Frequently asked questions

Property owners can arrange for any residential property, that is a primary residence (not a holiday home), in Mornington Peninsula Shire to have energy upgrades undertaken through the program. Register for free advice and no obligation quotes at Home Energy Upgrades.

For tenanted properties, the property owner will need to register and arrange the upgrades.

If you are the owner of a rental property in Mornington Peninsula, you may obtain quotes and have any of the Home Energy Upgrade products supplied and installed by our suppliers.

Council rebates are available for properties where a long fixed-term (more than 5 year) lease is in place with a tenant. The rental property owner needs to apply (not the tenant).

If you are a tenant, let your rental property owner know that they can improve their property through quality, well-priced energy upgrades available via the Home Energy Upgrades program. The rental property owner will need to complete the registration form.

All rental properties must have an efficient fixed heater (not portable) in good working order in the main living area. From 1 March 2027, new standards will require insulation and draught proofing for properties under a new lease.

There are also Victorian Government solar rebates for rental properties.

All rental properties must have an efficient fixed heater (not portable) in good working order in the main living area. For rental agreements entered into from 29 March 2023, that heater must be an energy-efficient fixed heater.

Further energy efficiency standards for rental properties will come into effect in 2027:

• From 1 March 2027, heating and hot water systems that reach end of life must be replaced with efficient electric systems (hot water heat pumps or reverse cycle air-conditioners RCAC). At the start of a new lease (or conversion to a periodic lease) 4-star showerhead/s and cooling in the main living area must be installed.
• From 1 March 2027, at the start of a new lease (or conversion to a periodic lease), insulation must be installed in ceiling spaces where no insulation is present by an accredited installer.
• From 1 July 2027, insulation must be installed by an accredited installer where no insulation is present at the start of a new lease (or conversion to a periodic lease), external doors, windows and wall vents must have draught proofing installed.
• From 1 July 2030, efficient electric cooling must be installed in the main living area of all rental homes, irrespective of whether a new lease has been entered into.

Read more at Energy efficiency for rental properties in Victoria.

Make the most of these offers and be prepared for the new regulations.

We publish the base prices of all available home energy upgrades, including applicable rebates. Our vetted suppliers provide quotes specific to your needs, for example, sizing hot water systems, and heating and cooling systems to suit your needs. The final quoted cost depends on specific circumstances, such as any switchboard upgrades, additional wiring and rebates applied. Free, no obligation quotes will detail the final cost for your install.

There are a range of Australian Government and Victorian Government rebates, discounts and loans available to help you create an energy efficient home. In addition, Mornington Peninsula Shire offers rebates to eligible Pension Concession card and Veterans’ Affairs card holders who have home energy upgrade products supplied and installed in their primary residence in Mornington Peninsula through this program.

The rebates and discounts available across the home energy upgrade products vary, and some have specific eligibility criteria. See further information on rebates and discounts or each home energy product.

Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) and the suppliers can assist you to access applicable rebates, discounts and loans.

Our supplier, All Electric Homes, will assist you to access applicable state and federal government rebates. Eligibility for some rebates - such as the Solar Victoria solar PV rebate, the optional no-interest loan, and the Solar Victoria hot water rebate - depends on household criteria including income and property value.

Other rebates (or financial incentives/discounts) are based on the installation of efficient technologies. These include the federal government’s Small Scale Technology certificates (STCs) for solar PV systems and solar batteries, and the Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) through the state government’s Victorian Energy Upgrades program.

If you indicate to All Electric Homes that you wish to take up all applicable rebates and loans, your quote will reflect these as itemised discounts, reducing your upfront cost. Quotes are prepared on the assumption that you will complete the Solar Victoria applications for the relevant rebates and opt in to the no-interest loan. Quoted prices for solar PV and batteries will reflect the value of STCs, while quoted prices for hot water systems and reverse cycle air conditioning will factor in the value of VEECs.

If you choose not to apply for the Solar Victoria rebate and/or loan before installation, or do not sign the STC and/or VEEC Assignment Forms on the day of installation, you will be responsible for paying the cost difference.

