Page 4431 - Week 12 - Thursday, 24 October 2019
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Answers to questions
Public housing—hot water systems
(Question No 2621)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, upon notice, on 2 August 2019:
(1) How many public housing dwellings have solar hot water systems.
(2) When these solar hot water systems reach the end of their expected operating lifetimes are they replaced with new solar hot water systems or with a different type of hot water service.
(3) Is there a policy to remove these systems and replace them with electric or gas hot water systems.
(4) What are the Housing ACT’s policies (a) regarding hot water systems and (b) the decision making process used when determining what type of system to install in new properties or when replacing an existing system.
Ms Berry: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
1. Housing ACT does not currently have this level of detail across the portfolio. To address this under the Total Facilities Management contract with Programmed FM, all properties will receive a condition assessment over the next three years that will build a comprehensive library of not only the condition of the property, but also the condition and type of major components including hot water systems.
2. When hot water systems reach the end of their useful life, Housing ACT replaces them with appliances that have been sourced to be cost effective and fit for purpose. The current Housing ACT design brief and the range of products does not include solar hot water units.
3. Where existing hot water systems fail, or are determined to be beyond economical repair, they are replaced with appliances that are cost effective and fit for purpose.
4. Housing ACT’s policies are:
a. To replace existing hot water systems that fail or are determined to be beyond economical repair with appliances that are cost effective and fit for purpose.
b. In October 2018, Housing ACT discontinued the installation of natural gas and appliances fuelled by non-renewable energy sources in all new properties that it builds. All new Housing ACT detached homes and townhouses utilise high efficiency electric heat-pump hot water systems, and all new multi-unit sites utilise instantaneous electric hot water systems.
When replacing existing systems, Housing ACT uses appliances that are cost effective and fit for purpose.
The ACT Government has funded a program under the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme to remove and replace inefficient gas and electric heaters
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