Solar solution to offset energy rises

West Australian
Saturday 23/8/2008 Page: 25

Predictions the Federal Government's recently announced climate change Green Paper could increase the price of energy after 2010 have prompted calls for solar hot water to be more widely used. Romano Bolzon, national business manager for EcoSmart Hot Water, said the Government's green paper into carbon-pollution reduction had forecast a 16 per cent increase in electricity costs and a 9 per cent increase in gas. "The estimated soaring costs of utilities, combined with petrol and interest rate rises, are hitting families hard in the hip pocket," he said.

"All utilities prices in Australia are going to rise, therefore it will be important that more sensible energy use in the home can offset rate rises in gas or electricity." Mr Bolzon said traditional electric hot-water systems were widely considered the highest household emitter of greenhouse gas emissions and consumed up to 35 per cent of domestic household energy use.

By using a solar hot-water system, households could drastically reduce energy bills while producing 75 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions a year than traditional electric water heaters. This was an overall saving of three tonnes of carbon. "Investing in a solar hot-water heater is a cost effective and realistic way to help homeowners reduce or zero out their immediate energy bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and future-proof themselves against further utility rate increases," he said.

Mr Bolzon said various State and Federal Government rebates available made the upfront cost of switching to a solar hot-water system easier to afford. "With energy bills set to rise, this means the return on investment on solar water heaters is even better, and homeowners will ultimately have energy-saving dollars put back into their pockets," he said.

The increase in gas and electricity prices was proposed in the Green Paper to encourage consumers to phase out the use of carbon-producing goods and services. "Fears of global warming and utility rate rises, combined with government rebates on environmental products, should be enough to encourage and change the behaviour of households towards their energy use," Mr Bolzon said.