From 1 January 2011, a Plumber cannot install, replace, test, repair or maintain solar and heat pump hot water heater systems within Queensland without holding a Solar and Heat Pump license endorsement.

 

Plumbers who hold a current Solar and Heat Pump Hot Water System Endorsement are only required to submit a Form 4 – Notifiable Minor Work and pay the relevant fee. Inspection of the work is not required under the Form 4 process, however Local Governments may randomly audit completed installations to monitor compliance. For more information please refer to the Department of Local Government and Planning website (formerly the Department of Infrastructure and Planning).

 

 

Where an existing Hot Water Unit is replaced “like for like”,a Form 4 – Notifiable Minor Work, is to be submitted by a licensed Plumber.

 

Where an existing Hot Water Unit is replace by a Gas Hot Water System, it is deemed Regulated work and Council approval must be obtained. For a Compliance Permit to be issued by Council, the following must be submitted:

 

-      Form 1 – Compliance Assessment Application for Plumbing, Drainage and On-Site Sewerage Work (A link to this form is on the Plumbing & Drainage Application page)

-      1 x Plumbing Inspection fee

 

 

-      Relief Drain from Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve to terminate a maximum of 450 mm above ground level (do not discharge onto roof or into eaves gutter).

-      Tempering and control valves shall be accessible from floor or ground level (the necessity to use a ladder to access valves is not considered as “accessible”).

-      These HWU’s are considered to be an uncontrolled heat source and therefore a “high performance” Tempering Valve is recommended.

-      These HWU’s may not be compatible with some pipe material (ie. polyethylene and polybutlene) and require tempering before connection.

-      All Hot Water Lines are to have correct lagging.

 

 

-      A heat trap (with vertical drop of 150 mm) is required within one (1) metre of the outlet pipe and before first branch where the HWU does not have an integral heat trap.

-      All external piping from the HWU to the primary kitchen sink must be thermally insulated with 13mm closed cell polymer or similar material.

 

 

-      Generally to be installed in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations.

 

 

-      High Performance Tempering Valves are required

-      Where specifically manufactured units have integral temperature controls (factory set and require a technician to alter) Tempering Valves may be omitted.

 

 

The State Government has released a rebate to help eligible home owners, landlords or tenants replace their Electric Hot Water Systems with Solar or Heat Pump Hot Water Systems.  Under this scheme, the Australian Government is currently offering rebates to install a Solar or Heat Pump Hot Water System.

 

Electric Hot Water Systems make up approximately 23% of household emissions (excluding the family car). REBS aims to help people save money on their power bills and reduce their carbon emissions.

 

For more details about the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme - Solar Hot Water Rebate (REBS) and full details of eligibility please see the Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency website.

 

If you have any queries about installing a Hot Water System, please contact the Plumbing Section on 1300 242 686 or 07 4982 8378.