Monday, February 28, 2011

Solar Hot water system prices

Solar hot water system prices vary for a number of reasons. Because they are an expensive item I am regularly asked, how much should I pay for a solar hot water system, how will I know when I am paying too much and how will I know if the price I have been quoted is too good to be true?

In this blog I will attempt to give you some of the tools you will need to answer these questions. However, it will be your own research that will ultimately help you decide if you have paid a fair price for a solar hot water system.

There are six main reasons why solar hot water system prices will be different. These are -Rebates- The efficiency of the system- Type of system- size of system- the quality of the installation- whether the system has to be moved away from the location of your existing hot water system. In this blog I will deal with your solar hot water rebates. Your Solar Hot Water rebates are deducted from the total supply and installation cost of your solar hot water system. Before you accept any quote be sure to research your solar hot water rebates and their values.

Be aware that each state has a different rebate system and the amount of rebate will vary from state to state. You can find out what state rebate you are eligible for at www.hotwaterrebate.com.au. If you live in the ACT go to http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/programs-and-rebates/solar-hot-water.aspx#eligibility

Some local councils will also offer a rebate for changing to solar hot water. Ring your local council before you speak to a solar hot water salesperson.

Up until January 2012 the federal government will also provide a $1000.00 rebate for any solar hot water system that gets more than 20 Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs). The federal government will also provide a $600.00 rebate for a hot water heat pump which gets more than 20 STCs.

Each solar hot water system or heat pump is eligible for STC rebates. Your STC rebate will vary depending on how efficient your solar hot water system is. One STC is equal to one tonne of carbon saved. The higher the number of STCs allocated to a system the more efficient it will be. You can find how many STCs your system is eligible for at http://www.hotwatersystems-plumbing.com.au/solar-hot-water-canberra/STC-values.html

Be sure to ask the salesperson how many STCs the system they propose is eligible for. Also ask the salesperson who much they are willing to pay you for each STC when the system is installed. I generally use www.green-bank.com.au as a guide. If the price per STC you are quoted seems high compared to Green-banks you may be getting scammed.

Ask the salesperson for the overall cost before any rebates are deducted.

Remember before you accept any solar hot water system prices research what you have been told by the sales person.

For a comparative quote for Solar Hot water system prices you can contact 6 Star Hot Water and Plumbing. www.hotwatersystems-plumbing.com.au/solar-hot-water-canberra/

Monday, February 21, 2011

Solar Hot Water Rebates for Canberra and Queanbeyan.

You may be entitled to substantial solar hot water rebates for Canberra and Queanbeyan when you change from electric hot water to solar hot water or gas.

The Australian Government in its recent environmental blueprint, announced that greenhouse intensive electric hot water systems will be phased out in new homes with access to reticulated natural gas in 2010, and as installations in all existing homes by 2012.

To assist home owners to make the change from electric hot water systems to solar hot water systems and heat pumps worth more than 20 Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC's) the federal government provides substantial solar hot water rebates.

For a solar hot water system worth more than 20 STC's you receive a $1000.00 rebate. For solar heat pumps worth more than 20 STC's you receive a $600.00 rebate

There is no means testing for the federal solar hot water rebates. However, you are ineligible if you have applied for the home insulation rebate.

The federal solar hot water rebates are planned to cease on January 1st 2012 when environmental hot water systems become mandatory.

Additionally, to assist NSW home owners to make the change from electric hot water systems to solar hot water systems and heat pumps worth more than 20 STC's and high efficiency gas hot water systems the NSW government provides a further $300.00 in rebates.

The NSW solar hot water and gas hot water rebates are planned to cease on June 30th 2011.

You are also entitled to sell the STC's that come with each solar hot water system when it is installed. Some solar hot water systems get 47 STC's. When you consider that STC's generally trade in a range between $30.00 and $40.00 per STC, they too can add up to a very substantial rebate.

The ACT Energy Wise program offers rebates of up to $500 on a solar hot water system. However, in order to qualify for the rebate, the homeowner is required to spend an additional $1000 on other energy saving improvements around the home. The homeowner is also required to have an energy audit performed at the cost of $30 and provide supporting documentation. However, you are ineligible for this rebate if you have applied and received the federal government rebate.

Put simply, given the substantial solar hot water rebates for Canberra and Queanbeyan, there has never been a better time to buy an environmental hot water system.

For further information about
Solar Hot Water and gas hot water in Canberra or Queanbeyan for installation advice contact 6 Star Hot Water and Plumbing.

For STC Values for solar hot water heater systems in Zone 3 (Canberra)