Water heating is the largest single source of of greenhouse gas emissions from most Australian homes. On average, each electric hot water system produces around four tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. Thats at least two and a half times the greenhouse gases produced by other more efficient technologies and equivalent to running an average sized car for a year.

Almost half of Australian households have electric hot water systems. The Commonwealth and State Governments are working together to phase out these greenhouse intensive hot water systems, commencing during 2010.

The phase out will be implemented in two stages:

Stage 1

Commencing during 2010, the phase out of greenhouse intensive electric hot water systems will be implemented on a state by state basis for new and existing homes where such requirements do not currently exist

For hot water installations in new homes, requirements will be specified in the Building Code of Australia and are to be regulated through state and territory building regulations.

Stage 2

During 2012, the phase out will be extended so that greenhouse intensive electric hot water systems will no longer be available to be installed in:

• any existing detached, terraced,townhouse or hostel
• any new flats and apartments with access to piped gas

For more information on energy efficient and enviromentally friendly hot water systems contact us at info@southernplumbing.com.au or visit the Dux website www.dux.com.au for technical information or www.hotwaterrebate.com.au to calculate up to date savings on our enviromentally friendly hot water units.