Reminder of upcoming changes to product requirements for water heating activities

7 May 2024

We are reminding stakeholders of the changes to product requirements for some water heating activities as outlined in Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Specifications – v.16.0. 

Changes to refrigerant requirement for heat pump water heater products under activity 1D and 3C commencing 1 July 2024

From 1 July 2024, only heat pump water heaters using refrigerants with a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 700 will be eligible to be installed under activities 1D and 3C of the program.

Products registered under product category 1D and 3C that have a GWP of 700 or more will be removed from the Commission Register of Products on 1 July 2024.  Given this change, product applications for products using a refrigerant with a GWP of 700 or more under product categories 1D and 3C submitted after 30 May 2024 will not be accepted.

Water heating products registered to the AS/NZS 4234:2008 standard (under 1C and 1D) will no longer be eligible from 1 July 2024

From 1 July 2024, only water heater products (electric boosted solar water heaters and heat pump water heaters) registered as being tested in accordance with AS/NZS 4234:2021 in the Commission Register of Products under product categories 1C and 1D will be eligible to be installed under the program. 

From 1 July 2024, water heater products which have been registered in the Commission Register of Products as being tested in accordance with AS/NZS 4234:2008 under product categories 1C and 1D will no longer be eligible to be installed in the program. These products will be removed from the Commission Register of Products from 1 July 2024. Accredited persons will still be able to create activities for upgrades involving these products from 1 July 2024 provided the upgrade was undertaken on or before 30 June 2024. 

Where to get help

If you have any questions with respect to the information set out in this update, please contact VEU support on (03) 9032 1310 or veu@esc.vic.gov.au