We have made changes to our requirements and product criteria in relation to water heating and space heating activities under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
Changes to requirements for water heating and space heating activities
11 November 2021
Following stakeholder feedback, we have made changes to our requirements and product criteria in relation to water heating and space heating activities under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
Update to licensing requirement for water heating activities
We have amended our licensing requirements for our water heating activities, to allow registered plumbers to decommission products where no wiring work is required. We have also amended our evidence requirements to reflect this by allowing decommissioning details to be captured, either in the Victorian Building Authority Compliance Certificate or Certificate of Electrical Safety.
This amendment recognises that there are circumstances where an electrician may not be required to decommission, and provides installers with greater flexibility in undertaking the activity in compliance with program requirements.
Update to eligible environment for space heating activity scenarios 10A(iv) and 10A(v)
We have clarified the eligible environment for the following two activity scenarios to require the decommissioning of two separate products (that is, a refrigerative air conditioner and a room heater) where the air conditioner was primarily or exclusively used for cooling:
- 10A(iv) - replacing a refrigerative air conditioner and a hard wired room heater with a room air-to-air heat pump
- 10A(v) - replacing a refrigerative air conditioner and a plug-in room heater with a room air-to-air heat pump.
Update to product criteria for space heating activity scenarios 10A(iii) and 10A(v)
We have updated the product criteria in our activity guide for below activity scenarios to give more clarify to industry:
- 10A(iii) - replacing a plug-in electric heater or wood-fired room heater with a room air-to-air heat pump
- 10A(v) - replacing a refrigerative air conditioner and a plug-in room heater with a room air-to-air heat pump.
The previous criteria reflected the efficiency requirements for product category 10A as listed in table 10.2 of the Victorian Energy Upgrades Specifications 2018.
We have now updated the product criteria in the activity guide for the above two activity scenarios to reflect the fact that the specifications do not award certificates for installation of room air-to-air heat pumps with an Annualised Coefficient of Performance (ACOP) of less than 4.2 (as provided for by conditions listed with tables 10.6 and 10.8 of the specifications).
Update to decommissioning requirements for wood fire heaters under activity scenarios 9A(iii) and 10A(iii)
We sought feedback from stakeholders in September 2021 on proposed requirements to demonstrate safe decommissioning of wood-fired room heaters and fireplaces under activity scenarios 9A(iii) and 10A(iii).
We received one submission that supported the need for full disassembly and removal of the unit to ensure the long-term safety of residents.
We have updated our licensing and evidence requirements in the activity guide for activity scenarios 9A(ii) and 10A(iii) to provide for safe decommissioning of wood-fired room heaters and fireplaces in accordance with requirements outlined in the consultation paper.
Updated guidance documents
We have published an updated activity guide and product application guide to reflect the above changes on our website.
Where to get help
If you have any questions or feedback regarding this program update, please contact Victorian Energy Upgrades Support on (03) 9032 1310 or at veu@esc.vic.gov.au.