A Renewable Energy Future Installed From Only $1635
Action on climate change
Environmentally friendly hot water systems, like solar and heat pumps, aren't just for the green at heart anymore. Solar and heat pump water heaters have quickly become mainstream. And it's no wonder. Nothing is more Australian than sunshine, so it's no surprise that our climate is ideally suited to solar and heat pump water heaters. Sydney, for example, has 15% more solar gain than sunny Barcelona in Spain, where solar water heaters are widely used.
In fact, the Australian Government, in its recent environmental blueprint, announced that greenhouse intensive electric water heaters will be phased out in new and existing homes with access to reticulated natural gas in 2010, and as installations in all existing homes by 2012.
To support this initiative, the Australian Government has invested in ensuring house holders benefit from this environmental blue print by introducing various Federal rebates to promote the take up of Solar Hot Water and Heat Pump systems. Whilst the Federal rebate has been changed as of February 20, 2010, and combined with State Rebate Schemes, as well as the creation of Renewable Energy Certificates, savings of up to 35% can still be achieved on the purchase of a solar or heat pump water system.
Remember, these rebates are planned to cease in 2012 when environmental hot water systems become mandatory. Put simply, there has never been a better time to purchase a solar or heat pump water.
The Need for Action on Climate Change
Installing solar hot water
Australia is particularly vulnerable to climate change. As the world's highest per capita greenhouse gas polluter, climate change is an issue that's very close to home for all Australians.
The Greenhouse Effect remains the most pressing ecological problem facing our planet. The CSIRO has warned that we face hotter and drier summers, more intense droughts and extreme weather events, less water for our cities, the loss of our snowfields - a vital water source - and the devastation of the Great Barrier Reef.
Minimising the consumption of fossil fuel generated energy is one of the most effective ways of reducing household greenhouse gas emissions. As clean, green energy sources, solar and heat pump water heaters are the perfect alternative. The potential greenhouse gas savings can be huge. The average home using an electric hot water heater produces just over 6 tonnes of greenhouse gas each year. A similar home using a Dux Sunpro® solar or Airoheat® heat pump hot water system produces over 60% less!
The vast body of scientific and economic evidence shows that the costs of failing to act on climate change will far outweigh the costs of early and decisive action. Just as important, the environment our children and grandchildren inherit is in our hands. It really is a compelling call to action.
The Economic Reality of Going Green
Designed to save
It's not widely known but the old electric water heater consumes more power than any other appliance in the home. In fact, on average, they can account for around 35% of total electricity costs. With the average household energy bill sitting at around $1,500 per annum, that could be over $600 every year on just heating your water. With energy costs set to soar over time, installing a Dux Sunpro® solar or Airoheat® heat pump water heater is a much smarter alternative.
Depending on your home's location and your hot water consumption, a Dux Sunpro® solar water heater has the potential to reduce water heating costs by around 80%. Based on a family of four living in Sydney, that's an impressive saving of more than $4,000 over 10 years (depending on your energy tariff).
Installing a solar or heat pump water heater will provide ongoing savings over the life of the system. The full costs of purchasing and installing a system are soon surpassed by the total energy bill savings.
And don't forget, electricity prices are on the increase. In New South Wales, for example, prices have already increased by 25% this year, and it is forcast that a further 60% increase is expected over the next three years.
Huge Government Rebates
Whilst the Solar Hot Water rebate and the Heat Pump Hot Water rebate has been reduced to $1000 and $600 respectively, combined with the State Government rebates available in some states and the purchasing of Renewable Energy Certificates, there has simply never been a better time to install a Dux Sunpro® solar or Airoheat® heat pump water heater!
For the complete eligibility criteria and to calculate how much you might save, go to www.hotwaterrebate.com.au
Why Solar Hot Water?
With different criteria and different schemes in place around the country, Mark Group understands that working out just what type and amount of rebate you're eligible for can be a little complex.
We'd like to make it simple.
Just pop in your details and we'll get back in touch with you to discuss how much you can offset the cost of a solar hot water installation. Enter your details here.
So smart it pays for itself
Mark assessors will be able to inform you as to what system suits your needs for now and in the future. Switching to solar hot water can save you a lot of money. Did you know electric hot water systems use more power than any other household appliance? On average they can account for between 35-40% of total electricity costs. Quite a sum when you consider the average Australian home spends $1500 a year on electricity.
There is a smarter alternative
Depending on your home's location and water consumption, Mark Group can install a Solar Hot Water System that has the potential to reduce water heating costs by up to 80%. Based on a family of four living in Sydney or Brisbane that's an impressive saving of around $4000 over ten years!
RECS
RECs - Renewable Energy Certificates
As part of its environmental commitments, the Federal Government is offering rebates to individuals who produce energy from renewable sources or displace energy usage from non-renewable sources. Solar hot water and heat pump systems are included in this program.
Factors such as your location plus the model, tank volume and generating capacity of your solar hot water service will determine the full REC value.
A renewable energy certificate (or REC) represents the value of 1Mwh of electricity and is calculated based on a ten year system service life. The value of a REC is not fixed and varies due to market forces. Once created RECs can be traded, purchased or sold, thereby making a solar water heater installation cheaper for the owner.
