Transcript Community Energy & Water Efficiency Information Session

Community Energy & Water
Efficiency Information Session
Introduction
The aim of this session is to provide information on the products and rebates
available to help you improve the energy and water efficiency of your home.
 Solar and water saving technologies have the potential to deliver substantial
energy and water savings and cuts to greenhouse gas emissions across the
shire.
 Reductions in the Shire’s greenhouse gas emissions work towards achieving
the visions and aims of Council’s Cities for Climate Protection Local Action
Plan and it’s People, Place, Prosperity – A framework for a more sustainable
Ballina Shire 2025.
 So far Ballina residents have taken up 74 State rebates and 159 Federal
rebates for solar hot water systems. Saving over 500 tonnes CO2 per
annum.
 The Climate Action Home Rebate Campaign features special ‘Local resident
discount’ for solar hot water an example of which is provided in the next
slide. For full list visit: www.Ballina.nsw.gov.au
 This is a great time to take advantage of the State and Federal rebates and
local discounts that are currently on offer to save money and reduce your
carbon footprint.

For more information on improving the water and energy of your home, workplace or
school visit www.ballina.nsw.gov.au and follow the links to Sustainable Ballina Shire.
Example www.ballina.nsw.gov.au
Sustainable Energy & Water Services
(SEWS)
SEWS is an Independent home energy and water
Assessment / Auditing company.
• No Contractual agreement with any Solar Hot Water,
Solar Power, Insulation or any other product provider.
• Home Energy and Water Audits on behalf of many other
NSW Councils, State and Federal Gov’ts, almost 4000
homes assessed so far.
www.sews.net.au
SEWS
Information Session Overview

Reasons For Retrofitting – (10 mins)

Solar Hot Water, Solar Power and Rebates (40 mins)

Water Tanks, Water Efficient Washing Machines and
Rebates (30 mins)

Household Insulation and Rebates (10 mins)

Questions and Answers (10 mins)
The Reasons for Retrofitting
The 3 C’s
 Cost Savings
– Reduce your Electricity, Gas and Water Bill Costs
 Carbon
– Reduce your Carbon footprint
 Comfort
– Increase the Comfort of your home and lifestyle
The Reasons for Switching to
SHW and Rebates:
Carbon / Environmental:
•
•
Large CO2 Savings
Between 2 - 4 Tonnes of CO2 per year
Cost / Economic:
•
•
•
•
Significant Dollar savings
Long System Life
Cost of Electricity and Gas rising quickly
Rebates for Installation (vendor, Local, State
and Federal)
• 20 - 40% of the average household’s
energy used for heating water
Hot Water Environmental
Comparison
How the Various SHW Systems
Operate
The Names of the Various SHW Technoligies:
• Thermosiphon System
• Split System
• Flat Panel Collector
• Evacuated Glass Tube
• Open and Closed Loop Systems
• Boosting Options
Thermosiphon SHW Systems:
Thermosiphon SHW Systems use sunlight to circulate water
or heat absorbing fluid through the solar collectors to the
storage tank using the thermosiphon principle that hot
water or fluid rises and that dark surfaces absorb heat.
This eliminates the need for circulating pumps or other
moving parts. The tank and the solar collectors are both
mounted on the roof.
The system is available in open-loop and closed-loop
configurations.
Typical Thermosiphon System
Split Systems:
 The solar collectors are separated
from the storage tank, with the tank
located below the collectors on the
roof.
 Consequently, a circulating pump and
controller are utilised to ensure correct
water / Heat transfer fluid circulation.
 Like thermosiphon systems, the forced
circulation system is also available in
open loop and closed loop
configurations.
Flat Panel Collector:
 Contains copper risers that hold the water/fluid.
 12 through to 32 risers.
 Tube or pressed copper plate.
 Tempered glass.
AS/NZS 2712 : 2007
 Stainless steel or
Steel frame.
 Connectors
Evacuated Glass Tubes:
• The Sun’s solar energy is transferred to a
manifold via the heat pipe located in each tube.
• Heat transfer then occurs between the heat
pipe and water passing through the manifold. The
water is then transferred to the tank.
• The cylindrical design of the tubes ensures
effective collection of the Sun’s solar energy
throughout the entire day.
• Frost tolerant to around minus 15 degrees
Evacuated Glass Tubes:
Evacuated Glass Tubes:
Open Loop Systems:
Open Loop System- Suitable for Non-Frost Climates
 In Open-Loop Systems the water is circulated through the
solar collectors and is heated directly by the sun.
 The heated water then goes to your storage tank to await
use.
 These systems are suitable for climates that are frost-free
and have good water quality.
Closed Loop Systems:
Close Loop System - Suitable for Frost Prone
areas:
 Closed loop systems use a heat absorbing fluid which
flows to the water storage tank to heat the water via a heat
exchanger.
 They are particularly useful in frost prone areas and areas
with poor water quality.
Boosting Options:
All SHW have either electric or gas boosting to ensure a
continuous supply of hot water, so you should never run
out of hot water.
 Electric
–
–
–
–
–
Element Size/s
Dual or single element
Off Peak Tariff
Manual Boost Switch or effective Controller
Adjustable Thermostat
Boosting Options: cont’
 Gas or LPG
– In tank or in line booster
– Adjustable Thermostat
– In Line is an additional product to
purchase and maintain
System Comparison:
Flat Panel vs. Evacuated Glass Tube








