Frequently asked questions
Questions about electrical safety and wiring
What is a periodic inspection?
When do I need to rewire?
Who should carry out an electrical inspection?
I am a rental provider (landlord). How often should I have an electrical safety check done?
At least once every 2 years. In Victoria, rental providers must have all electrical installations, fixtures and fittings checked by a licensed or registered electrician at least once every 2 years. Since 13 October 2026 this applies to every rental agreement, whatever date it started; before then it covered agreements entered into from 29 March 2021. If no check has been done in the last 2 years when a renter moves in, one must be done as soon as possible.
- Before a new agreement, tell the renter the date of the last electrical safety check and any outstanding recommendations from it.
- Keep a record of the most recent check, and give the renter a copy within 7 days of a written request.
- Since 29 March 2023, every power outlet and lighting circuit in a rental must be connected to a switchboard-type circuit breaker and a switchboard-type safety switch (RCD). This doesn’t apply if the rental agreement became a periodic (month-to-month) agreement before 29 March 2021.
- The check must be done by a licensed or registered electrician.
The full rules are on Consumer Affairs Victoria. For what changes from 1 March 2027, see our guide to the minimum rental standards.
I have contacted my landlord on several occasions but they won’t do anything?
Put your request in writing and date it. In Victoria, a dangerous electrical fault is an urgent repair, which the rental provider must make immediately. Non-urgent repairs must be made within 14 days of a written request. If the rental provider still does not act, Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) can help, and it can help you apply to VCAT if the dispute is not resolved. See Consumer Affairs Victoria on repairs.
Does all the redundant and old wiring have to be removed?
Questions about solar panels and generators
How to calculate what size solar system you need
Solar systems with the best return on investment match the solar output to the daytime energy requirements of the home.
By matching solar power generation to the home’s energy requirements, you minimise the amount of surplus energy to be sold to the grid. With the low feed-in tariffs, selling power back to the grid is no longer financially attractive. Our solar page covers what size solar system you need, from 5 kW to 30 kW.
The rates you will be paid by the electricity retailers for solar power sold back into the grid (Feed in tariff) have decreased considerably over the last decade. This has led to a key design principle: size the system to the electricity you use during the day, not to the size of the roof.
Your electricity load profile considers how you use electricity through-out the day.A typical home uses most energy in the mornings and evenings as people are often at work or school during the daytime
The 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Solar
- Not understanding the difference between the solar rebate and solar feed-in tariffs
- Not getting multiple quotes
- Not installing enough solar
- Waiting for batteries to drop in price
- Make sure that you picked accredited and verified solar installer
- Not knowing what protections you’re entitled to under Australian consumer law
- Thinking that because your roof isn’t north-facing, solar isn’t worth it
Federal and state incentives explained
Federal: small-scale technology certificates (STCs)
Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, a solar system up to 1 MW earns STCs (systems over 100 kW since 1 October 2026) based on its expected generation and your location. The value is usually taken off your quote upfront.
Victoria: Solar Victoria solar panel rebate
Some owner-occupiers may also qualify for Solar Victoria’s solar panel rebate; Solar Victoria has the current rules.
Batteries
There is no Victorian battery rebate. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program discounts eligible home batteries. Our battery rebate guide has the current figures.
Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU)
VEU does not cover solar panels. It discounts energy-efficient upgrades such as heat pump hot water and reverse cycle air conditioning.
Businesses
A small business may be able to claim a solar system under the ATO’s instant asset write-off. The limits change, so check the current rules with the ATO or your accountant.
Benefits of solar
While rebates and tax breaks offer a welcome upfront saving, don’t forget the ongoing benefits of solar:
Reduced electricity bills: Generate your clean power and significantly reduce your reliance on the grid, leading to lower electricity bills.
Increased property value: Homes with solar panels are often more attractive to buyers, potentially fetching a higher price.
Environmental benefits: Solar power is a clean and renewable energy source, helping to reduce your carbon footprint and combat climate change.
Can You Run the Generator and Solar at the Same Time?
Not on a standard grid-connected solar system. Its inverter is designed to switch off when the grid goes down, not to run alongside a generator, and a generator must never be connected to the house wiring without a changeover switch installed by a licensed electrician. Some hybrid and off-grid inverters have a dedicated generator input and can charge a battery from a generator. If you want a generator as backup alongside solar or a battery, we can check whether your inverter supports it and quote the changeover switch.
Questions about heat pump hot water
The truth about heat pumps
.They use less energy to transfer heat from one place to another instead of generating it, so they are eco-friendly and will make your energy bills fall to the ground
They have a long lifespan.
Heat pumps are low on maintenance.
While heat pumps are versatile and can adapt to a wide range of temperatures and climates, there are still some downsides to consider.
They are not the best option in extremely cold weather conditions, though Melbourne does not get that cold. Our heat pump vs gas hot water comparison covers winter performance here.
Some of them can be quite noisy.
Heat pumps’ up-front cost can be quite high.
Questions about air conditioning
What size air conditioner do I need?
You may assume that the size of your room dictates the capacity of air conditioner you should buy.
