0480 005 425
If there’s one thing stopping most people from upgrading to an electric hot water heat pump, it’s the cost of installation. We get it: switching off gas sounds great, but once you start getting quotes, it’s easy to hit the brakes.
The second big hurdle? Knowing where to start. Between rebate programs, tech jargon, and installer options, it can feel like you’re trying to learn a new language.
Geelong Sustainability’s Electric Homes Program is here to help with both problems. Too Hot to Handle has teamed up with them to make sure Geelong locals can upgrade to efficient, reliable hot water heat pumps without the overwhelm or the hefty price tag.
Register your interest with the Electric Homes Program, or contact Too Hot to Handle if you’d like to chat it through.
What is the Electric Homes Program?
The Electric Homes Program is a community-led initiative run by Geelong Sustainability that helps households in Geelong and surrounding areas switch from gas to efficient, all-electric appliances. The aim is to reduce emissions and ease the transition to a Net Zero future.
Upgrades to appliances and systems include hot water heat pumps, reverse-cycle heating and cooling, induction cooktops, and solar hot water systems.
The idea is simple: most people want to reduce their energy bills and cut their carbon emissions, but figuring out where to start can be a nightmare. The Electric Homes Program acts like a local guide, connecting you with trusted, vetted suppliers and installers (like Too Hot to Handle), and explaining what rebates you’re eligible for.
Why make the switch to a hot water heat pump?
Hot water makes up around 16% of the energy costs in the average Australian home, and if your system runs on gas or old-school electricity, chances are you’re paying way more than you need to.
That’s where hot water heat pumps can save you. They use up to 75% less energy than traditional gas or electric hot water systems (which can also make them about 75% cheaper to run).
But it’s not just about saving money. Going electric is one of the simplest, most impactful ways to shrink your home’s carbon footprint. Unlike gas systems, heat pumps don’t rely on burning fossil fuels. Every shower, dish load, or laundry cycle powered by a heat pump is one less reason to keep gas flowing into the home. It’s a small switch that supports a bigger shift away from fossil fuels.
And thanks to the Electric Homes Program, making the switch has never been easier.
What rebates are available for hot water heat pumps?
Right now in Victoria, you can stack a few incentives to get the cost of your new system right down:
Solar Victoria Hot Water Rebate
If your combined household taxable income of all owners is less than $210,000 a year, and your property value is under $3 million, you could be eligible for this hot water rebate. This entitles you to:
- $1,000 standard rebate for replacing your old hot water system
- Bonus $400 if you choose a locally made system (like Reclaim, one of our preferred brands for hot water heat pumps)
That’s up to $1,400 off just from Solar Victoria, plus you can stack it with some of the other available rebates.
Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU)
This one isn’t a rebate you apply for; it’s a discount your installer applies directly
- Usually saves you $380–$630, sometimes more if you’re replacing an old electric storage unit
- No income test or application needed
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
An STC is essentially a payment made to you for installing efficient systems like hot water heat pumps. You don’t need to apply. Your installer claims them and takes the amount off your quote.
- Often worth $700–$1,000 depending on the system size and efficiency
All up, these can knock $2,000–$3,500 or more off the total cost of your system. In some cases, especially if you’re replacing an old electric tank, the discounts are even bigger.
How to get started with the Electric Homes Program
Here’s how the process works when you go through the Electric Homes program:
- Register your interest at electrichomes.com.au
- Choose which upgrade you’re interested in (e.g. hot water heat pump)
- You’ll be contacted by a Geelong Sustainability team member to chat about your home and what you need
- We’ll come out, size up your system, and give you a formal quote
- Rebates get applied, and you approve the final install
- We install it. You enjoy lower bills and reliable hot water.
It’s as simple as that.
Ready to make the switch?
We know that upgrading to an electric hot water heat pump can feel like a big leap, especially when you’re staring down a few thousand dollars and a bunch of rebate acronyms. But with the Electric Homes Program and a bit of local know-how, that leap gets a whole lot smaller.
With thousands of dollars in rebates now on offer, there’s never been a better time to get started. If you’ve got questions, get in touch with Too Hot To Handle. We’ll help you get the ball rolling.
