The Federal Government’s recent announcement about the end of the Solar Photovoltaic Rebate program has been mistaken by many homeowners as signalling the end of the Federal Government solar hot water rebate. Ecosmart Hot Water has received numerous calls from customers under the impression that they are no longer entitled to the solar hot water rebate.

The Solar Photovoltaic Rebate from the Federal Government was cut short three weeks ahead of schedule, but the announcement is not applicable to solar hot water, and the current Federal Government Solar Hot Water rebate plus some additional State based rebates and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) incentives will still apply.

Romano Bolzon, National Business Manager for Ecosmart said that solar hot water customers will still receive solar hot water rebates from the government for another couple of years, to help reduce the cost of switching to environmental hot water.

The cost of installing solar water heating is dramatically reduced thanks to the combination of (RECs), the Federal rebate and some State rebates, although the price varies between states according to the incentives and rebates available.

As one of the most energy intensive activities in the home, water heating  is responsible for approximately 35 per cent of total household energy bills.  It is also one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases.

After installing a solar hot water system, households can expect a significant reduction in energy bills, while producing up to 65 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions per year than traditional electric water heaters, resulting in an overall saving of three tonnes of carbon.

To be eligible for the government’s solar hot water rebates, the new hot water system must replace an existing electric storage hot water system.

EcoSmart Hot Water manufactures a range of environmental hot water systems for the home