Water heating can account for 16% of your energy bill. It’s possible to reduce these costs by upgrading to a more efficient hot water system.
Further information about hot water systems and savings is available from Sustainability Victoria.
Eligibility
To be eligible to upgrade your hot water system and get a discount/rebate you must:
- be a Victorian household or business
- have an inefficient electric or gas hot water system.
Your participation is voluntary.
How much rebate can you expect?
To be removed | To be installed | Indicative rebate* | |
|---|---|---|---|
Inefficient electric water heater | Gas storage water heater | Small | $540 |
Medium | $1,080 | ||
Large | $1,380 | ||
Gas instantaneous water heater | Small | $660 | |
Medium | $1,140 | ||
Large | $1,380 | ||
Electric boosted solar water heater | Small | $1,140 | |
Medium | $1,860 | ||
Heat pump water heater | Small | $840 | |
Medium | $1,260 | ||
Gas boosted solar water heater | Small | $1,260 | |
Medium | $2,100 | ||
Inefficient gas water heater | Efficient gas boosted solar water heater | Small | $420 |
Medium | $540 | ||
*Discount or rebate will vary – these figures are based on a certificate price of $60 and the average efficiency of products improved under the program. The final price could be higher or lower. Final price will depend on several factors including certificate price, type and size of upgrade, location, installation costs and administrative costs by Accredited Provider.
How to get involved
To participate, you must work directly with an Accredited Provider or use a tradesperson, such as a plumber or an electrician, that has a relationship with an Accredited Provider so that you can access the rebate.
Depending on your situation, there are 3 different ways of participating:
- Requesting that your local tradesperson facilitate the rebate by working with an Accredited Provider;
- Working directly with an Accredited Provider and assessing how to participate by using your own local tradesperson; or
- Working directly with an Accredited Provider and accessing their own list of tradespeople (if they have any available).
Ultimately, the Accredited Provider is the one responsible for helping you obtain a discount or rebate for the upgrade. The Accredited Provider will be able to explain how to participate, including what sort of products are eligible to be installed, the qualifications of the installer, and what documentation needs to be completed by yourself and the installer.
Tips for participating
As with any market, it's worth shopping around and working out the right fit for your needs. Follow these tips when participating:
Check out Accredited Providers
There is a range of businesses accredited under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program offering different types of products, services, expertise and costs.
To check if a person or business is an accredited provider go to the Essential Services Commission’s VEU Registry of Accredited Persons and:
- click on the 'Business Name' drop-down menu
- scroll until you see the accredited provider you are searching for.
Ensure the product's suitability
To participate, you must install an approved product, so be sure to do your own research before proceeding as there can be many approved products and not all products are of the same quality or suitability for all working environments.
Search the Essential Services Commission’s register of products for approved products.
Check the level of rebate
The amount of rebate an Accredited Provider gives to its customers for participating in Victorian Energy Upgrades can vary.