But although room size is an important consideration, every home is different and there are actually many other factors that will affect your air conditioning capacity requirements.
Room size: What’s the length, width and ceiling height? While floor space is important, so is total volume – a room with high ceilings will require more energy to cool and heat.
Insulation: Are the ceilings and walls insulated? What’s underneath and on top of the room?
Location: Where do you live? A room in Darwin will need a more powerful air conditioner for cooling, compared to an otherwise identical room in Hobart.
Orientation: Which way does the room face? A large north- or west-facing window can let in a lot of heat in summer, whereas a shaded, southern-facing window will be cooler.
Our air conditioner size calculator works out the kW for a room or a ducted house and shows the Victorian Government’s room-size table.
I want to replace my old air conditioner. Should my replacement be the same size?
Depending on the age of your air conditioner it is not always guaranteed that your replacement should be the same kW capacity size. Check out our sizing calculator to confirm.
I live in an area prone to high humidity. Will the air conditioner help to dehumidify the room?
Yes, in both cooling and dry (dehumidifier) mode, the process within the air conditioner helps remove the humidity from the room. This moisture is condensed onto the indoor coil and removed via the drainage pipe to outside.
I live in an apartment, what type of an air conditioner would you recommend I buy?
Due to space limitations we would usually recommend a single split system or a multi head system. Apartments tend to have smaller living spaces and limited outdoor space.
Most apartments or units also don’t have a ceiling or underfloor space to install the indoor unit and ducting. Even if it does have a roof space, you would need to check the fire proofing requirements of your ceiling.
Do I need a Ducted System for my family home?
Depending on how many rooms you wish to heat or cool, and the size of your house, ducted air conditioners can be a more viable option over multiple split systems. Though if you do not have adequate roof space or underfloor space for the indoor unit and ducting, a ducted would not be an option for your home.
You will also need to consider your budget: our ducted air conditioning cost calculator gives a first estimate. If you are moving off gas, our gas ducted heating replacement page sets out the electric options.
For help deciding reach out to us, we will be happy to discuss your options.
Questions about solar batteries and the rebate
How much is the battery rebate worth in 2026?
Roughly $250–$270 per usable kilowatt-hour on the first 14 kWh as at November 2026, depending on the
certificate price on the day.
Is there a Victorian battery rebate?
No. Solar Victoria’s interest-free battery loan closed in May 2025. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries
Program is what is available to Victorian households.
Do I need solar already?
You need solar, but it can be existing. The battery has to be on the Clean Energy Council approved battery list, and the existing system must meet Victorian electrical safety requirements. If the battery connects through an existing hybrid inverter, that inverter must be able to join a virtual power plant and be on the approved inverter list (or have been listed when the system was commissioned); a standard solar inverter does not need to be.
What changes on 1 January 2027?
The certificate factor falls from 6.8 to 5.7, roughly a 16% reduction in rebate value.
How do I know my installer is accredited?
Every company credential we advertise is one you can look up. We are a Registered Electrical Contractor with Energy Safe Victoria, REC 35448, verifiable on the ESV public register. We are a VEU Accredited Provider (A003039), ARC Refrigerant Trading Authorisation AU50700 holders, with licensed technicians on the refrigerant side and team members registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission (formerly the VBA) for air conditioning work, a NETCC Approved Seller, and a Clean Energy Council member.
Solar installer accreditation is a separate thing, and worth understanding if you are comparing installers. It moved from the Clean Energy Council to Solar Accreditation Australia in February 2024, and it is held by individual installers rather than by a company, so there is no company number to quote you. Our accredited designers and installers cover grid-connected solar, battery storage and stand-alone power systems.
Questions about home EV chargers
Do I need council approval to install an EV charger at home in Melbourne?
Usually not. Victoria’s planning rules exempt EV chargers from a planning permit unless a control specifically requires one; the common case is a heritage-listed home (Heritage Overlay) where the charger would be visible from a street (other than a lane) or a public park. It does need to be carried out by a licensed electrician and signed off with a Certificate of Electrical Safety.
Can I install a home EV charger myself?
No. DIY installation is illegal in Victoria and creates a real fire and shock risk. It must be installed by a licensed electrician to AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules.
Which EV charger brands does Helcro Electrical install?
We install home charging units from brands including Zappi, Tesla and Wallbox, matched to your vehicle and existing electrical setup. → EV Chargers
Questions about CCTV and security cameras
Do I need a permit to install security cameras at my home in Victoria?
No. Personal home CCTV doesn’t need council or privacy-law registration in Victoria, as long as it only covers your own property and doesn’t record into a neighbour’s yard or windows. If you pay someone to install it, they need a Victoria Police private security licence, and any mains wiring needs a licensed electrician.
Wired or wireless CCTV, which is better for a home system?
Wired systems are generally more reliable long-term; they don’t drop off Wi-Fi or need battery swaps. Whichever you choose, the recorder needs a power point nearby, and we can install it.
How many cameras does a standard home CCTV setup need?
That depends on the property, and your security installer will work it out with you. We do the electrical side: power for the recorder and any mains-powered cameras. → Security