NSW Hot Water Rebates — Heat Pump & Solar
Switching to a heat pump or solar hot water system in NSW can attract government incentives that bring the upfront cost right down. We confirm what you're eligible for and handle the paperwork as part of the install.
How the NSW hot water rebate works
The hot water rebate NSW homeowners can claim can take a large chunk off the price of an efficient system — but only on eligible heat pump and solar units, and only when the install is done and documented correctly. We work out exactly what your home qualifies for and apply it so you see the saving come off the quote, not as a refund you chase later.
Two schemes commonly apply. The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) rewards replacing an old electric or gas unit with an efficient one, and the federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) apply to eligible solar and heat pump systems. The value of each shifts with the system, your location and current certificate prices, so we confirm the real figure in your written quote rather than quoting a headline number.
We only recommend a rebate-eligible system where it genuinely suits your household — the incentive is a bonus on the right system, not a reason to fit the wrong one.
See also: see rebates explained · browse eligible heat pumps
Where the money comes from
Most NSW hot water rebates come from one of these two schemes — we handle the claim under whichever applies to your system.
NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS)
A state scheme that rewards replacing an older, less efficient hot water system with an eligible heat pump. The energy savings are converted into certificates, and the value is applied as an upfront discount on your install.
Federal STCs (solar & heat pump)
Small-scale Technology Certificates apply to eligible solar and heat pump hot water systems under the national scheme. The number of certificates — and so the saving — depends on the model and your zone.
Done-for-you claim
You don't lodge anything. Where the incentive is assigned to us, we handle the paperwork and the compliance documentation and pass the saving straight to you on the quote.
Pensioner & household pathways
Some households qualify for additional support. If you're a pensioner or concession-card holder, tell us and we'll check what else may apply before quoting.
Who qualifies — what we check before quoting
Eligibility turns on the system, the property and who installs it. Here's what we confirm up front.
- Replacing an existing electric or gas system
- Choosing an approved, eligible heat pump or solar model
- Installed by an accredited, licensed team (that's us)
- Owner-occupier, landlord or tenant pathway confirmed
- Your NSW location and current certificate value
- Correct compliance documentation lodged with the claim
The rebate comes off your quote up front — you don't pay full price and wait for a refund.
How much is the NSW hot water rebate?
Why we quote your real rebate rather than a headline figure.
It's the first thing everyone asks, and the honest answer is that it varies — by system, by your location and by current certificate prices. For an eligible heat pump replacing an old electric tank, the combined ESS and STC incentives can take a substantial amount off the installed price; for solar, the federal STCs do the heavy lifting. Rather than quote a number that may be out of date by the time you read it, we calculate your exact rebate and show it on the written quote.
Because we're an accredited, licensed installer, we can assign and claim the incentive for you and apply it as an upfront discount. You approve a price that already has the rebate taken off — no forms, no waiting, no chasing a refund.
See also: replace & claim in one visit
NSW hot water rebate questions, answered
The questions people search and ask most about hot water rebates in NSW. If yours isn't here, call and we'll tell you honestly what applies.
Are there government rebates for hot water systems in NSW?
Am I eligible for a hot water rebate?
How much is the rebate worth?
Do I have to claim it myself?
Which systems qualify for a rebate?
Can I get a rebate if my old system still works?
See what you can claim — and replace in one visit
Tell us your current system and your suburb and we'll confirm the NSW rebate you're eligible for and the installed price after it's applied. We can replace and claim in the same visit.