MCE
The National Hot Water Implementation Committee (NHWIC) has undertaken two consultation events with the water heater industry to inform the development of measures for MCE consideration. The first of these, held in Sydney on August 6th 2008 involved a discussion around the design principles of a National Hot Water Strategy. The second, in Melbourne on October 15th 2008, built on this to discuss a 10-year pathway for a transition to low-emission water heaters.
In February 2009, a workshop considered options for water heating in Class 2 dwellings such as multi-story apartments. The NHWIC is identifying and developing solutions to issues such as Strata Title requirements, and the limitations of multi-story buildings that are preventing the replacement of inefficient water heaters with low-emission water heating systems.
In March 2009, a further brief was provided to industry on the Strategic Framework, as agreed to by the MCE.
On 30th April, 2009, the Council of Australian Governments agreed, subject to a regulatory impact statement, to include requirements for hot water in the 2010 building code.
A consultation Regulatory Impact Statement is currently being developed for the phase out of conventional electric water heaters, due to commence nationally in 2010.