Hot water rebate

Introduction

Hot water systems are one of the biggest energy users in the home, accounting for around 21 per cent of total energy use (on average, according to YourHome) This can have a significant impact on household energy bills, but one way to keep these costs under control is to install an efficient hot water system such as a heat pump or solar hot water system.

Solar hot water and heat pump hot water systems use less energy to heat water at home, and can be run from renewable energy. Installing a more efficient solar hot water or heat pump hot water system can help reduce greenhouse emissions and energy bills. On average, households that install solar hot water systems can expect to save between $140-$400 per year on their electricity bills.

This is a great option for households where solar panels might not be suitable, or for households that already have solar panels installed.

Lower energy costs with both solar PV and hot water rebates

The Solar Homes Program is supporting eligible Victorian households to save even more. New and existing hot water customers can now apply for a solar panel PV rebate to save even more with solar.

Start your research and learn more about what solar products best suit your home. Our panel PV Buyers Guide and our hot water Buyers Guide have information to help you learn more about solar products so you can start talking to retailers and start saving more with solar.

Am I eligible?

As a Victorian householder, you could receive a hot water rebate if you meet the following criteria:

• you are the owner-occupier of an existing property where the system is to be installed
• the combined household taxable income of all owners is less than $210,000 per year
• you have not already received a hot water rebate or a solar battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program
• the property is valued at under $3 million
• the property address has not previously received a hot water rebate or a solar battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program
• the hot water system to be replaced is at least three years old from the date of purchase

Householders cannot receive the same Solar Homes rebate more than once. For example, if a householder has previously received a hot water rebate, they cannot receive another hot water rebate.

Once you're confident that you and your property meet the eligibility criteria, you can start the application process.

You should contact an authorised hot water retailer for a quote. To be eligible for a rebate, products must be on our products list.

Process for hot water installations

There are three easy steps to apply for a hot water rebate.

You should not install a solar hot water or heat pump hot water system until your eligibility has been approved by Solar Victoria – with the exception of emergency installations. If you install your hot water system before your eligibility is approved, you will not receive a rebate.

Step 1 - Obtain a quote

Contact an authorised hot water retailer to get a quote for your hot water system installation. You should advise your retailer you intend to apply for the rebate. A list of authorised hot water retailers is listed on our authorised hot water retailer page.

Obtaining a quote is necessary to apply for an eligibility number, which your installer will use to confirm that they can go ahead with your installation.

Solar Victoria does not recommend signing a quote acceptance or paying a deposit prior to receiving your rebate eligibility confirmation. As a minimum you should confirm with your retailer that any deposit is fully refundable.

Step 2 - Apply for the rebate

Applying for the rebate is easy through the hot water rebate portal. The process is different for existing customers and new customers, to learn more please refer to the guides below.

New customers

If it is your first time applying for a Solar Victoria rebate watch a video walkthrough of the Solar Victoria customer hot water rebate application process for new customers, or download the step-by-step guide below.

As a new Solar Victoria customer, you will need to provide the following to complete your application:

• your quote number from an authorised hot water retailer
• Two forms of ID. These can be a:
  • Driver’s licence
  • Medicare card
  • Australian passport
  • Australian birth certificate
  • Australian citizenship certificate
  • Foreign passport. This should be a foreign passport with a valid Australian Visa.
  • Immicard;
  • Proof of income - if there is more than one owner of the property, we require proof of income for all listed owners. If there is more than one listed owner, you will need to provide proof of income documents for each person from the same financial year.

Depending on your financial situation, see options for proof of income documents here.

Existing customers

If you have already received a solar (PV) rebate, watch a video walkthrough of the Solar Victoria customer hot water rebate application process for existing customers.

As an existing Solar Victoria customer, you will only need to provide the following:

your quote number from an authorised hot water retailer

Two forms of ID. These can be a:

• Driver’s licence
• Medicare card
• Australian passport
• Australian birth certificate
• Australian citizenship certificate
• Foreign passport. This should be a foreign passport with a valid Australian Visa.
• Immicard

You’ll need to make sure the names on both documents are the same. You can find out more about your Australian citizenship by visiting the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs (citizenship website).

Once you’ve submitted your application you’ll automatically receive an email to confirm we received your application. If we have all the information we need, your eligibility will be confirmed immediately. If not, we’ll need to review some of the details or ask for additional information.

Step 3 - Get the system installed

Once you have received confirmation of approval by Solar Victoria, you will be able to arrange the installation of the system by an authorised hot water retailer.

Please note that the program also requires the installation of an approved product.

The rebate will be paid directly to your retailer and deducted from your invoice – ensuring you only pay any outstanding balance once the system is installed.

Please note: The hot water rebate is calculated after any other discounts have been applied (including STC and VEEC) and is a 50% rebate on the purchase price of the system up to the value of $1000.

Process for emergency installations

In the case of an emergency hot water system installation, customers do not have to wait to have their eligibility approved before having their replacement system installed. This ensures customers can maintain access to hot water.

There are specific criteria that determine whether a hot water system has been installed in an emergency due to a broken down or unsafe existing hot water system. Customers must submit their eligibility application as soon as possible following the emergency installation and be prepared that they may not receive a rebate if they do not meet eligibility criteria.

Step 1 - Emergency installation

Contact your authorised retailer to arrange an emergency solar hot water or heat pump installation due to a broken down or unsafe existing water heater.

You should advise your retailer you intend to apply for the hot water rebate and let them know that the program requires the installation of an approved product. Make sure you meet all eligibility criteria, otherwise you will be ineligible for a rebate.

The hot water system is installed.

Step 2 - Apply for your rebate

You will need to apply for the rebate through the Hot Water Rebate Portal, please refer to the guides on this page about the process. You will need to check the box for emergency installations when you enter your quote details as shown in the image below.

Authorised hot water retailers

All hot water installations must be completed by an authorised hot water retailer. You can find a list of authorised hot water retailers here.

When you seek out a quote for your hot water system installation, you should advise your retailer you intend to apply for the rebate.

Products

To be eligible for a rebate, products must be on our hot water products list.

See our product lists page for more information.

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