Solar Hot Water fully installed from $999*

……only while government rebates last

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Running costs      Greenhouse gas emissions Hassle free installation

Cut the jargon, here's the juice

At the time of compiling this information (Sep 2008), I was looking to replace my existing Natural Gas Hot Water System with a Solar unit at my place in Blackburn. My existing gas system is around 10 years old and probably due for the scrap metal bin shortly so I figured it’d be a good time to have look while the government has $ on the table. I got a price on a Rinnai Sunmaster 215 litre Natural Gas unit (not a bad system amongst its peers for a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home).

What I really wanted to know is how much is it going to cost me after the rebates? This is how it went……. Firstly, I enquired about the $1,000 Federal rebate - a bit quirky really because of all the conditions. Basically, it didn’t apply to me because I wasn’t going from electric to solar and it’s means tested on the family income as well. So moving on, I asked about the state rebate – still quirky but this is where the government sort of got their act together. Once they’ve determined where you live and the type of system you’re buying, you’re pretty well guaranteed of a minimum $900 off the price tag and in my case, it reduced the cost price by $1300 (thanks Mr. Brumby) - Oh, and apparently you can get up to $2500 if you live in regional Victoria. Then I asked about the RECS which is a lot like a cash back offer. Basically, the more environmentally friendly the unit, the more REC’s (cash back). This swiped another $1215 off my cost price (when I claim it back). So overall, the unit fully installed has come in for me at around $2200.

Does this work for me? Well, I could’ve installed a non-solar unit for around $1300. I also could’ve gone for a smaller solar system that’s a little lighter on the pocket. But I believe in my “moderately” long, warm showers and I’m told that I’ll save around $250 a year on the running costs in the process. All this plus I’m doing my bit for the environment..

Call the place where the Plumbers go, 1300 20 20 10.

..WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE JARGON

Find more Metro info
Eligible installs typically attract a state government rebate ranging between $900 and $1500 depending on the size and performance of the system.

Find more Regional info
Eligible installs typically attract a state government rebate ranging between $1900 and $2500 depending on the size of the system and its performance.

Find more Federal info
The Federal Government provides a further rebate of $1000 for the installation of solar or heat pump hot water systems to replace existing electric storage systems. In cases where the applicant is eligible for both this rebate and Federal Government $1000 rebate, the maximum that can be received is $2500.

Find more about REC’s
RECs or Renewable Energy Certificates are like credits. This credit can be claimed back from renewable energy traders such as Rheem, Rinnai, Dux, Aquamax and more. It’s calculated regardless of all other rebates.

*$999 price is based on a Rinnai system three hot water service installed in regional Victoria.