Frequently asked questions
Not sure where to start? These are the questions we hear most from Melbourne homeowners. If you can't find what you're after, call us on (03) 9100 1214 — we're happy to talk it through.
General
What services does Trigger Group provide?
A wide range of electrical, plumbing and energy solutions — heat pump hot water systems, whole home water filtration, solar and battery installations, air conditioning, and general electrical and plumbing work. We're both a BPC registered and REC accredited business, which lets us complete all electrical and plumbing works in house for a seamless, end-to-end service.
Where do you work?
Melbourne, the south-east and Gippsland. We're based in Pakenham and cover Casey, Cardinia, Greater Dandenong, the Mornington Peninsula, across greater Melbourne, and east through Drouin, Warragul and the Latrobe Valley.
Do you subcontract your installations?
No. Every install is completed by Trigger Group's own licensed electricians and plumbers, on our own payroll — BPC 50819 and REC 36222. It's a fair question to put to anyone you're getting a quote from.
Am I eligible for Solar Victoria rebates?
Eligibility depends on income, property type and system requirements. You could be eligible if your household taxable income is less than $150,000 per year, you are the property owner, your property is valued at less than $3 million, and the property hasn't received the same rebate before. Solar Victoria makes the final determination — check at solar.vic.gov.au/apply, or ask us and we'll help you work it out.
Do you offer payment options?
Yes — Zip interest-free repayments are available. Approval is subject to Zip's assessment and their fees and terms apply. We'll go through the options with you.
Heat pump hot water
What is a heat pump hot water system?
A heat pump uses electricity to extract heat from the surrounding air and move it into your water, rather than generating heat directly. That makes it far more energy-efficient than a traditional electric element system — a good unit converts 1kW of electricity into around 4kW of heat.
How much can I save with a heat pump?
Most households reduce hot water energy costs by around 60–70%, depending on usage and system type. Hot water is typically the second-largest energy cost in a Melbourne home after heating.
Can you install a heat pump in my existing home?
Yes. We can replace most existing electric or gas hot water systems with a heat pump. A straight swap-over on an existing electric unit is the simplest case and is what the base rates assume.
How long does the install take?
Typically 45 minutes to 3 hours. A standard swap-over is usually completed quickly — and because we hold both the electrical and plumbing licences, we don't have to book a second trade to come back another day.
What size do I need?
As a rule of thumb: 210–220L suits up to 3 people or a one-bathroom home, 270L suits 3–4 people and is what most Melbourne homes need, and 320L suits 5+ people or heavy hot water use. We'll confirm it based on how your household actually uses hot water, not on what carries the best margin.
Which brand should I pick?
Viva is the value option and does the job well. NeoPower is the quiet one — 42 dB on the manufacturer's own measurement, R290 natural refrigerant, COP 4.33, Wi-Fi app control and triple anode protection for hard water areas. Emerald Energy is the premium range, running natural R290 refrigerant, rated from −7°C to +46°C (Select) or +43°C (Pro). We'll give you an honest recommendation rather than pushing one line.
Do heat pumps work in Melbourne winters?
Yes. The units we install operate in ambient temperatures down to −7°C, which is well below anything Melbourne produces. Efficiency does drop as the air gets colder, which is why we size on your actual usage rather than assuming the rated figure applies on the coldest morning of the year.
Am I eligible for the Solar Victoria rebate?
Broadly: household taxable income under $150,000 a year, you own the property, it's valued under $3 million, the system you're replacing is at least three years old, the property isn't a new build, and it hasn't received the same rebate before. Solar Victoria makes the final decision. We'll check it with you on the first call.
Solar & battery
Is it really $7,999, or does that go up once you visit?
$7,999 is the complete system fully installed on a standard single-storey property where the switchboard and meter are compliant and the roof is straightforward. Some homes need a switchboard upgrade, extra isolation or additional height access. If yours does, we tell you the cost in writing before you commit, not on install day. If we can't do it at the advertised price, we say so upfront.
Do I need to apply for the rebates myself?
No. The federal battery rebate and the solar STCs are assigned to us and deducted from your invoice before you pay. You don't lodge anything, wait for anything, or get reimbursed later — the price you see is the price after rebates.
Will 20.48kWh actually run my house?
For most Melbourne households, yes — comfortably through the evening peak and overnight, including the big loads. On the call we'll look at your actual usage from your bill rather than guess, and if a smaller or larger system suits you better we'll say so.
