Energy Saver Incentive
The Victorian Government's Energy Saver Incentive is making energy efficiency more affordable.
Discounts and special offers on selected products are available from participating businesses to help you save energy at home.
The bigger the greenhouse gas reduction, the bigger your potential incentive.
All sorts of organisations offering products and services to help you save energy can participate – from your energy retailer, to your local appliance store, to plumbers, builders and other tradespeople.
Ask for your Energy Saver Incentive at participating businesses.
What you need to know about the Energy Saver Incentive
1. Only participating businesses can provide you with discounts and special offers through this scheme. Ask your retailer or tradesperson if they offer an Energy Saver Incentive or check the list of participating businesses
2. Energy Saver Incentives may only be available for some appliances and products if they are professionally installed in your home. Some installations you do yourself may not be eligible for the incentive, so make sure you check with your participating supplier before you make your purchase.
3. The Energy Saver Incentive should be offered to you at the time of purchase. The incentive is not a rebate, so you should receive your benefit directly from the person providing the product or service at the point of sale or installation. Make sure you know exactly the type of incentive you’ll receive before you buy, to avoid missing out.
4. You'll be asked to sign a form which shows the incentive you will receive for your Energy Saver action. Remember, the bigger the greenhouse gas reduction, the bigger your incentive should be.
5. You may be eligible for other government energy efficiency rebates too. More on rebates
A wide range of organisations can sign up to become Energy Saver businesses.
Businesses can start signing up from January 1 2009.
The list of participating business can be found through the link below. It will be updated regularly as new businesses register to take part.
Link to participating businesses on the Essential Services Commission website.
There may be other partners who can also offer you the Energy Saver Incentive. Make sure you check with your store or supplier and ask if they can offer you the Energy Saver Incentive if you're considering taking any of the six Energy Saver Actions.
What’s in it for business?
Energy Saver businesses receive an incentive to participate and can pass some of this incentive on to their customers to make energy efficient products more affordable.
Participating businesses will ask their customers to sign a form. This form should tell you the benefit you have received for your Energy Saver Action. It also allows the business to access a financial benefit for helping you to save energy at home.
If you're interested in more information about how to become a participating business go to Essential Services Commission website.
Energy Saver Actions:
Insulate your uninsulated floors
Double glaze windows
Weather-proof windows and doors
Seal gaps, wall vents and chimneys to stop draughts
Making your home better insulated is an easy way to save energy on heating and cooling and reduce your power bills.
If your floors are uninsulated, you could be eligible to receive an Energy Saver Incentive to install insulation and buffer the effects of the seasons. Government rebates for some of these products may also be available.
The Energy Saver Incentive applies to double glazing windows; either fitting new ones or adding panes to your existing windows. It’s also available to help stop nasty draughts by weather-proofing doors or windows, sealing wall vents or installing chimney dampers, which open and close to shut out draughts when you’re not using the fireplace.
Insulate your home fact sheet More on participating businesses More on rebates
Buy a fridge or freezer with 4.5 stars or more
Dispose of old inefficient fridges safely
Buying a fridge or freezer is not something you do every day. You can save a lot of money and energy, over many years, by choosing the most efficient appliance. Fridges with either one or two doors and both chest and vertical freezers may be eligible for an Energy Saver Incentive.
To find out which fridges and freezers are eligible, ask at one of the participating stores or check the list of eligible appliances.
There is also an incentive available to have inefficient fridges built before 1996 disposed of in a way that’s safe for the environment. Check our list of participating businesses to find a supplier which can offer you this service.
Choose an energy efficient fridge or freezer fact sheet More on participating businesses More on eligible fridges and freezers
Choose high-efficiency heating for your home
You can make huge reductions in your carbon footprint by replacing old energy-intensive heaters. Energy Saver Incentives are available to help you upgrade to high-efficiency heating. The incentive will depend on the type of heating you’re replacing.
Electric heating at home? Replace old electric heating with high efficiency split-system electric heating Replace electric central heating with high-efficiency gas ducted heating
Gas heating at home? Replace old gas ducted heating with high-efficiency gas ducted heating Replace old gas ducted heating with high-efficiency gas ducted heating
Not replacing old heating?
Even if you’re not replacing an old heater, you could still be eligible for an Energy Saver Incentive if you: Install a high-efficiency gas/LPG space heater Install high-efficiency split-system electric space heating
Heat your home with less energy fact sheet More on participating businesses More on eligible heaters
Go solar or gas for hot water
Heating hot water accounts for a large proportion of your energy bills, so installing a more efficient hot water system can save a lot of money, a lot of energy and a lot of black balloons. Depending on the type of hot water system you’re replacing, upgrading to a more efficient type could be eligible for an Energy Saver Incentive.
Electric hot water at home? Add a solar retrofit to your existing electric hot water system Replace it with a gas/LPG hot water system Replace it with a solar-boosted electric hot water system Replace it with an electric heat pump hot water system Replace it with a gas/LPG solar-boosted hot water system
Gas hot water at home? Add a solar pre-heater to your existing gas/LPG hot water system Replace it with a solar boosted hot water system
Government rebates for some of these products may also be available.
Upgrade to an energy-efficient hot water system fact sheet More on participating businesses More on eligible hot water systems More on rebates
Install a water-saving shower head and save energy
Hot water heating is one of the biggest uses of energy in our homes. Using less of it is another way to easily save power. Replacing your conventional shower head with a water-saving one is easy, and is also eligible for an Energy Saver Incentive from participating businesses.
Install a water-saving shower head fact sheet More on participating businesses
Use energy efficient light globes all round your home
Install special energy efficient lamps to light up your rooms using less power
Did you know you can save 2,800 black balloons and up to $19 per globe a year by using energy saving globes? Special offers or discounts are available from paticipating agents who can come to fit out your home with the latest in energy efficient lighting, including down-lights and energy efficient lamps. It is an easy and cheap way to save energy and reduce your greenhouse emissions.
Lighting your home more efficiently fact sheet More on participating businesses
Further Information:
Download your Energy Saver Incentive Buyers Guide
Related Information
Quick Action: Staying Warm
For every degree you increase the thermostat setting in winter, your bill can increase by up to 15 percent.
