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Inner Western Courier Thursday Not Used Anymore : September 10 2008
36 INNER-WEST WEEKLY, Thursday, September 11, 2008 MB ph 1300 721 946 www.solahart.com.au Conventional water heaters are the single biggest drain on Australian household energy consumption, making a significant impact on your energy bills and the environment. Switching to a solar water heater can save up to 70%* of a NSW household's water heating energy consumption and reduce your CO2 emissions. With the huge government incentives and rebates available, eligible households could replace an electric water heater with a Solahart for almost the same price. *based on Government approved TRYNS modelling www.environastudio.com.au pen in your local area.... Saving water around your home can be easy. Look out for the Smart Approved WaterMark logo on pool covers, garden products, greywater recycling systems, waterless car washes, and more. ph 02 9290 3322 www.smartwatermark.org ph 9906 3664 www.ecodownunder.com Hot water system rebate As water heating is the biggest energy user in most NSW homes, switching from an electric to solar, heat pump or gas hot water system can achieve the biggest energy and emission savings. The following rebates are available: • $300 for a gas hot water system with a 5-star or higher energy rating • up to $1200 for a solar or heat pump hot water system The new hot water system must be purchased in full and installed between 1 October 2007 and 30 June 2009. Ceiling insulation rebate By keeping your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, insulation reduces heating and cooling costs and saves greenhouse gas emissions. A rebate is available to Cover half the cost of installing ceiling insulation in your home, up to a maximum of $300. Washing machine rebate A 4.5 star water efficient washing machine can save up to 100 litres per wash compared to an old top-loader. The rebate provides $150 to buy a new washing machine with a WELS water efficiency rating of 4.5 stars or higher, purchased between g 1 August 2008 and 30 June 2010. Rainwater Tank Rebate • Up to 40% of a household's water use can be replaced with rainwater. By using rainwater every day to flush toilets and wash clothes, you will save more drinking water and make room in the tank to collect more water when it rains. • The rebate provides up to $1500, depending on the size of the tank(s) and whether it is connected to a toilet and/or washing machine • The rebate is available for the installation of any new rainwater storage system with a minimum 2000 litre capacity, purchased in full and installed between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2009 Fridge Buyback Fridges account for almost 15% of a household's energy use, and older second fridges can use up to three times more energy than new models. To book a collection, visit the Fridge Buyback website at www.fridgebuyback.com.au they believe,'' explains Mr Harcus. "While Natural Gas as offered by Jemena is not a 'silver bullet' solution to the challenge for householders and business owners to reduce energy consumption and production of pollutants, it is definitely a bridge to a sustainable future and can easily reduce greenhouse gas emissions." The key to the best decision for the environment is thoroughly researching hot water heaters before deciding to purchase. Further detailed information is available at www.thenaturalchoice.com.au. "In an all-gas supplied home, running costs of a Natural Gas hot water system are equivalent to an off-peak electric storage system, with a third of the carbon emissions," says Mr Harcus. "A dded to cost savings, the cost of installing a Natural Gas hot water system is about half the price of solar electric hot water units on the market.'' Other benefits he identifies are significant cost savings, drastically cutting household contributions to pollution, and that hot water will not run out. Gas-boosted solar hot water units are also included in the Federal Government's rebate scheme. This is also explained at www.yourhome. gov.au, which advises that gas-boosted water heaters are less expensive than solar water heaters. A continuous-flow unit can save you money as it heats only the amount of hot water that you need and literally provide an endless flow of hot water. These are also extremely compact. Alternatively, a mains-pressure storage system will suit most locations, heating water to the temperature you select then storing it in an insulated tank. It offers an efficient recovery rate, so the overall size of the unit you require can be smaller than the equivalent electric unit. Importantly, no-one needs to compromise their comfortable, modern lifestyle by installing the appliance which is more kind to the environment. Details: For further information about Jemena Gas Networks NSW, see www.thenaturalchoice.com.au Greenhouse gases Natural Gas. e Natural C hoice By Jayne Edmonds The largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions from your household could be your electrically-boosted hot water system, even if it uses solar energy. Many environmentally - minded homeowners who are adapting their homes, appliances and behaviour to reduce energy consumption and production of carbon dioxide gas and other waste may actually be supplementing the solar-generated energy which operates their hot water system with coal-fuelled electricity. "Solar is the best choice if boosted by gas, as gas per unit energy produces only one-third to one-quarter the harmful greenhouse gas emissions of coal-fuelled electricity,'' explains Peter Harcus, network development manager of Jemena Gas Networks. Formerly Alinta and originally the Australian Gaslight Company, which have been in operation in Australia for 175 years, Jemena Gas Networks will continue to offer cost-effective and environmentally- beneficial Natural Gas alternatives to private and commercial customers. Natural Gas is a clean, efficient and environmentally - friendly energy solution for the home and for business and can supply a continuous flow of hot water to keep pace with the busiest competing schedules. "Electrically-boosted hot water systems are the largest contributors from that product group to greenhouse gas emissions, whether solar hot water systems or standard electric hot water systems,'' says Mr Harcus. This is also made plain on the Australian Greenhouse Office's website, www. climatechange.com.au. Coal-fuelled electricity generation in Australia currently releases considerable amounts of harmful by-product and identified greenhouse gas, C02, directly into the atmosphere. The website also provides a user-friendly greenhouse gas chart which offers a thorough and simple comparison of hot water appliances. "People need to carefully assess whether their choice of new hot water system will actually reduce carbon emissions as much as PUT IN YOUR POSTCODE AND START ADDING UP THE CASH! The first comprehensive, national and easy-to-use website that calculates the Federal and State Government rebates you may be eligible for when buying an environmentally friendly hot water system! NEW! ? www.hotwaterrebate.com.au HAS BEEN TURNED ON! See who's enjoying eco-friendly hot water and giving away cash! Department of Environment & Climate change NSW Government Rebates This mid-1920s home offers a high thermal mass and good cross-ventilation by design. Its outstanding features are rainwater tanks holding up to a 12,000 litre capacity. No topping up has been needed since installation and it is plumbed to all outlets, except for drinking water. Mains water has FIVE DOCK HOUSE Viewing Information Time: 10.00am -- 4.00pm Date: Sunday, 14 September Address: 1 Kerin Avenue Five Dock Price: $5 per person / per house been reduced from 20,000 litres per quarter to almost none. In seeking to reduce their 'footprint', the owners have installed a 1kW photovoltaic grid interactive system to generate electricity. All food waste and garden clippings are converted to organic fertiliser, or to eggs by chickens.
September 3 2008
September 17 2008