The State Government is warning electrical installers they could face fines or worse for peddling misinformation, after claims customers have been told they must have all their household gas appliances removed if they change from a gas to electrical water heater.
Customers have aired claims to Matthew Pantelis on FIVEaa this week that installers have told them 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.
There is no such law in South Australia.
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 is concerned to hear multiple reports of various operators telling customers it was a government requirement to remove all gas appliances from their property and change to electric alternatives – at considerable cost.
We urge anyone who is given this information to contact the Office of the Technical Regulator on 1300 760 311 or [email protected] and report it – and we 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.
However, 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.
Moreover, the Office of Consumer Business Affairs maintains 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 even licence revocation.
As put by Tom Koutsantonis
I am appalled to hear reports that South Australians seeking to switch over to electric hot water are being told they must also remove all their other gas appliances – at exorbitant cost – under the false guise of state government red tape.
To be clear, no such requirement exists in South Australia.
I am warning operators that we will fine, name and shame or even ban companies that engage in this type of conduct.
Ultimately, the South Australian Government has the power to prosecute these dodgy contractors.
So my message to these operators is clear – if you are trying to take advantage of South Australians who are just trying to switch over to electric hot water, you will pay the price.
