| Environment or Green issues are holding more | | | | insulation has been extended to December 31, |
| political sway every year and the major parties | | | | 2011. There are also rebates available for solar |
| are realising that paying attention to voters' | | | | hot water and rainwater tanks. There are also |
| desires for a more sustainable future is in their | | | | rebates available through the Solar Homes and |
| best interest. The general public and the | | | | Communities Plan on small scale PV, wind and |
| government are starting to embrace the | | | | hydro electricity systems for households and small |
| opportunity to reduce impact on the environment | | | | businesses. |
| whilst mobilising a huge workforce more reliant on | | | | On top of all this the NSW government has just |
| people than machinery. What better place to start | | | | started the Gross Feed in Tariff for small scale |
| than with individuals. | | | | solar and wind energy systems. This means that |
| The Green Loans program which commenced on | | | | householders and small businesses installing a solar |
| July 1 2009, is a federal government initiative | | | | PV or wind system connected to the grid will be |
| aimed at educating and assisting Australian | | | | paid at a rate of sixty cents per kilowatt hour |
| householders in making their homes more | | | | (kWh) for every kWh generated. This is a rate |
| sustainable and more comfortable. How to reduce | | | | more than twice what most people are currently |
| energy costs, water costs and greenhouse gas | | | | paying for coal fired power. With an interest free |
| (GHG) emissions are also a key aspect of the | | | | loan, the Solar Credits rebate and the Gross Feed |
| program. In combination with other Federal | | | | in Tariff, such a system will pay for itself in a |
| Government and State Government initiatives | | | | couple of years and everything from then on will |
| there are a lot of opportunities for householders | | | | be pure green profit so to speak. |
| to save money and reduce their reliance on fossil | | | | With all the rebates and assistance there has |
| fuel based energy. | | | | never been a better time to make your home |
| Unlike some government initiatives which seem to | | | | more efficient, cheaper to run and to minimise |
| target traditional families, the Green Loans | | | | your GHG emissions. Booking your free HAS is a |
| program is available to all Australian householders | | | | great place to start. |
| whatever their orientation or home structure. | | | | Unfortunately though with all these funds available |
| There are two main components to the Green | | | | there are some operators who are in it strictly |
| Loans program. The first is the Home | | | | for the money. The insulation scheme has had |
| Sustainability Assessment Scheme (HSAS) and | | | | some real problems with sub standard installations |
| the second is the Green Loans subsidy. | | | | and a number of companies have been taken off |
| Homeowners and renters in all types of residential | | | | the list of approved installers as a result. The |
| dwelling are eligible so long as the householder | | | | Green Loans program has attracted a lot of |
| booking the assessment owns the home or is on | | | | assessors working for companies whose primary |
| the lease (for renters only), is an Australian citizen | | | | aim is to encourage you to take up the insulation |
| and earns less than $250,000 per annum. | | | | and solar rebates using them as installers. |
| The Home Sustainability Assessment (HSA) is a | | | | Assessments from these companies will probably |
| free comprehensive home assessment | | | | leave you feeling as though you haven't learned |
| performed by an independent expert assessor | | | | much at all. This is a shame as a lot of people |
| and is the first step in accessing a range of | | | | such as myself are passionate about sustainable |
| rebates aimed at reducing environmental impact | | | | living and have tried to practice these principles in |
| and building a cleaner more efficient future. The | | | | all areas of our lives for a long time. It is fantastic |
| assessment identifies where the householder can | | | | that such people can earn money by doing what |
| reduce their energy and water bills, increase the | | | | they love, developing better communities through |
| comfort of their home and help reduce damaging | | | | healthier homes and further education. |
| carbon pollution from GHG emissions. | | | | The Home Sustainability Assessors are supposed |
| During the assessment the assessor should also | | | | to be independent meaning they are contractually |
| give advice and answer questions relating to the | | | | obliged not to sell you anything such as insulation |
| householders areas of interest and specific | | | | or solar installation services during the assessment. |
| environmental concerns. Following the assessment | | | | During the assessment assessors are only able to |
| the data collected is then uploaded by the | | | | provide additional services if: |
| assessor onto the Green Loans website and a | | | | - They have prior written consent from the |
| report is generated. | | | | government department to do so, |
| In approximately two weeks the householder will | | | | - If the service is free to you, |
| receive the report indicating in which areas the | | | | - If it is relevant to the assessment, |
| home is efficient and in which areas | | | | - If it does not detract from the original service, |
| improvements can be made. From this report a | | | | and |
| list of specific recommendations are made for | | | | - If it is not conditional upon a commercial activity. |
| improving the homes efficiency. Some of these | | | | They are supposed to wait seven days before |
| recommendations may include: buying a new | | | | contacting you to discuss the possibility of going |
| energy efficient fridge, washing machine or dryer; | | | | forward with any further options. |
| purchasing a solar hot water system; installing a | | | | The best assessors will be able to give you sound |
| rainwater tank; buying a hydronic heater, | | | | advice on minimising the environmental impact |
| purchasing external shading devices or internal | | | | resulting from any area of your home, personal |
| blinds; installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and | | | | or work life. They will follow up with you at a |
| installing thermal insulation in the roof. | | | | later date and if appropriate will recommend |
| The householder can then apply for a Green Loan | | | | reputable companies that can provide you with |
| to install any of the recommendations listed in the | | | | quality products and expert assistance in applying |
| report. The Green Loan is up to $10,000, interest | | | | for the various solar and insulation rebates you |
| free for four years. The loan is from an approved | | | | may be eligible for. |
| financial institution and the government pays the | | | | By choosing an assessor who is working in this |
| interest. There is no obligation to apply for the | | | | field to help Australian people contribute to their |
| Green Loan and you can only purchase items | | | | community and achieve a more sustainable |
| from the list of recommendations. Whether you | | | | lifestyle you will gain all the benefits and education |
| are a homeowner or a renter there will be | | | | these schemes are designed to provide. You will |
| something suitable on the list that will lower your | | | | also gain valuable information about how to make |
| environmental footprint. | | | | more sustainable choices in the future. |
| The $1,200 Federal Government rebate for ceiling | | | | |