Saving money and energy: an update on rebates

In recent months the Federal Government has made some changes to the incentives it offers to householders who make environmentally friendly improvements to their homes.

Here is the latest information on what you can claim back when you invest in energy- and water-saving measures.

Federal Government

Insulation
The discontinuation of the Home Insulation Program was announced, effective from close of business 19 February 2010. Information on the Home Insulation Safety Plan can be found here »

Solar Hot Water
From 20 February 2010, rebates will be paid under the new Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme. Eligible households can claim $1000 for solar hot water and $600 for heat pump systems. In addition to these rebates, the sale of Renewable Energy Certificates can further offset the cost of installing eligible solar or heat pump hot water systems. See below for information on Renewable Energy Certificates.

Small Generation Systems – Solar Credits
Financial assistance is available for households, businesses and community groups that install eligible small scale solar (photovoltaic), wind and hydro electricity systems. Solar credits will be provided as Renewable Energy Certificates.

Green Loans
Changes to this program were announced on 19 February 2010. Householders are still able to book a free ‘Home Sustainability Assessment’ with a report recommending actions to be taken.  The loans component of the program will be discontinued from 22 March 2010.

It was announced on 8 July that the Green Loans program will be replaced by the Green Start program. In the first round of this program, home energy assessments will be available for households. In the second round, practical help will be provided to low income and disadvantaged households to improve their energy efficiency.  Click here for more information or phone 1800 895 076

National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative
Rebates of up to $500 are available to households for either:

• The purchase and installation of a new rainwater tank which is connected for internal reuse of the water for toilet and/or laundry use; or

• The purchase and installation of a permanent greywater treatment system.

State Government

State Government  rebates may be available in addition to the Federal Government rebates.  Check rebates in your state »

Local Government

Some local governments offer additional rebates, so check with your local council. Links to local government websites »

More information on Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

1. What is a REC?
Renewable Energy Certificates are an electronic form of currency aimed at increasing the amount of renewable energy generated instead of burning more fossil fuels. You receive RECs for each megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity that is generated by a household renewable energy system (solar, wind or mini-hydro) or a solar hot water system.

2. Options for your RECs
Your have three options:

• RECs can usually be sold to the company installing your small-scale energy system in the form of an upfront discount; or

• You can choose to create, sell and transfer the RECs using the REC register; or

• You can choose to voluntarily surrender your RECs (see point 3 below).

For more information visit Living Greener.

Click here to find out how many RECs your solar water heater is eligible for »

Click here to calculate the number of RECs a small generation system is eligible for »

3. Why voluntarily surrender your RECs?
RECs have a monetary value because the Australian Parliament recently approved a new Renewable Energy Target law that requires 20% of Australia’s electricity to be renewable by 2020. Energy companies will need to buy RECs to meet this 20% target.

If you choose to voluntarily surrender your RECs (instead of selling them), energy companies will have to buy RECs from someone else. That means that the renewable energy you generate at home will, in effect, be in addition to the target set by the law. So you’ll be helping Australia do a little bit better than its goal of 20% renewable energy by 2020.

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