The right insulation and ventilation provides year-round comfort and cuts your energy bills.
Yes. A reverse cycle system uses up to 60% less energy than older electric or gas heating. By switching, you reduce emissions from fossil fuels and lower your household running costs.
Renters can apply, but the property owner must approve the upgrade. Many landlords support the switch because it adds value to the property and helps meet Victoria’s minimum energy efficiency standards.
Yes. If you’re replacing gas ducted heating, the system is decommissioned. This is included in our service and is required to qualify for the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebate.
Most installations are completed in a single day for standard homes. If your property needs extra electrical work or has complex layouts, it may extend to two days. Our team confirms this during your free assessment, so you know exactly what to expect.
Unfortunately, no.
Like almost all of the VEU incentives to date, the product must be supplied and installed by an Accredited Partner in the program. If you’re a handy person, and comfortable with installations like this, we appreciate this might be frustrating, but it’s to ensure the safety of Victorians and make sure you get the most out of your new system.
To qualify:
Victorian Government: Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs). VEECS are available to Victorian residents and companies who convert from an inefficient heating and cooling systems. VEECs are available as a point-of-sale discount.
The costs involved in upgrading to an energy efficient air conditioner vary depending on your current existing heating and cooling system.
Pricing is based on decommissioning an existing gas ducted heater, standard metro etc.
You don’t need to do anything!
That’s the best bit about this offer (besides the savings). As this offer isn’t a rebate, you don’t need to apply or provide lots of information to claim your discount. The discounted price is automatically applied during your quote.
To upgrade, contact our team on 1300 788 776 to arrange a FREE Energy Efficiency Assessment.
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program is an initiative by the Victorian Government designed to enhance energy efficiency in both residential and commercial properties. It provides incentives to help offset the costs of installing energy-efficient systems, including air conditioners and heat pumps. This program not only helps reduce energy bills but also supports the overall goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Victoria.
The Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) is an energy efficiency program available for households and businesses in New South Wales. Managed by the NSW state government, the ESS aims to promote energy efficiency improvements that help reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. By participating in the scheme, you can access incentives for implementing energy-saving measures, ultimately leading to lower energy costs and a smaller environmental footprint.
Eligible activities under the scheme can include LED upgrades, hot water and heating and cooling.
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) is an Australian Government initiative that facilitates the installation of renewable energy technologies through tradable certificates known as Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs). Eligible rooftop solar installations for homes and businesses can earn STCs, effectively providing a subsidy.
The above incentives will be applied to your quote, significantly reducing the cost of installation helping you lower the overall cost of your installation.
Accredited Certificate Providers, like Energy Makeovers, play a key role in ensuring that projects meet the requirements of the energy efficiency schemes. They generate energy savings certificates, which are then sold on a closed market. The value of these certificates is often used to offset project costs, making energy-efficient upgrades more affordable for households and businesses. This process helps incentivize the adoption of energy-saving measures while contributing to overall reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
The scheme allows for most businesses in NSW to upgrade their outdated lighting to LED. But we’d strongly recommend contacting our energy efficiency experts on 1300 788 776 for a no-obligation enquiry, to confirm your eligibility.
The energy savings you can expect vary depending on your current lighting and the efficiency of the lights you’re upgrading to. For example, upgrading fluorescent lights to LED saves an average of 66%, while upgrading highbays to LEDs saves an average of 85%. Your business has the potential to save thousands of dollars a year
Upgrading your business with energy efficiency solutions can help reduce energy consumption and save costs. A few upgrades including replacing incandescent bulbs with LED lights, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, adding insulation, sealing air leaks, installing energy-efficient windows, and considering renewable energy. To determine the most effective upgrades for your business, we recommend speaking with one of our energy efficiency consultants on 1300 778 776.
Under the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS), a $33 mandatory scheme payment applies to lighting upgrades completed under the HEER Method.
Water heating activities completed under the HEER method will incur a mandatory scheme payment of $220.
Standard Installation includes:
Excluding:
Yes, the multi-story installation fee is $2,000.
Yes, a Regional Service Fee applies for Installations greater then 150Km from CBD VIC and NSW across all installations.
Under the Victorian Government’s VEU program to encourage homeowners to adopt more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly upgrades, they have included heat pump hot water systems. Unlike the LED offers and energy monitor schemes, this residential offer is not 100% free, but enables the Victorian resident eligible for a rebate of 50% or up to $1000 off the cost of purchasing and installing a new heat pump hot water system.
