Mark Vender
The Victorian government has initiated the next major stage of its program to help low-income households replace old heaters with energy-efficient reverse-cycle systems.
The Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program will help 250,000 low-income and vulnerable households improve their thermal comfort by offering rebates to upgrade gas, electric and wood heaters with energy-efficient reverse-cycle split systems.
Owner-occupier households with an approved concession card or a combined household income of less than $90,000 will be able to select an approved product and apply for a rebate through the program website.
Solar Victoria will provide $1,000 rebates to support all eligible households for the new systems. An additional $200 rebate is available to cap old gas heaters, and households can get $500 to upgrade their electrical switchboard.
The program opened to community housing organisations in May. The government is now working towards opening a rebate stream for renters.
Suppliers in the program must be registered. The first round of expressions of interest for suppliers in the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades program closed on July 1, 2021. The first list of approved suppliers will be released in the coming weeks.
Over time, more suppliers will have the opportunity to become part of the program. To sign up for updates when the program is open for applications, click here.
“The Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program will not only help those who would otherwise struggle to afford a new heating and cooling system, it will also help Victoria reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and make our homes more resilient to climate change,” says Minister for Solar Homes Lily D’Ambrosio.
“I’d like to thank all the retailers, including the Good Guys, who are helping us deliver this program to people who need assistance.”
The Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program has been developed in close partnership with organisations including the Community Housing Industry Association, Victorian Council of Social Services, St Vincent de Paul, Uniting Church and the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
More information, including instructions on how to apply is available at www.heatingupgrades.vic.gov.au
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