Please contact All Electric Homes or YEF for further information on rebates.

When you register for the program, if you know which home energy upgrades you are interested in, you can select those to receive free no obligation quote(s) from All Electric Homes.  After you receive the quotes, you can discuss them with the supplier or YEF to decide which upgrades are best for your home.

If you don’t know which home energy upgrades would be best to save energy and improve home comfort, Yarra Energy Foundation can provide free initial advice. The YEF team is here to help you understand your options and make informed decisions that suit your needs. You can call YEF on (03) 7037 6040.

Savings will vary for each household. Speak to All Electric Homes or YEF about which upgrades are likely to provide the greatest savings.

Average savings provided by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action:

Rooftop Solar: Save up to $1,000 a year when you use solar energy to run appliances and avoid retail electricity costs.

Energy-efficient hot water systems: Save up to $400 a year when you install an energy efficient hot water system to replace a gas system.

Reverse cycle air-conditioners: Save up to $460 a year when you replace a gas heater or up to $1,140 when you replace a gas ducted heater.

Induction cooktops: Save up to $360 a year in supply charges if cooking is your last gas appliance and you disconnect from gas.

If you decide to proceed with the supplier’s quote, that supplier is responsible for the installation, services, products, and warranties, subject to any terms and conditions provided with your quote.

Yarra Energy Foundation and Mornington Peninsula Shire are not responsible for the supply and installation of upgrades but are available to respond to any questions you may have about the program.

If you have registered your interest and received a quote(s), but have changed your mind, you have no obligation to proceed with installation.

You can choose to proceed to installation by accepting a quote from a supplier, along with any terms and conditions provided with the quote, and paying a deposit if required. The arrangement will be with the supplier, All Electric Homes, and not with Yarra Energy Foundation or Mornington Peninsula Shire.

If you change your mind after accepting a quote from a supplier, you will need to consider any terms and conditions provided with the quote and liaise with the supplier. Yarra Energy Foundation and Mornington Peninsula Shire are not responsible for these matters.

In the first instance, you should discuss your concerns directly with the supplier and they will seek to resolve any issues. While Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) is not party to your accepted quote with a supplier, if there are issues that are unresolved, please contact YEF for assistance.

The information you provide in the registration form is submitted to Yarra Energy Foundation, Mornington Peninsula Shire, and with your consent, will be shared with the following parties:

• All Electric Homes for solar, battery, induction cooktops, reverse cycle heating and cooling and heat pump hot water systems. All Electric Homes will only provide you with information about products and services you have selected on the registration form or asked for.

Your personal information will be managed in accordance with our privacy policy and will not be disclosed to any other third party without your consent, unless required or authorised by law. You can contact Yarra Energy Foundation for access to and/or amendment of the information recorded.

Mornington Peninsula Shire engaged the Yarra Energy Foundation as an independent partner to help deliver the Home Energy Upgrades program. Through a rigorous evaluation process, YEF has appointed a reputable home energy upgrade supplier with good quality, well-priced products. YEF is here to provide independent advice to residents as they embark on their home energy upgrades journey.

To select the preferred supplier, Yarra Energy Foundation considered the following:

• Capacity and expertise

• Product quality and warranties

• Customer service

• Price and value for money

In addition, the following requirements were evaluated:

• Supplier insurances

• Professional reference checks and customer reviews

• Industry accreditations and memberships

• Staff qualifications and training

• Environmental management and safety

Load shifting is about maximising your bill savings by adjusting your energy usage patterns. By having electric appliances like your hot water system, dishwasher and washing machine running when your solar panels are generating electricity or when grid-supplied energy is cheaper, you can lower your energy bills.

A Heritage Overlay does not necessarily prevent the installation of solar PV or other works where a structure would be visible from the street, but you may need a planning permit first. Please email Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Statutory Planning team at heritage@mornpen.vic.gov.au for advice. Find out whether your property is affected by a Heritage Overlay.