Archive for the ‘FAQ’ Category

Here is a short video that shows what to expect during a solar hot water installation.

In the video, we install a split system, where the tank is on the ground.

The installation took about 4 hours, but I’ve cut it down into 90 seconds. It still shows the most important aspects:

• Taking the old tank away
• Placing the new tank
• Connecting the tank to the plumbing in the house
• Running the pipes up to the roof
• Installing the pump
• Mounting the solar panels on the roof
• Running the plumbing inside the roof
• Cleaning up

The only thing it does not show is how the electrician connected the tank. I was up on the roof at that time and missed it. That’s how quick he was…

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Find Out Whether You Can Benefit From Solar Hot Water.

You can get an instant quote right now. There are 23 simple questions that lets our online calculator work out the best solution for your situation. That way you know exactly whether you can benefit from solar hot water.

Start with 1. Find System.

1. Find System

2. Check Rebates

3. Review Options

4. Register Interest

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One of our clients doubted that he could get the solar hot water rebate for his investment property. He took the trouble to call the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. The answer: “No, only the tenant can apply.”

When I heard that, I called the Department as well and sure enough got the same answer.

However, I had a FAQ document produced by the Department. Here is what it says:

Can I get the rebate for a system I install on my investment property?

Yes. The system for which a rebate is being claimed must be installed at a principal place of residence. There is no requirement that this is the applicant’s principal place of residence. An owner may apply for a rebate for more than one property.

The sharing of costs other than the rebate between the landlord and the tenant is a matter for you to
negotiate. Regardless of whether you are an owner or a tenant, all other eligibility requirements must be met.

Vita, the lady I talked to, had to ask her superiors. She called back after half an hour, confirming that in fact, yes, a landlord can apply for and receive the solar hot water rebate.

So if you have any problems, claiming the rebate, do not give up, tell the Department to check its policy more carefully.

You are eligible for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). When you go to the online calculator your answers will help us calculate the amount of RECs you will receive. The $1000 Federal Rebate is only available for households switching from electric hot water to solar hot water, but you will still save money if you switch from gas to solar.

Switching To Solar Saves Money

The average price for a 45 kilo LPG gas bottle ranges from $80 to $125 at the moment. If Queensland follows the trend in other states, LPG prices will keep rising as often as once a month. The most economical choice for you would be to switch to an electric-boosted solar hot water system.

You will also reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by switching to solar. In fact a gas-boosted solar hot water system produces even less greenhouse gas than an electric-boosted solar hot water system.

Switching To Solar Reduces Your Carbon Footprint

If you have access to a natural gas pipeline that goes to your house, we can offer you a quote for a natural gas-boosted solar hot water system. Solar hot water, boosted by natural gas, is the lowest greenhouse gas emitter of all hot water systems.

SolarPay’s online calculator is designed to save you time and money by asking you questions about your house and your hot water needs. The results tell you what system is right for you and how much it will cost, so you do not need a physical inspection. 

When you have ordered the system, our installer makes a time with you to come install the system. If the installation turns out to be more complicated than the original quote suggests, you are not obliged to have the system installed that day. This has not happened yet, thanks to the accuracy of the online calculator.

If you are renting out a property to a tenant, you may be eligible for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and the Federal Rebate.

The REC’s are deducted from the cost of the system, so you do not have to pay upfront. However, you need to apply for the $1000 Federal Government solar hot water rebate directly. It is designed for a principal place of residence. That means you cannot claim it if your property is used for holiday rental.

It us up to you to decide whether you are going to claim the $1,000 yourself or if you want to let your tenant do that.

Why would you let the tenant claim the rebate?

One of the criteria to receive the federal rebate is an income test. If you and your partner have had more than $100,000 taxable income in the last financial year, you will not be eligible for it.

That is the ideal opportunity to pass that rebate on to your tenants and let them claim it. You are not losing out, they are winning and it will be a lot easier to increase their rent by $10 a week.

That increase would repay you for putting solar hot water in. Your tenants are better off, because they receive the full rebate as cash now ($1,000), have the reduced energy costs and only have a rent increase of $500 per year.