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| Image: Jonathan Borba/pexels.com |
Chill those bills this winter with Victoria government aircon rebates.
Australian homeowners spend 20 to 25 percent of their total energy cost on space heating and cooling. Here in Victoria, on average, a household spends 1/3rd of the total energy expenses on space heating and cooling in a year.
Victorian Government Split System AC Rebate
Ever-rising energy costs and extreme weather events (such as Victorian bushfires and Western Australian Heatwaves) are causing the energy bills of Australian households and businesses to soar through the roof.
To mitigate its impact on the household budget and operational expenses of the businesses, the Victorian government is offering rebates on the replacement of old (and inefficient):
* Ducted gas heater
* Non-ducted gas heater
* Electric resistance heater
* Hard-wired electric room heater
* Gas/LPG room heater
* Central Resistance/Slab heater
* Or a wood-fired room heater
With a new highly energy-efficient heat pump-based space heating and cooling system aka split system air-conditioning system. Rebates are also being offered for installing a new space heating and cooling system.
Air-conditioners (heating and cooling) rebates in Victoria
The heating and cooling system (aka reverse cycle air-conditioners or heat pump powered air-conditioner) rebates/discounts are available under activity 6 of the Victorian Energy Upgrades (Heating & Cooling Rebates) Program. To be eligible for the rebates, you must replace (or install a new one) an old air-con with an air-conditioner that is listed in the VEU program registry.
Under the program, three types of air conditioning systems are available:
* Single-split units
* Multi-split units
* VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) units
What is the rebate amount?
It ranges from $150 to $9,000, depending upon the following factors:
* Air-conditioner brand/model
* Number of indoor units of the split system
* Energy certificate price at the time of installation
* Your home/workplace location
* Installation costs
* Rebate application processing & administrative costs.
Who are eligible for split system aircon rebates?
All Victorian state residents (households and businesses) are eligible to apply for the heating and cooling rebates under the VEU program. Tenants are also eligible for heating and cooling rebates. The renters need to work out the key aspects — like installation cost, schedule, and documentation — with their homeowners. Here are the additional conditions for Victoria aircon rebates:
* Applicants should be owners of the home for more than 2 years
* The existing system must be connected to the electric circuit of the building
How to get the air-con upgrade?
Getting an air-conditioner upgrade under the VEU program is straightforward. Simply select a right-sized reverse air-conditioning unit from the VEU program registry and engage an accredited installer. The installer will quote you a discount on the product you selected. If you agree to the offer, the installer will schedule the installation of the reverse/heat pump-based air-conditioning system and carry out the installation on the scheduled date and time.
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Why do we recommend the air-conditioner upgrade?
Replacing the old electric/gas/wood-fired heating system with a heat pump-powered heating and cooling system brings a host of benefits to businesses and homeowners, such as:
* Regulation of indoor temperature for year-round comfort.
* Reduce your energy bills on heating and cooling by 50-70%.
* Reduced carbon emissions.
* Twin functionality (a single heat pump works for the dual function of heating/cooling your home/workplace).
* Government rebates.
* Social and health benefits.
Types of reverse cycle air conditioners offered under the VEU Program
Four types of air conditioners are being offered under the heating and cooling rebate program:
Single split: It has a single outdoor heat exchanger unit connected to a single indoor unit. These air-conditioning systems are suitable for heating/cooling a single room or space.
Multi-split: These systems have one outdoor heat exchanger unit connected to multiple indoor (which can be multiple floor-standing units and ceiling units) units. Such systems are space and cost-efficient, as they require only one outdoor unit to heat different kinds of spaces. Moreover, with a multi-split air conditioning system, temperature zones can be created to serve the different air-conditioning needs of different spaces within your home.
Ducted: Unlike in multi-split systems where multiple indoor units are visible (on wall/ceiling or floor), in ducted air-conditioning systems, the single indoor fan coil unit is employed. It is not visible as it is installed in the ceiling cavity. The indoor unit delivers heated/cooled air to different rooms/spaces of your home through ducts and ceiling-mounted diffusers. The circulation of air (and its temperature) can be controlled through a wall-mounted zone controller or a phone application. All spaces are air-conditioned uniformly in a ducted AC system.
Ductless: Indoor units are installed in different spaces. Users have the option to set a different temperature set point and the spaces are heated/cooled differently as per the user preferences.
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| Image: Joaquin Carfagna/pexels.com |
Things to consider before getting an air-con upgrade
There are about 900 air-conditioning units listed in the VEU heating and cooling rebate program product registry. Before zeroing in on a unit, consider the following factors:
1. Air conditioning unit type (single split, multi-split, or ducted). Consider the unit type that can meet your air conditioning needs.
2. Size: Sizing is crucial. The air-conditioners are sized in KW (kilowatts). An oversized unit cools poorly and wastes energy, while an undersized one won't cool effectively.
3. Heating and cooling operating range.
4. Efficiency: The energy efficiency of an air conditioner is measured in COP (Coefficient of Performance) and EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio). The higher the COP and EER numbers are, the higher the energy efficiency the unit will deliver.
5. Noise level.
6. Warranty
7. Environmental Impact: Look for an air-conditioning unit that uses low GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerant.
8. Rebate amount.
How to select the right-sized air conditioner?
To select the right-sized heating and cooling system from the 900 odd air-conditioning units listed in the VEU product registry, you need to do thorough research.
There are several factors that influence what size air-conditioning system would meet your heating and cooling needs. The most significant factors are:
Room space: Large spaces require bigger air-conditioning units.
Climate: Some areas (like Mildura, Swan Hill, Buloke, Hindmarsh, and Moria) fall under climate zone 4. Regions under climate zone 4 have hotter and drier summers and cooler winters. Such places require larger air-conditioning systems.
Number of people: Larger households require larger air conditioning units as more people generate more heat.
Ceiling height: Spaces with higher ceilings require more powerful aircon units to maintain the set temperature.
Insulation: A well-insulated space can be air-conditioned by a smaller unit.
Apart from these factors, there are various others that will determine the size-suitability of the dual-use (heating + cooling) systems for your household or workplace.
We recommend consulting a licensed and experienced accredited installer to know the size-suitability of the aircon unit.
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