A study by the University of Queensland estimates an average 8.9 per cent increase for retail electricity prices in the five eastern states, due to the carbon price.

Based on the legislated $23 per tonne carbon price, the GCI study produced the following estimated increases in retail electricity prices in the five eastern states covered by the National Electricity Market.

The introduction of the carbon price follows a 40 per cent increase in electricity prices over the past five years.

But it’s not just electricity prices that will increase soon; gas will also. According to a SMH article, applications to raise prices by more than 18 per cent are now before the state and federal government.

No better time to look at how installing a Siddons Solarstream can save you up to 75% on hot water costs. Contact us now for more information.

Energy Minister Stephen Robertson confirms Queenslanders have smashed the Sunshine State’s solar energy target more than three years ahead of schedule.

“In April 2010, the Bligh Government set a challenge to double Queensland’s use of solar energy in five years,” he said. “We have not only achieved this target, we have smashed it more than three years early.“Town by town and city by city, Queenslanders have built a Virtual Solar Power Station by installing solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop panels or solar hot water systems.“We have also paid nearly $15.3 million in Solar Hot Water Rebate scheme payments to more than 20,500 recipients towards the cost of replacing their electric hot water system with a solar hot water system or heat pump.”

Mr Robertson said he is touring Queensland over the coming months to engage with industry stakeholders and make further significant solar announcements. I want to see first-hand some of the innovative projects that are helping to create a clean energy future for Queensland,” he said.

Mr Robertson said the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme is one of the most successful schemes of its type in Australia.“To date, more than 100,500 Queenslanders are participating in the scheme and have contributed 224 megawatts of the State’s 226 megawatts of installed solar PV generating capacity. Every time a house, business or government building installs solar, this contributes to building our virtual solar power station.

Mr Robertson said solar is a key part of the Bligh Government’s renewable energy strategy.“Through the Queensland Renewable Energy Plan, we are increasing the use of renewable energy and delivering a clean energy future for Queenslanders.Click here to read the full media release.Contact us to see how installing a Siddons Solarstream contributes to creating a clean Australia.

Green Star is a national, voluntary environmental rating system that evaluates the environmental design and construction of buildings. Green Star was developed for the property industry in order to:

• Establish a common language
• Set a standard of measurement for green buildings
• Promote integrated, whole of building design
• Recognise environmental leadership
• Identify building life-cycle impacts

Although Green Star certification requires a formal process, any project can freely download and use the Green Star tools as guides to track and improve their environmental attributes. Siddons Solarstream can contribute to improving your Green Star rating.For more information on Green Star to their website.

Here’s a German project that suggests, yes it is….Let us know what you think.

Australians have always lived in the lucky country, something which governments and consumers are no longer taking for granted. Instead, we are jointly demanding new standards in energy savings and making green choices for the future of our children.

The hot water energy issue is boiling over – In 2010 the Australian federal, state and territory governments announced a phasing out of greenhouse intensive hot water systems.  Water heating is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions from most Australian homes – equivalent to running an average sized car for a year. This phase-out will result in the reduction of greenhouse gases by about 30 million tonnes over ten years from 2010-2020 and assist householders to save on their energy bills. With almost half of Australian households having electric hot water systems, the demand for green plumbers is on the rise.Heat pump water heaters are the obvious choice to recommend to people wanting to replace electric element water heaters, or for the large population of Australians that are off the gas grid and who live in extreme conditions.

More plumbers are recommending Siddons Solarstream heat pump water heaters – Solarstream heat pumps are the preferred choice for:

• Roofs that are not facing north
• Roofs that have electricity generating panels
• Roofs not designed to handle the huge additional weight of a tank (nearly half a tonne when filled with water)
• Areas prone to torrential rain, hail or high winds where glass panels and tubes are easily damaged (heat pump water heaters actually work better in the wet!)
• Buildings with heritage status and strict renovation restrictions
• Those who simply want an economical and reliable hot water solution

30 years of turning up the heat on innovation – For over 30 years the Siddons family has been at the leading edge of Aussie heat pump ingenuity with patented direct transfer technology and innovative energy saving features. We offer a one stop after sales support and service centre and have dealers spread Australia wide. Solarstream heat pump water heaters are an obvious solar alternative for Australians demanding energy efficient and safe solar hot water alternatives. (The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts also recommends heat pumps as a low emission choice.)More Australian’s are choosing Solarstream heat pump water heaters because they:

• save 75% in hot water energy costs and operate off peak
• are lightweight and safe
• carry an unrivalled 10 year warranty and patented performance
• offer Australian designed and owned, local reliable service
• are eligible for solar rebates of up to $2,400 and are cheaper to install than panels
• keep performing in the rain and cold down to -5°C and in the heat up to 45°C

It’s time you caught the green wave – Are you ready to discover the convection approach to solar hot water? In 2011, Siddons Solarstream, a corporate member of the Master Plumbers Association, is partnering with Australian plumbers who also believe in energy saving technology.

Siddons Solarstream heat pump water heaters are designed to operate all year round producing continuous hot water in both hot and cold climates, in pouring rain, freezing cold, extreme heat and high humidity with no need for back up elements in the cold, risk of boiling water in the heat or dumping water to cool panels down.  Solarstream’s environmentally friendly features set a new standard in green water heating.Incentive packages are available and full training is provided.Contact Siddons on 03 9823 6272 or discover more about Solarstream heat pump water heaters at www.siddonssolarstream.com

There are currently over 7 million separate domestic water heaters installed in Australian houses, and a further 1 million in apartments and other accommodation. More than four million of these dwellings still have electric element hot water heaters. If the power from these four million water heaters could be cut by 75%, Australia would make one huge step forward to meeting its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. [1]

If you thought solar wasn’t for you, was too expensive or just too hard – think again! Heat pumps offer a cost effective solar solution that is also easy and flexible to install Australia wide.With energy and water rates on a constant rise, the latest Solarstream has been designed to operate on night tariffs drawing enough solar energy from the night air down to minus 5°C. You can even use Solarstream to supplement your electricity generating solar panels and reach feed-in tariffs faster.

