Laws to improve energy efficiency requirements for water heaters run on bottled gas have been proposed in Queensland Parliament which would require new appliances powered in this way to have a minimum four-star energy rating.
The state already has a minimum five-star energy rating requirement for hot water systems connected to reticulated gas.
Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson says improving the energy efficiency of bottled gas water heaters was part of the Government's commitment to introduce mandatory minimum energy performance standards for gas equipment and appliances.
"All Australian manufactured or imported gas water heaters will be required to meet a minimum gas energy rating of four stars from early 2011," the Minister says.
"The initiative is the first of its kind for domestic gas appliances and equipment in Australia and it will be expanded to other new gas appliances, such as space heaters.''
Robertson introduced the amendments into Parliament the under the Mines and Energy Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2010.
Around 12 per cent of Queensland households are currently fitted with a gas-powered water heaters.
Mr Robertson says the new regulations would help reduce gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and will provide energy savings to householders when they upgrade to new gas-powered water heaters.
