank or greywater treatment system. Only an owner of an existing dwelling can apply for the rebate. The rebate is available until 31 March 2014. Visit the Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts www.environment.gov.au/water/programs/nrgi or call the hotline on 1800 808 571.
Page 5 Rainwater tanks The is offering up to $1500 to homeowners who install a rainwater tank with a minimum capacity of 2000 litres to their existing property. Households not connected to the mains supply are eligible for a rebate for the purchase of the tank only. Who can install the rainwater tank? A licensed plumber must install the rainwater tank. Only an owner of an existing dwelling can apply for the rebate. Rainwater tanks installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes and major renovations are not eligible for a rebate. The rebate is available until 30 September 2011. Visit the Department of Environment & Climate Change (Residential Rebate Program) website to find out more www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates or call them on their hotline 1300 361 967. Washing Machines The is offering a rebate of $150 to install a new washing machine with at least 4.5 star water efficiency rating. Only an owner or tenant of an existing dwelling can apply for the rebate. Washing machines installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes and major renovations are not eligible for a rebate. The rebate is available until 30 June 2010. Visit the Department of Environment & Climate Change (Residential Rebate Program) website to find out more www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates or call them on their hotline 1300 361 967. For further information HIA members can contact HIA s Building & Planning Services staff on 1300 650 620 or hia_technical@hia.com.au. If you would like to become a HIA member, contact 1300 650 620 or enquiry@hia.com.au