More Energy Efficient And Cool Homes On The Way
Improving home energy efficiency and making homes climate-resilient and comfortable for our renters is a high priority for CEHL.
CEHL welcomes the news of an increase in funding for the Solar Victoria Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades program.
Minister for Solar Homes Lily D’Ambrosio announced today, 11 February 2022, a $12.6 million expansion of the program, which will see 8,400 community housing properties receive new energy-efficient reverse cycle air-conditioners.
The upgrades will help community housing tenants save up to $300 each year on heating costs while keeping them warmer in winter and cooler in summer and help Victoria transition to clean energy economy by lowering carbon emissions.
CEHL Managing Director, Liz Thomas said;
“The extra funds are a major boost to CEHL’s energy-efficient upgrades already underway.
As the largest co-operative housing provider in Australia, it is important that CEHL demonstrates a clear commitment to sustainability and investment in an environmentally sustainable housing portfolio.
The additional funds mean that the full cost of energy-efficient heating and cooling is covered, enabling CEHL and its housing co-operatives to replace inefficient gas heaters and give access to cooling in hundreds of homes.
Solar Victoria is proud to be working with community housing organisations such as CEHL to help low-income and vulnerable Victorians save money on their heating costs, while contributing to Victoria’s transition to a clean energy economy.
This extra funding will help community housing residents stay warmer in winter, and cooler in summer, while saving Community Housing Organisations valuable funds that can be redistributed to other areas of need.
said Solar Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Stan Krpan
CEHL is working with Solar Victoria to streamline the application process and is planning a bulk purchase of systems so more housing co-operatives and renters can benefit.
So far, nine households in Earth and MCSIG co-operatives are in the process of upgrading their home heating and cooling.
“This rebate has helped our housing co-operative to spend our limited maintenance funds on other issues, with the added benefit of helping our members save money on energy bills and making their homes more comfortable.”
Iqbal Mohamed Ariff, Maintenance Director and spokesperson for MSCIG Co-operative
Earth Co-operative have been very proactive in setting goals to reduce energy use and costs across all 20 properties in their co-op. The Home Heating and Cooling rebate has contributed to achieving their goals.
Earth CERC and MCISG CERC are the first two co-operatives to receive funding approval for $2,700 per reverse-cycle air conditioner installed.
Funding details
Supplementary funding of $1,500 is now available! This is in addition to the already available rebate of $1,000 to replace old gas and electric heaters with energy-efficient reverse-cycle air conditioners in homes owned and/or managed by a registered community housing organisation.
To receive the rebates and supplementary funding conditions apply. This includes:
- removal of an existing gas space heater, fixed electric heater or air conditioners that are at least seven years old.
- there is an additional rebate (up to $700) available to help with the costs of decommissioning existing gas appliances and/or the cost of a switchboard upgrade if required for the installation of the new electric reverse-cycle air conditioner.
CERCs are able to apply for this rebate directly with Solar Victoria. CEHL Asset Services will provide the required sign off as the property owner.
Maintenance Directors can contact propertysupport@cehl.com.au for a copy of the Solar Victoria application pack or email the Solar Victoria Community Housing team at cho@team.heatingupgrades.vic.gov.au
This program is available until 2024.
Start planning for an energy efficient heating and cooling upgrade for your CERC properties now.
CEHL will be planning a bulk rollout of upgrades for CMC and Direct tenancies commencing after July 2022.