February 19th, 2010
The Rudd Goverment has announced this morning that it will stop the $1200 subsidies on roof insulation following the death incidents and some poor worksmanship of certain installers. Installers now have just seven days to lodge their $1,200 claims for all finished work.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett said he was getting rid of the shonky operators by requiring tough new rules to force all installers to re-register, pay a cash bond of about $10,000 and prove they had proper training.
It is expected the subsidies to be replaced with a $1,000 rebate starting on 1st of Jun this year.
Mr Garrett also announced sweeping changes to other schemes, cutting the rebate for solar hot water systems to $1000. The interest-free green loans to carry out home improvements will also be axed next month.
Source: Herald Sun
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February 6th, 2010
Green Loans is an Australian Government initiative to help Australians tackle climate change. The Green Loans Program assists Australian families to install solar, water saving, and energy efficient products.
Green Loans has two main components of support from the Australian Government:
- a free Home Sustainability Assessment and report; and
- access to a Green Loans subsidy provided to participating financial institutions to cover up to four years interest for borrowing of up to $10,000, to implement changes recommended in the assessment report.
The Program commenced on 1 July 2009.
Many households who take up a Home Sustainability Assessment may be interested in taking out a loan to undertake the home improvements suggested in the assessment report. To assist these households, the Australian Government has lowered the cost of finance by providing a loan subsidy to participating financial institutions.
For all information regarding green loans check out www.environment.gov.au/greenloans.
Tags: Green loan
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February 5th, 2010
The Australian Government is offering a rebate of $1,600 to install a solar hot water system or $1,000 to install a heat pump hot water system. This is to help eligible home-owners, landlords or tenants to replace their electric storage hot water systems with solar or heat pump hot water systems. This offer is part of the Government’s Energy Efficient Homes Package which came into effect on 3 February 2009.
The Solar Hot Water Rebate will help people save money on their power bills and reduce their household’s greenhouse gas emissions. Water heating is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions from the average Australian home, accounting for around 25 per cent of home energy use (excluding the family car).
Installing a climate friendly hot water system can save a family up to $700 off their energy bills each year.
For more information check out www.environment.gov.au.
This rebate can be used in combination with any Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that you may be eligible for, saving you even more on a new solar hot water system or heat pump for your home. For more information on RECs check out www.orer.gov.au.
Tags: heat pump, rebate, solar hot water
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February 5th, 2010
Water scarcity has always been a huge problem in Australia. However, there are ways to help ease this problem for many Australians. Rainwater tanks have been used for a long time to manage water use by preserving rainwater that can be stored and later used for drinking and other home use. In addition, new advancements in greywater systems mean that homes can potentially recycle just over half of their total household water use, which is usually hundreds of litres of water a day.
As part of the $12.9 billion Water for the Future plan, the Government is delivering the $250 million National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative to help people use water wisely in their everyday lives.
The Australian Government is providing:
- Rebates of up to $500 for households to install rainwater tanks or greywater systems.
- Grants to surf life saving clubs of up to $10,000 to install a rainwater tank or undertake a larger water saving project.
The National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative offers household rebates of up to $500 for new rainwater tanks or greywater systems purchased after 30 January 2009. Applications for rebates will only be accepted from 1 March 2009. For more information check out www.environment.gov.au.
Tags: greywater, rebate
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January 10th, 2010
Taken directly from the www.bendigobank.com.au – an offer to good to refuse!
With a 0.50%pa reduction on the Bank’s current residential variable rate and no monthly service fee, a Generation Green™ Home Loan makes building or buying a ‘green’ home more affordable. In fact, you could save more than $51,000 over the life of your loan*.
And if that’s not reason enough to consider a ‘green’ home, remember you might also save on energy and water bills and further reduce your impact on the environment
Tags: Green loan, incentive
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January 10th, 2010
The Commonwealth Government’s economic stimulus package is offering home owners up to $1600 cash back for roof insulation on owner occupied homes. They are also offering a $1000 insulation rebate for landlords on each property that they own. These initiatives are geared towards making homes in Australia more energy efficient. In addition to these incentives many Australians may also be eligible to receive free ceiling insulation as well.
Tags: cash back, Green incentives
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