Group in deal on solar households

Alex de Vos
A local environmental group has launched a campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with savings for households.
Geelong Sustainability Group’s Julia Brangwyn said the organisation kicked started the campaign last week with a series of meetings encouraging residents to install solar water heaters.
“By installing a solar water heater you will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also save up to 90 per cent of your water heating costs,” Ms Brangwyn said.
The environment group had negotiated a 15 per cent discount on Apricus solar hot water heaters for Geelong Sustainability members.
“We’re trying to make it easier for people to access solar hot water systems,” Ms Brangwyn said.
“The Apricus solar hot water system was identified by Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions as their best choice for solar hot water heaters. The system is 40 per cent more efficient than a comparable flat-plat collector as well as boasting low greenhouse gas emissions.”
Electric hot water systems generate about 40 per cent of household electricity bills, Ms Brangwyn said.
Environmentalists claim installing solar-powered hot water systems in homes is the equivalent of taking a small car off the road.
Ms Brangwyn said the heaters were priced between $1000 and $3500.
“The price is totally dependent on the type of system you install – they can be gas or electric,” she said.
Households that installed solar hot water heaters were also eligible for government rebates, Ms Brangwyn said.
“Adding to the existing rebates, our discount should give us all a further incentive to do something to help reduce our impact on the planet.”
Ms Brangwyn said the campaign would also target schools and local food producers.