If you've changed your water heater from gas to electric, you don't have to remove everything that is already gas, the SA government has said.
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It follows claims that installers have been telling customers that if they change to an electric hot water service they must also disconnect all other gas connections to the property, allegedly citing state government law.
Energy minister Tom Koutsantonis said is no such law.
The only requirement when changing your heated water service from gas to electric when gas is reticulated to the property is that the replacement electric heated water unit would need to be a 'Low emission' unit.
The government urges anyone who is given this information to contact the Office of the Technical Regulator on 1300 760 311 or otr.plumbregulator@sa.gov.au and report it - and it will ensure that any operators spreading such misinformation are dealt with. A $315 fine (plus the victim of crime levy) applies for performing non-compliant work.
There are a range of civil and criminal penalties that apply for breaches of the Australian Consumer Law. For offences relating to unfair practices such as false and misleading representations, bait advertising and wrongfully accepting payment, a body corporate can be fined up to $50,000,000 while an offence committed by a person other than a body corporate can face up to $2,500,000.
The Office of Consumer Business Affairs has a public list that 'names and shames' dodgy contractors. Contractors that make false claims of this type are at risk of being added to that list or having their licence removed.
