South Australia · last reviewed 20 September 2026
Heat pump hot water rebate in SA, explained straight
South Australia's Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) is explicitly designed to reward going all-electric: the incentive is substantially larger when your home has no gas connection — or disconnects it at installation — than when gas stays on. SA does not publish a set dollar figure; obliged retailers and their providers set their own amounts, and those were reset for the 2026–2030 REPS period. Federal STCs apply on top.
How the SA incentive works
- REPS is delivered through obliged energy retailers and their partners — your installer arranges it and the amount comes off your price.
- The big swing: no gas connection (or disconnecting on install day) attracts substantially more than a like-for-like upgrade with gas retained.
- Federal STCs stack on top at point of sale.
What Adelaide households actually pay
- Typical installs run $2,500–$5,500 before incentives. If you're already considering dropping gas — hot water is often the last gas appliance — the combined REPS + STC support plus the removed daily gas supply charge makes the all-electric route the standout economics in SA.
- As always: three quotes, itemised incentives, licensed plumber.
Quick answers
Why does disconnecting gas change the SA rebate so much?
REPS is an energy-productivity scheme — removing a gas connection alongside the efficient upgrade counts for substantially more certificates, so the incentive is much larger than for a like-for-like upgrade that keeps gas connected. The exact amount is set by the retailer or provider delivering it, so get it itemised on your quote.
Do I need a specific installer for REPS?
The incentive flows through obliged retailers and their approved partners, so use an installer who works within the scheme — they'll apply it as a discount on your quote.
Is it worth keeping gas just for hot water in SA?
Usually not once the system needs replacing: the smaller rebate, the daily gas supply charge, and gas usage costs generally compare poorly against an all-electric heat pump — but run your own numbers for your tariffs.
Based on published scheme information as at 20 September 2026. Amounts vary by system, zone and eligibility, change over time, and are decided by scheme administrators — not us. Confirm final figures with an accredited installer before committing. General information, not advice.