Community Energy & Water Efficiency Information Session

1. Community Energy & Water Efficiency Information Session

2. 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.

3. Example www.ballina.nsw.gov.au

4. 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

5. 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)

6. The Reasons for RetrofittingThe 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

7. 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

8. Hot Water Environmental Comparison

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Typical Thermosiphon System

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. Evacuated Glass Tubes:

16. Evacuated Glass Tubes:

17. Open Loop Systems: Open Loop System- Suitablefor 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.

18. 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.

19. 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

20. Boosting Options: cont’ • Gas or LPG • In tank or in line booster • Adjustable Thermostat • In Line is an additional product to purchase and maintain

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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.

25. Rebates: Federal Gov’t Up to $1000 Eligibility Requirements Full details of eligibility are provided in the guidelines in the Applicant Information Booklet available on-line. 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.

26. 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)

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. Solar Hot Water Hyperlinks AS/NZS 2712:2007 Standards Australia Rebates and Discounts Federal Government State Government Ballina Shire Council Solar Hot Water Program

30. 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 NSWApprox 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

31. 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

32. 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.

33. How Does Solar Power Work?

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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 Strategythat is now a key component of the future water supply strategy for the region.

39. Water Tanks and Rous Water Rebates Tanks purchased on or after 1 July 2007 are eligible for the current Rous Water rebates.

40. Water Tanks and Rebates Cont’dState 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.

41. Water Tanks and Rebates Cont’dState Gov’t 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.

42. 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

43. 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.

44. Water Efficient Washing Machines and RebatesHyperlinks NSW State Gov’t Washing Machine Rebates http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/ccfwmr.htm

45. 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

46. 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

47. Household Insulation Rebates and Hyperlinks NSW State Gov’t Rebates http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/ccfcir.htm