Initial Costs
Warranty
Structural Issues
Performance
Retrofit
Maintenance
Aesthetics / Visual impact
The Number of REC’s the system creates go to
www.orer.gov.au
Storage Tanks
 Vitreous Glass Enamel Lined Steel
– Shorter tank life Generally
– Must Replace your Sacrificial Anode
 Stainless Steel
–
–
–
–
Higher Purchase Price
Longer Tank Life in General
No Sacrificial Anode
Varying Grades of Stainless Steel available
 Insulation of Tank is Very Important
Installation Considerations:
 Collectors should be positioned on north-facing unshaded roof,
sloping at least 150.
 Flat-plate collectors are most effective up to 200 either side of due
north.
 Evacuated Glass tubes claim to be effective up to 900 either side of
north.
 Collectors can be mounted on stand for other orientations or
incorrect roof slope.
 May be able to convert relatively new, pre-existing hot water system
to solar.
 Check your home insurance policy to make sure that your SHW
system can be covered
Maintenance
Ensure that you follow the maintenance
requirement of the manufacturer to ensure validity
of Warranty's.
Sacrificial Anodes and TPR Valves
If required in your Hot Water Storage Tank,
ensure that they are checked and replaced in a
timely manner. If Properly Maintained this can
dramatically increase the life of the storage tank
Keep the tank dry and out of the weather to limit
corrosion on all parts.
Rebates: Federal Gov’t
Up to $1000
Eligibility Requirements
Full details of eligibility are provided in the guidelines in the Applicant Information Booklet available online.
Eligible Systems
To be eligible for the rebate, a hot water system must:
 Replace an electric storage hot water system, be purchased and installed after 18 July 2007
 Be a solar hot water system that is eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) at
the time and place of installation and be installed by a suitably qualified person.
Eligible Households
 The dwelling where the hot water system is installed must be a principal place of residence.
 The applicant's taxable family income must have been less than $100,000 in the most recent tax
year as lodged with the Australian Taxation Office.
Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s)
Essentially a form of Carbon Credit / Offset that is used as a point of sale rebate, the more REC’s
associated to a particular SHW system the higher the point of sale rebate.
Rebates: NSW State Gov’t
Up to $1200
Eligibility
The new hot water systems must:
 Replace an existing electric hot water system
 Be for residential properties in NSW only
 Be purchased in full and installed between October 1, 2007 and June 30, 2009
 Be installed by a licensed plumber
 Hot water systems installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability
Index) for new homes and major renovations are not eligible for a rebate
How much is the rebate?
Up to $1200 for a solar hot water systems eligible for at least 20 Renewable
Energy
Certificates (RECs)
SHW Finance Options:
Vendor finance:

Check with the individual SHW vendor
–
–
Some offer Interest free Loans
Some offer Low interest Loans
Finance institutions:

