In addition to State and Federal Government rebates residents in the Tea Gardens retirement village were offered a $500 discount from Solahart Newcastle for installing.

“By making the switch to solar they have reduced consumption by 75 per cent which is a green house gas saving of three to four tonnes per year,” said Solahart’s nation business development manager Brian Callaghan.

“With 50 systems sold here that’s up to 200 tonnes per annum of carbon reduction. That’s the equivalent of taking 200 cars off the road.”

Mr Callaghan said in addition to the environmental incentives the switch is financially achievable.

“Replacing your hot water system for solar hot water is a cost neutral decision.

Energy prices tipped to rise 20 per cent over the next 12 months initiatives like these are future proofing people against rising costs.”

Grange resident, Bev Waller made the switch about a week ago and said she would recommend it to everyone.

“We switched mainly because we know in time to come the subsidies won’t be available to us,” she said.

“I recommend it for the financial and environment benefits and we have to help as much as we can.”

Solahart Newcastle dealer, Sara Smithson said in the long term residents will save.

“Home-owners can now receive up to $2400 worth of rebates back on solar hot water systems. Up to an additional $1300 is also available in Renewable Energy Certificates, meaning that in most cases a fully installed solar hot water system is around the same price as an electric water heater and sometimes even cheaper.”