What happens in a blackout?
The Sofar hybrid inverter is backup-capable. Whether your home gets full or partial backup depends on your switchboard and how it's wired — our electrician confirms exactly what's possible at your place and quotes it properly.
Is there still a Solar Victoria battery rebate?
No. Solar Victoria's battery rebate has ended and it is no longer taking applications for interest-free battery loans either. Batteries are now supported federally, through the Commonwealth's Cheaper Home Batteries Program — that's the discount shown in our pricing, and it comes off at the point of sale rather than being something you apply for and wait on. Solar Victoria rebates do still run on heat pump and solar hot water; if you're looking at hot water as well, we'll go through that with you.
How long does a solar battery installation take?
Typically less than a day on site. Battery installation is prescribed electrical work, so it must then be inspected by an independent Licensed Electrical Inspector before the system can be fully commissioned, and arranging that inspection can take up to two weeks.
Who actually does the install?
We do. Trigger Group employs its own licensed electricians and plumbers — REC 36222 and BPC 50819. Your job is never sold on to a subcontracted crew, so the people who quote it are the people who install it and the people who warrant it.
Can I pay it off?
Yes — Zip interest-free repayments are available. Zip Money carries a $9.95 monthly account fee (waived when your balance is $0), a one-off establishment fee of up to $99 depending on your approved limit, and any balance still owing when the interest-free term ends is charged at Zip's standard variable rate. Approval is subject to Zip's assessment. We'll go through the options on the call.
Air conditioning
What size split system do I need?
As a guide: 2.5kW suits a room up to 20m², 3.5kW up to 35m², and 7.6kW up to 70m². Ceiling height, insulation, window area and which way the room faces all shift it, so we confirm on site rather than guessing off floor area alone.
Split, ducted or multi-head — which one?
A split system heats and cools one room or open area and is the cheapest and quickest to install. Ducted does the whole house from one system through ceiling vents, with up to 8 zones. Multi-head runs several indoor units off a single outdoor unit — the answer when you want three or four rooms done without three or four outdoor boxes on the wall.
Can reverse cycle replace my gas ducted heating?
Yes, and on many homes it's a like-for-like replacement using the existing ductwork. Reverse cycle is substantially cheaper to run than gas ducted, it removes the carbon monoxide risk entirely, and it gives you cooling in summer from the same system.
Do you handle the rebates?
Yes. Split system air conditioning is eligible under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, and we handle the certificate paperwork. As an accredited installer we claim on your behalf so the value comes off your price rather than being something you chase.
What's the warranty?
Split systems: 5 years on the system and 2 years labour and service. Ducted and multi-head: 7 years on the system and 5 years labour and service. Those are the manufacturer's terms as published on the data sheets, which you can download from this page.
Who does the electrical work?
We do. Air conditioning installs frequently need a dedicated circuit or a switchboard upgrade, and we hold the electrical licence in house — REC 36222. No waiting on a second company to come back.
Whole home water filtration
What does a whole home filtration system actually do?
It's installed at the main water entry point, so it filters every drop before it reaches your taps, showers and appliances. That means cleaner water everywhere in the house — not just at one filtered tap in the kitchen.
Why not just fit an under-sink filter?
An under-sink unit only treats one outlet. You still shower in chlorinated water, still wash your clothes in it and still run it through your dishwasher and hot water system. Whole home treatment covers all of it, and reduces the scale build-up that shortens the life of appliances and pipework.
Will it drop my water pressure?
No — the Viva unit uses a full-size 20″ housing and is designed for high flow rates suited to Australian mains pressure. Showers, washing machines and taps stay strong even during peak use. This is the main reason we fit Viva rather than the smaller housings some competitors use.
What does it remove?
It's a three-stage system: sediment filtration to 1 micron, heavy metal reduction using KDF55 with coconut carbon, for chlorine, taste and odour, and limescale reduction media. Most cheaper systems only run one or two of those stages.
Does it need maintenance?
Filters need periodic replacement depending on your usage and local water quality. Because the Viva uses a full-size 20″ housing, cartridges last longer between changes than the smaller units. We can take care of all servicing and filter replacements for you.
How much is it?
$3,499 plus GST supplied and fully installed. That's the complete system by our licensed plumbers, with the compliance work included.
Still got a question?
Call us and talk to someone who does the work, not a call centre.