Most people by now have heard of the incentives associated with the installation of solar panels and solar hot water- but few are aware of the benefits of upgrading their home’s heating to more energy and cost-efficient systems.

Electric heating is the most expensive way of heating your home in terms of running costs and environmental impact. Electric fuelled systems may produce high greenhouse gas emissions- up to six times as much as an efficient gas central heating system. However, there are alternatives. If you currently have environmentally hungry electric heating and are fortunate enough to have a natural gas supply to your property – you are in luck! By decommissioning old and inefficient heating units and upgrading to high efficiency gas space heaters or ducted systems you will more than likely qualify for subsidies of up to $2,000.

These incentives also apply to households replacing old and inefficient gas systems with new gas ducted heating of higher efficiency. In fact, there are a number of prescribed space heating activities and products detailed by the Victorian Governments Essential Services Commission (ESC), which, upon installation in your home can fetch vast rewards. The Victorian Government run scheme has been in operation since the start of 2009 and will continue for at least another 6 years. For more information on the scheme and its approved models and calculators look at www.esc.vic.gov.au/ VEET.

You may also be able to retrospectively claim the monetary benefits if you undertook one of these prescribed space-heating activities in 2009 but contact Ecovantage quickly as the cut off for claiming is June 15th this year.

The average home of 150m2 will save several thousands of dollars in heating costs by substituting the electric slab heater which was popular in the 70’s and 80’s with a new gas ducted system. The new system would normally cost between $3,500 and $5,000 to install but subsidies would cut costs significantly under Victorian governments Energy Saver Incentive (ESI) program.

One recent example is a household in Shepparton had local heating specialist John Morrow decommission and replace slab heating with a zoned ducted gas heating system. The rebate back to the household was $2,000. This system allows the family to set different rooms to different temperatures. For instance, living areas can be set warmer and sleeping areas can be run a little cooler. The savings in running costs coupled with the subsidy value will see the new efficient ducted heating unit pay for itself quickly.

Residential space heating upgrades and incentives are tied to the same program that provides subsidies for efficient hot water upgrades, draught sealing as well as free incandescent light and showerhead replacements. The Energy Saver Incentive scheme (ESI) allows accredited companies such as Ecovantage to trade the carbon savings of efficiency upgrades to energy companies, who use these to offset their emissions. Once the householder decides to purchase and install a more efficient appliance, they can use a form supplied by Ecovantage to assign the carbon savings in exchange for the benefit or cash rebate.

Smaller rebates are also available upon the installation of some efficient space heaters and if you do not live in a gas reticulated area you may be eligible for a rebate upon the installation of high efficient electric heating systems. Contact Ecovantage for confirmation of the models that qualify Ecovantage is an environmental consultancy accredited to create Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs). A VEEC is an electronically produced certificate that represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) that has been abated by a prescribed activity. Since January 2009, Ecovantage has abated more than 150,000 tonnes in residential green house gas emissions in 20,000 households and will continue to do so into the future.

Bruce Easton, CEO of Ecovantage, said that the program provides significant opportunities for householders to undertake efficiency improvements without any of the fuss that seems to surround the recently shelved Federal ETS. But, Mr. Easton continued, not many people realise the extent of the potential benefits. ‘These households can enjoy the comfort advantages of a new space heater whilst pocketing both ongoing savings in energy bills and the generous incentive. It’s great, but not many people seem to know about it. It has really gone under the radar’.

It has never paid more to be energy efficient. Upgrading your heating appliances not only means that you’ll have lower energy bills, but you’ll be lessening your impact on the environment. Not only that, but you’ll be providing your family with a more comfortable home in winter. Don’t hesitate to contact Ecovantage to find out more! contact us ›