Hot Water Rebates In South Australia
You might ask yourself, is it worth applying for hot water rebates. The answer is Yes and here is why.
Did you know that, on average, 23% of your total energy costs go to heating water? While this should not be surprising, as our daily hygiene and household routines revolve around having hot water. This is a figure you just can’t ignore as a smart homeowner.
The ever-rising costs of living have further raised the necessity to evaluate your monthly expenses. Electric bills, in particular, are at an all-time high and reducing these costs will definitely go a long way in easing the strain on your budget.
The good news is that you can save significant money on hot water servicing and installation in South Australia by utilising the available hot water rebates.
Let’s explore how getting new hot water systems in Adelaide using these existing rebates is the best decision you can make for your household and finances.
Why Water Rebates Are A Goldmine You Can’t Afford to Ignore?
The Federal and state governments introduced water rebates to encourage the switch to hot water systems that consume less energy. The goal is to ensure that homeowners and businesses continue to have reliable hot water systems while saving on installation, servicing, and energy consumption costs.
Cumulatively, the large-scale adoption of these energy-efficient solutions will help contribute to a more sustainable environment while creating a more flexible energy market for everyone.
There are three (3) rebate schemes that you can utilise as a homeowner or business in South Australia, and these are:
- The Retailer Energy Productivity (REPS) Scheme. This state government-led initiative primarily targets low-income households and small businesses looking to reduce their energy costs by upgrading to more energy-efficient models.
- Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme. This scheme was set up to encourage homes and businesses to invest in renewable energy systems at small capacities. Such as installing solar systems & water heaters on rooftops and replacing traditional heating systems with air-sourced heat pumps.
- Australian Gas Networks (AGN) incentives. AGN covers a range of connection bonuses and cash-back incentives to households and businesses that are connecting to natural gas for the first time.
As you can see, these water rebate schemes offer unique benefits, depending on the type of solution you choose for your home or business. Since the suitability of each scheme is dependent on your needs and the type of hot water system you opt for. Let’s look at the options available to you.
The Energy-Efficient Hot Water Systems in Adelaide
Electric Hot Water Systems
Electric hot water systems are the most popular option for most homes and businesses in South Australia. Since traditional electric hot water systems are not an energy-efficient option anymore. These are some alternatives that you can consider and enjoy savings from hot water rebates in Adelaide:
● Instant/On-demand Hot Water Systems
Instant electric hot water systems only heat water when needed and are ideal for small households with inconsistent water usage. With these water systems you don’t need a hot water storage tank, helping save space and energy costs.
● Off-Peak Systems
Unlike traditional hot water systems that waste energy by heating hot water at all times, off-peak systems only heat water when the demands are low, typically overnight. The hot water is then stored in an insulated hot water tank and used whenever needed.
● Heat Pump Systems
Heat pumps are the most energy-efficient electric systems as they use ambient air to heat water, helping save as much as 70% of the energy costs. These hot water systems are eligible for government rebates in most localities in Adelaide and are a great choice for most households and businesses.
Solar Hot Water Systems
With increasing strain on the main power grid systems, a smart choice has been to harness the energy from the sun to heat water. Solar hot water systems are eco-friendly solutions that are ideal in areas with ample sun exposure.
Since these systems greatly reduce dependence on the primary electricity grid. There are great incentives to increase the adoption of these hot water systems in Adelaide. There are several options to consider, including:
- Roof-mounted systems. These systems consist of solar panels with integrated tanks that are installed on roofs and provide hot water as long as there is good sun exposure.
- Split systems. With these systems, the solar panels are installed on the roof and connected to ground-level tanks. Split systems are suitable for premises with limited roof space and those that can’t accommodate much roof load.
- Hybrid heat pump-solar systems. These systems offer the best of both worlds as they use sun energy on sunny days and switch to heat pumps when the sun exposure gets low.
- Evacuated tube collectors and Flat plate collectors. Instead of flat panels, you can opt for evacuated tube collectors or flat plate collectors. Which capture more solar energy and are better suited for households and businesses with moderate to high hot water demands.
Gas Hot Water Systems
Instead of relying on traditional electric systems, gas hot water systems are a less expensive option to maintain. With installation incentives available and special deals from energy providers, these systems are the best choice for households and businesses in Adelaide with high hot water demands.
There are several options to consider, including:
- Natural gas storage heaters
- LPG systems (liquefied petroleum gas)
- Tankless or instantaneous gas water heaters
- Condensing gas heater
Factors to Consider When Choosing An Energy-Efficient System
The top factors to consider before settling on a suitable, energy-efficient hot water system in Adelaide are:
● Your business or household size and usage patterns
A small household will do well with a tankless or instantaneous hot water system, while a large household or business will need a high-capacity system.
● The installation costs and long-term saving potential against your current energy costs
You need to evaluate how much you are spending monthly on energy costs and compare this against the initial installation costs and subsequent savings over the years.
Since there is much more than meets the eye when looking to upgrade to an energy-efficient hot water system. It’s crucial to consult with the experts in town before making a decision. At RD Plumbing Solutions, we are fully committed to ensuring you enjoy reliable and cost-efficient hot water services.
Contact us today to explore your options and for all your hot water installation needs
Russell is a qualified Master Plumber, having been in the industry since 2004. He started his own company in 2013, and today, is a reputable company operating in metropolitan Adelaide. We are truly your local plumber!
We specialise in all aspects of plumbing services including 24 hour emergency response, blocked drains, drain camera inspections, pipe relining, gas fitting, hot water service & replacement, rain water tanks and all other home maintenance plumbing services. We aim to exceed your expectations in everyway and deliver the level of service that has made our business what it is today.
