GOVERNMENT ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
SWITCHING TO LOW EMISSION HOT WATER SYSTEMS
The Australian, state and territory governments are now working together to phase out greenhouse intensive hot water systems, commencing during 2010. This phase out will result in the reduction of greenhouse gases by over 30 million tonnes over ten years from 2010-2020.
Each electric hot water system produces around four tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. That's at least 2.5 times the greenhouse gases produced by other more efficient technologies and equivalent to running an average sized car for a year.
To help the 50 per cent of Australian households using electric hot water systems to reduce their energy bills and Australia's greenhouse emissions, the Australian Government has committed to:
- working with state and territory governments to phase out greenhouse intensive hot water systems, commencing in 2010; and
- offering a rebate of up to $1,600 for eligible households to install solar hot water or heat pump systems.
- Fact sheet - Phase out of greenhouse intensive hot water systems
Electric hot water systems produce three times the greenhouse gas emissions of other more efficient systems and with around 50 per cent of Australian households having electric hot water systems, there are large energy and greenhouse emission savings to be made.
What are the low emission hot water system alternatives?
Builders of new houses and households replacing an existing hot water system will be able to choose from a range of low emission alternatives to suit their home, climate and budget including:
- heat pump,
- gas, and
- solar (electric or gas boosted)
How will the government phase out greenhouse intensive hot water systems?
The phase out will be implemented in two stages:
During 2010, electric hot water systems will no longer be able to be installed in:
- any new detached, terraced and town houses; and
- any existing detached, terraced and town houses where there is access to piped natural gas, except where an exemption applies.
During 2012, electric hot water systems will no longer be able to be installed in:
- any existing detached, terraced and town houses; and
- any new flats and apartments with access to piped gas except where an exemption applies.
Exemptions to the program are yet to be finalised and are still under investigation. These decisions will be based on identifying situations where appropriate alternative technologies are not yet available or where there are significant additional costs.
Who will the program apply to?
The phase out will apply in all states and territories except where the emissions intensity of the public electricity supply is low (Tasmania).
Do I have to replace my hot water system immediately?
No, there will be no requirement to replace a working electric storage hot water system. You will only have to purchase a low emission hot water system when your current unit breaks down or is replaced.
If I have access to piped natural gas, am I limited to installing a gas hot water system?
No, you are free to choose the low emission alternative that best suits your home, your climate and your budget.
Are there big greenhouse gas savings to be made?
Yes. Hot water systems account for around 23 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions from the average home. By phasing out the most inefficient systems, this program will save over 30 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over ten years. This is the equivalent of taking more than 750,000 cars off the road every year for ten years.
Will I save money on my energy bills?
Yes, depending on the technology you install. A low emission hot water system, could save a family up to $700 off electricity bills each year. The more efficient the system, the greater the savings.
How should I dispose of my old hot water system?
Much of the old hot water systems can be recycled as scrap metal. Ask your installer how they dispose of old systems.
PHASE-OUT OF INEFFICIENT INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS
Working with the states and territories, the Australian Government will gradually phase out all inefficient incandescent light bulbs.
The first stage of the phase-out plan was the introduction of an import restriction on inefficient incandescent light bulbs used for general purposes from 1 February 2009.
The phase-out will deliver considerable savings to the environment and the economy. Across the country, the move to more efficient lighting, such as CFLs, is expected to save around 28 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2020. This is equivalent to permanently decommissioning a small coal-fired power station or taking more than 500,000 cars off the road permanently. It is expected to result in savings to the Australian economy of around $380 million per year by 2020 and result in net savings of more than $50 per year for each household that changes all of its incandescent light globes to CFLs.
Why is the Australian Government phasing out inefficient incandescent light bulbs?
Lighting represents around 12 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions from households, and around 25 per cent of emissions from the commercial sector. The Australian Government recognises that this is an area where energy savings can be easily made by replacing inefficient incandescent lights with more cost-effective and energy efficient alternatives.
These energy efficient alternatives include compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which use only 20 per cent of the electricity to produce the same amount of light. Using less energy means reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower electricity bills - benefits to both the environment and individuals.
What is the total greenhouse benefit of the phase-out?
It is expected that phasing-out inefficient incandescent light bulbs will reduce Australia's greenhouse emissions by 28 million tonnes between 2008 and 2020. This is equivalent to permanently decommissioning a small coal-fired power station or taking more than 500,000 cars off the road permanently.
How much energy does it take to produce a CFL compared to a traditional incandescent light bulb?
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are technically more complex systems and are more energy intensive to produce, however a recent life cycle analysis which compared a CFL and an equivalent incandescent bulb concluded that the energy used to manufacture and transport the bulbs was only about 2 per cent of the energy used during their lives. It also considered other environmental impacts but concluded that the impact due to energy use dominated all other impacts - compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) being by far the more energy efficient alternative.
How will the phase-out benefit Australian households?
Changing over to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) will on average save households around $50 per year on electricity bills, and is an opportunity for everyone to reduce their carbon emissions, and be part of the solution to global warming.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) may cost more per lamp ($3 to $6) but this extra initial cost will be offset many times through reduced energy use. In areas where lights are used a lot, savings from reduced electricity bills will cover the initial purchase within a few months.
It is important to note that compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are not being mandated. More efficient forms of incandescent lighting will continue to be available, such as mains voltage halogen lamps. Mains voltage halogens have a very similar appearance to the traditional incandescent light bulb, can be used in all of the same fittings, and are readily available. The halogen gas they contain allows them to operate at a higher temperature, which results in higher efficiency levels. However, mains voltage halogens are not as energy efficient as CFL alternatives.
Specialist incandescent lighting - for example, oven lights or lights used in specific medical applications - will not be phased out until cost-effective, efficient alternatives are available.