Government assistance for sustainability initiatives
Both the State and Federal Governments provide rebates for sustainability initiatives in the home.
NSW Home Saver Rebates - closed 30 June 2011
This rebate program ceased on 30 June 2011, however rebates are still available for eligible items installed prior to 20 June 2011. Completed rebate applications must be received within six months of the date of installation or by 5pm on 30 September 2011 (whichever is sooner).
NSW households can visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates or phone the Environment Line on 1300 361 967 for terms and conditions, application forms and more information about the NSW Home Saver Rebate program.
Eligible items include:
Water tanks - up to $1,500 for rainwater tanks connected to toilets and washing machines.
Hot water systems - $300 to switch from an electric storage hot water system to a 5-star or higher solar system or a heat pump or gas hot water system.
Hot Water Circulator - $150 rebate for installing a hot water circulator with your new or existing instantaneous gas hot water heater.
Dual Flush toilets - $200 for buying a 4-star dual flush toilet suite.
Under the scheme you can claim one of each separate item up to a total of $1,500 for each household.
Ongoing energy efficiency programs available to NSW households include:
- Home Power Savings Program, for pensioners and other low income earners, provides a free visit from an expert assessor who installs a power savings kit and tailored advice to help save up to 20% on their power use.
- Save Power Library Kits, available to borrow from participating libraries with tools to measure power use from appliances - find out where electricity is wasted and learn how to save on your power bill. Hornsby Shire Council has over 50 energy meters available for loan from its library branches at Berowra, Epping, Galston, Hornsby and Pennant Hills.
- NABERS Home, provides free online tools for householders to measure and compare their energy and water performance and find out where the biggest cost and energy savings can be made in their home.
- Fridge Buyback - residential energy efficiency program that actually pays you to help save the environment and reduce your electricity bills. For further details please visit the Fridge Buyback website.
Visit www.savepower.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 361 967 for further details.
NSW Government's Solar Bonus Scheme (gross feed-in tariff) - closed 28 April 2011
The Solar Bonus Scheme has now closed and is not accepting new applications.
The NSW Government is allowing all customers who submitted applications before midnight 28 April 2011 to join the Scheme.
The NSW Government has announced there will be no change to payments for customers already receiving or about to receive tariff payments under the Solar Bonus Scheme. This includes customers on the 60 cent or 20 cent tariff rate.
The Solar Bonus Scheme provides a feed-in tariff for eligible customers with small solar or wind generators that are connected to the grid. The Scheme commenced on 1 January 2010 and operates until 31 December 2016.
Customers wishing to connect a renewable energy generator to the grid without participating in the Solar Bonus Scheme are able to do so.
Visit the Solar Bonus Scheme website for up to date information on the Solar Bonus Scheme.
Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme - Solar Hot Water Rebate (REBS)
The Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme – Solar Hot Water Rebate (REBS) assists households to save money on power bills and reduce their carbon emissions.
REBS is available to help eligible home-owners, landlords or tenants to replace their electric storage hot water systems with solar or heat pump hot water systems. Under REBS, eligible households can claim a rebate of $1,000 for a solar hot water system or $600 for a heat pump hot water system.
IMPORTANT CHANGE: An application form must be received by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency within four months (122 days) of an eligible system being installed.
For more information please visit the Australian Government website, call 1800 808 571 or email solarhotwater@environment.gov.au.
For more information about which rebates you could claim, visit the Australian Government’s website www.livinggreener.gov.au.