Siddons Solarstream offers you 5 easy solutions for saving hot water and energy costs:

1. By using up to 75% less power than an electric element water heater, heat pumps are better for your budget and allow you to help our country make a huge step forward to meeting our greenhouse reduction targets.
2. For a four person family in a southern climate, Solarstream will draw less than 3kw of power (three hours run time) per 24 hours averaged over the year, (even less in a Northern climate) efficiently operating for less than 30 cents per day on off-peak power!
3. Solarstream can save you more money by not needing expensive electric boosters during daylight hours at high tariffs or when you could be earning money by feeding your surplus power into the grid.
4. In extreme cold down to -5°C, an exclusive intelligent de-icing system constantly monitors the evaporator in the heat pump to keep it operating on low tariffs even in very cold weather.
5. In extreme heat up to 45°C, Solarstream will fly through the heating cycle in less than two hours then switch off – removing any worry about overheating panels, boiling water or dumping of water to cool panels, and an automatic cut-out is designed to activate if needed.

Built on a true blue Australian heritage – For over 30 years Siddons has been fuelled by the vision that energy saving technology is not only good for the environment but also plain good sense. Siddons is continuing to lead in heat pump technology with a steadfast commitment to continuous improvements. Developments include a new hydrocarbon gas with virtually no global warming potential and a new heat pump with even greater performance in very cold weather.

Overall the vision remains to offer Australians the best energy efficient and reliable hot water system on the market.  Beating rising energy costs is just plain good sense. For solar hot water that flows as sure as night and day call 1300 SID SOL and discover a Solarstream model that is right for you www.siddonssolarstream.com

The Australian summer of 2010/11 has been once of cyclones, floods and colder than usual temperatures. What does this mean for consumers looking for a safe and reliable solar hot water solution for their homes?

A weighty issue – Alarmingly, solar panel hot water systems with roof tank can weigh close to half a tonne when full of water, a major consideration if you live in areas prone to high winds. In addition, glass panels and glass evacuated tubing can be damaged by debris carried by strong winds, falling trees and hail.Solar panels are also prone to overheating in the summer and draw upon your water supply to cool down. This water may be dumped by the unit wasting water and costing you further money.

That’s why heat pump water heaters are fast becoming popular for people concerned about the long term safety and performance of their solar hot water. Solarstream heat pump water heaters:

• will not overheat in summer or freeze up in winter
• do put heavy weight on your roof
• are easily installed at ground level
• perform without boosters
• will save you 75% in hot water energy costs

But don’t you need sun for solar? – The truth is direct radiation from the sun is not the only source of solar energy. Solar energy can also be found in air. A Solarstream heat pump uses advanced patented technology to turn the warmth in the air around you into energy and heat your water using convection.  Convection is an established source of heating and is widely utilised in ducted heated systems. Years ago home owners made the switch from expensive electric radiators to more efficient ducted heating that also relies on convection. Solarstream heat pumps work on a similar principle using far less energy than electric water heaters.

The good news for the southern climates is that Solarstream heat pump water heater will keep performing to produce constant hot water even when it is frosty, cloudy or in the dark of night. Northern humid and monsoonal climates also love Solarstream because heat pumps are even more efficient when there is water in the air.So no matter where you live the result is year round hot water in any climate – night and day.

Heat pumps are safer and cheaper – A Solarstream hot water heat pump does not require a booster and will produce solar hot water economically during the day up to 45°C and at night in temperatures down to -5°C.Working off peak for less than 30 cents a day, a heat pump will save the average family of four up to two thirds of your home’s annual hot water bill. The immediate energy savings together with rebates worth up to $2,400 allow your investment will be recouped in less than two years.

Installation is easy and will typically be less than $700, half the cost of installing panels on your roof and ascetically more pleasing. Solarstream is covered by a full 10 year warranty on the stainless steel hot water tank with 4 year heat pump warranty and is eligible for all state and federal rebates.

Solar hot water, Top End to Tassie, WA to Brissie as sure as night and day – Siddons believe in quality and for 30 years have been producing hot water heat pump units built to last in Australian conditions. Solarstream is an economical solar hot water solution that is both safe and reliable all year round – north or south, east or west and everywhere in between.

For solar hot water that flows as sure as night and day call 1300 SID SOL or discover a Solarstream model that is right for you www.siddonssolarstream.com

The Prime Minister announced on 27th January 2011 that as part of the response to the flood disaster the Government will redirect projected surplus funding from this program. These surplus funds have become available as a result of lower than anticipated levels of demand for the Rebate in 2010. Enough money remains within the program to support current rebate demand levels.

All REBS – Solar Hot Water Rebate applications will continue be processed as normal. Depending on future levels of demand, eligible households will still be able to access the Rebate in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 Financial Years.

The Australian and state and territory governments are working together to phase-out greenhouse intensive hot water systems, commencing during 2010. This phase-out will result in the reduction of greenhouse gases by about 30 million tonnes over ten years from 2010-2020 and assist householders to save money on their electricity bills.

Water heating is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions from most Australian homes. On average, each electric hot water system produces around four tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. That’s 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 and territory governments are working together to phase-out these greenhouse intensive hot water systems, commencing during 2010. This phase-out will result in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of almost 30 million tonnes over the next ten years. The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts suggests Heat Pumps as a low emission choice.

For more information please visit their website.