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A heat pump water heater is an alternative to a solar hot water system when you want to install a more energy efficient hot water system but the roof on your home is not suited to installing a solar hot water system or makes the cost of installation far too expensive?
A heat pump works like a refrigeration system in reverse. It uses heat from the air (and its own waste heat) to heat water. It typically uses around one third of the electricity that an electric water heater uses to deliver the same amount of hot water. It can heat water even when the outside temperature drops below zero and when the sun isn't shining, although it is not as energy efficient as a solar water heater.
Alice Solar City now has a financial incentive to install a heat pump water heater as an alternative to solar hot water (SHW) when it is considered that the heat pump is more suitable for the application than a SHW. Where there is insufficient roof space or the only available roof space is too shaded, too steep, in disrepair, faces the wrong direction or the cost to buy and install a SHW exceeds $7000, a heat pump can be offered as an alternative.
ASC provides a discount of 35%, up to a maximum of $1000 towards the purchase price of a heat pump.
In addition to the above, householders may also be eligible to receive a rebate through the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) scheme, which is part of the Australian Government’s Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. The RECs scheme effectively creates a value for the renewable energy that is generated by installing a heat pump water heater. Each eligible heat pump generates a set number of RECs, which can be ‘sold’ to organisations who have an obligation to under the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. The value of this rebate varies according to the market price for RECs, however the value as of June 2011 is approximately $500 for a 270 litre solar heat pump. Householders should check the current REC value applicable for the particular system that they are intending to install, as it can vary considerably.
Call us on 8950 4350 or drop into the Smart Living Centre at 82 Todd Street (opposite the Civic Centre) if you would like to find out if you are eligible to receive this incentive.