Check with your Finance Institution
–
–
Some offer Interest free Loans as an addition to your mortgage
Some offer Low interest Loans
Leasing / Rental / Service Plans:
–
–
–
–
No initial cost
No maintenance costs
You do not actually own the system
Ongoing contract cost of up to 20 years
Federal Government Green Loans Commencing Early 2009:
–
Low-interest Green Loans of up to $10,000 will be made available to home owners
specifically for the installation of solar, water and energy efficient products in their homes.
Each household will be required to pay back the loan at the maximum rate of two per
cent of their annual gross income, with a minimum of $300 to be repaid each year.
How much can I save?
In a typical house, water heating accounts for one third of your electricity use.
By installing a solar hot water system and using the sun's energy to heat your
hot water, you could save up to and above 75% per year on the hot water
component of your electricity or gas bill.
Does it work as well as a standard hot water system?
Yes. Solar hot water systems provide just as much hot water as conventional
systems, even on cloudy days. This is because they have a booster (electric or
gas) that heats water in the storage tank if there is not enough sunshine.
What are the environmental benefits?
Most of Australia’s electricity use is created by power plants burning coal to
generate electricity. This emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,
contributing to the greenhouse effect. An average house using solar hot water
can help prevent up to 3.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into the
atmosphere each year – that's about the same emissions produced by one car
on the road every two years.
Solar Hot Water Hyperlinks
 AS/NZS 2712:2007
Standards Australia
 Rebates and Discounts
Federal Government
State Government
Ballina Shire Council Solar Hot Water Program
The Reasons for Installing Solar
Power and Rebates
(Based on 1 Kilo-watt Grid Connect System)
Carbon / Environmental Benefits:
Produce an average of 1000 - 1400 Kilo-watts per year in NSW
Approx 25+ Tonnes of Co2 saved over a 25 year period
Cost / Economic:
Payback period varies dramatically depending on your cost of electricity and
how much electricity you feed back into the grid, your rebates and your daily
electricity consumption
Long System Life - most Solar Panels are warrantied to 25 years
Cost of Electricity is rising quickly which shortens your payback period
The Reasons for Installing Solar
Power and Rebates - Cont’d
Potential introduction of a Federal “Feed - In Tariff” will further reduce
your payback period
Feed In Tariffs have been announced in S.A, Qld, W.A, and the ACT
Federal Rebates available now will not last long term and will most
likely be replaced with “Carbon Credits” in 2010, although currently
meant to last through to 2012
Rebates for Installation are substantial
- up to $8000 from the Federal Gov’t
- REC’s of approx $1000
Check with your Electricity Retailer and solar installer for the exact
price they will pay for electricity you feed into the grid
How Does Solar Power Work?
When the sun is shining on the solar panels they generate solar electricity.
This electricity is then fed into an inverter which converts it to mains voltage.
During the day if you are using any appliances, the solar electricity will be sent to
power your appliances.
If no energy is being used while the system is producing electricity, the inverter
feeds this energy into the electricity grid.
At night, your house draws energy from the grid.
With a Grid Connected System you do not require batteries and you will never run
out of power as you have the electricity grid as a back up.
In addition to this, no changes will be need to made within your house regarding
internal wiring etc. It is all managed at the switchboard.
How Does Solar Power Work?
How Does Solar Power Work?
You are essentially purchasing a series Photo Voltaic Solar Panels
and an Invertor.
The Invertor converts Direct Current Electricity to Alternate Current Electricity
which can then be used in your home or fed back into the grid
Solar Power Product Insurance
and Warranty Considerations
Ensure that all products meet relevant AUSNZ Standards
Ensure that all products (Solar Panels and Invertors) have a reasonable
warranty period
Ensure that the “installation” has a reasonable warranty period provided by
the installer as this is different to the product warranty
Try to utilise a reputable local provider that will provide you with timely and
effective service
Have the Solar Power Installation covered by your Home insurance
Must be installed by a BCSE accredited installer to receive REC’s and Fed’
Gov’t rebates
Solar Power Product Insurance
and Warranty Considerations
Must be installed by a BCSE accredited installer to receive REC’s and Fed’
Gov’t rebates
Check with Country Energy to be sure of the feed in price for electricity and
any other associated costs, such as the replacement of your homes
electricity meter
You should also consider wether or not you might wish to upgrade your
Solar Power installation at a later date and wether your system is capable of
being upgraded
If you think that you might want to upgrade then ensure that both the Solar
Panels and the Inverter are capable of doing so
Solar Power HyperLinks
Federal Government Rebate
http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/pv/
Country Energy
http://www.countryenergy.com.au/SolarEnergy
Clean Energy Council
http://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/
Australian & New Zealand Solar Energy Society Ltd
www.anzses.org
The International Solar Energy Society
http://www.ises.org
Water Tanks, Water Efficient
Washing Machines and Rebates
Since February 1996, Rous Water has been
implementing a range of education programs and
financial incentives that aim to raise community
awareness about using water more efficiently and
reduce the demand for potable (drinking quality)
water in the region.
These programs make up the Rous Regional Demand
Management Strategy that is now a key component of
the future water supply strategy for the region.
Water Tanks and Rous Water
Rebates
Tanks purchased on or after 1 July 2007 are eligible for
the current Rous Water rebates.
Rebate Level
Tank Volume
(litres)
Rebate
1
2,000 – 4,499
$100
2
4,500 – 8,999
$400
3
9,000 or more
$500
Optional 1
Plus $120 if “all” toilets connected
Optional 2
Plus $50 if washing machine
connected
Water Tanks and Rebates Cont’d
State Gov’t
In addition to the Rous Water rebate on tanks,
from 1 July 2007 until 30 June 2009, the NSW
Government is offering rebates on tanks over
2,000 litres in volume.
The State Gov’t Rainwater Tank Rebate is
available for the installation of any new
rainwater storage system in residential
properties in NSW.
Eligibility･The tank(s) must have a minimum
2000-litre capacity and be purchased in full
and installed between 1 July 2007 and 30 June
2009.
Water Tanks and Rebates Cont’d
State Gov’t
Tank(s)
Capacity
Tank
Rebate
Connection Connection Maximum
to Toilet
to Washing Total
Machine
2000 - 3999
litres
$150
$500
$500
$1150
4000 - 6999
litres
$400
$500
$500
$1400
7000 litres
and above
$500
$500
$500
$1500
Note that the State rebate is available to all residents while the
Rous Water rebate is only available to existing town water
customers in the Rous region.
Water Efficient Washing
Machines and Rebates
The NSW State Government is offering a $150 rebate
Terms and Conditions:
•To qualify for the NSW State Government rebate you must purchase a new
washing from 1 August 2008 to 30 June 2010 inclusive
•Purchase the new washing machine for personal use and install the
machine in a residential property in NSW
•Have a minimum 12 month warranty
•Have a minimum 4.5 star rating under the WELS scheme
Water Efficient Washing
Machines and Rebates
To receive the rebate, DECC requires an original tax invoice or
receipt stating:
•date and place of purchase
•make and model of the washing machine purchased
•water efficiency rating of the washing machine(s)
•the receipt number
•the ABN of the store you bought the washing machine from
•that payment has been made in full
•Although every effort will be made to return original receipts, DECC
will not be held responsible for failure to return original receipts.
Applicants are advised to retain a copy of their receipt for warranty
purposes.
Water Efficient Washing
Machines and Rebates
Hyperlinks
NSW State Gov’t Washing Machine Rebates
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/ccfwmr.htm
Household Insulation
& Rebates
Benefits of Insulation:
•Insulation is one of the most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency,
and therefore carbon emissions from your home
•Insulation of the building envelope helps keep the heat in during the winter,
but keeps heat out during the summer to improve comfort and save energy
•Insulation can save between 20% to 40% of heating and cooling energy
costs
•The comfort of your home is improved year round
•It also increases the sound - proofing of your home
Household Insulation
& Rebates
How much is the rebate ?
The NSW State Gov’t rebate covers half the cost of installing ceiling
insulation in your home, up to a maximum of $300
It is available for any type of thermal insulation materials for ceilings,
installed in residential properties in NSW
Eligibility:
The ceiling insulation must
• cover the entire ceiling area
•comply with the Australian Standard for insulation - AS/NZS
4859.1:2002
•be purchased in full, and installed between 1 October 2007 and 30
June 2009
Household Insulation
Rebates and Hyperlinks
NSW State Gov’t Rebates
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/ccfcir.htm