Heat pumps are beneficial for several reasons:
They are more energy-efficient than traditional hot water systems, as they use a small amount of electricity to move heat from the air or ground into your water, rather than generating heat directly.
Reducing the amount of electricity or gas needed to heat water, heat pumps also help to lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. This aligns with the Victorian Government’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy sources.
Yes. A heat pump is most effective when paired with solar panels and a battery. This allows you to run the system on self-generated electricity during the day and store power at night, maximising savings and independence from the grid.
Replacing an inefficient electric or gas system with a heat pump can add NatHERS points to your home’s star rating. This improves comfort, reduces running costs, and increases property value under Victoria’s minimum efficiency standards.
Plus, increasing the energy efficiency of your home can increase its value by up to $100,000. Read more here.
Switching from an electric or gas system to a heat pump can save up to 70% on hot water energy costs. For an average Victorian household, that equates to $300–$900 per year, depending on household size and energy use.
***Data sourced from Victorian Government Sustainability Victoria, September 2024, Compare water heating running costs. Annual cost estimations and savings are a guide only and based on a Melbourne household with a heat pump hot water system, with four people using 150 litres per day, and electricity tariffs based on a general (or peak) rate of 29.3 c/kWh, and an off-peak rate of 21.6 c/kWh.
Today’s hot water heat pump systems are designed to work efficiently even in cold conditions. Using advanced compressors, they can extract heat from the air at temperatures as low as -5°C, which covers our winter.
Yes. Modern heat pumps are available in sizes ranging from 150L to over 300L, making them suitable for households of all sizes. For families with four or more members, we recommend a 300L system to ensure a consistent supply.
Most installations are completed in half a day. More complex jobs, such as those where old gas lines need to be capped, may take longer; however, our team will confirm the expected timeframe during your assessment.
No. Under current program rules, homes must generally be at least two years old to qualify for government incentives. This ensures that only inefficient systems are replaced rather than brand-new installations.
Yes. Your existing hot water system is safely decommissioned and removed as part of the upgrade. This is also a requirement of the VEU program, ensuring that inefficient systems are replaced with approved high-performance heat pumps. You can read more about the program on their website, here.
Yes, but the property owner must approve the installation. Many landlords agree because upgrading improves their property’s energy rating, makes it more attractive to tenants, and lowers running costs.
Yes. Energy Makeovers offers $0 upfront installation by applying incentives directly to your quote.
In Victoria, households can access support through the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, the Solar Victoria Hot Water Program, and the Federal Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). Together, these incentives can reduce upfront costs by thousands, making heat pump systems more affordable.
Absolutely! If you have solar panels, we will connect your hot water heat pump to your existing energy supply so your solar panels can power your unit.
We recommend:
200 Lt unit for 1-4 people
300Lt unit for 5+ people
It is important to keep in mind if you are considering a family expansion in the future (eg.: kids or pets), or if you tend to have multiple guests at home. If you are unsure, our team of experts will be happy to guide you – just complete the form below to receive a call back.
In comparison to other systems, such as an electric boiler, they use less electricity since heat pumps transfer heat as opposed to generating it. This can reduce carbon emissions and reach efficiency levels close to 600% (meaning they deliver up to 6 times as much energy as they consume).
A hot water heat pump works exactly the same way your air condition split system does to warm up your house:
1. A fan in your outdoor unit will draw surrounding air.
2. The heat in the air is absorbed by a refrigerant flowing within the unit transferring the heat from the air to the water in the water tank providing your hot water.
And yes, our range of hot water heat pumps also work in winter as the refrigerant has an anti-freeze that prevents it from freezing.
Residential heat pumps need to be older than 3 years to qualify for this discount. (You can check this in the manufacturing label of your unit). If your heat pump meets this criteria, you will be eligible for the VEU (Victorian Energy Upgrades) rebate.
To also get the Solar Victoria hot water rebate, complete the form on the bottom of our page so our assessment team can find out if you qualify.
To be eligible for the Solar Victoria Hot Water Rebate, you must:
The hot water rebate is calculated after any other discounts have been applied (including Small-scale Technology Certificates and Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates) and is a 50% rebate on the purchase price of the system, up to the value of $1000.
A key benefit of heat pumps is their energy efficiency – they use as much as 60-75% less power than conventional electric hot water systems. This not only reduces your environmental footprint and carbon emissions, it also results in lower running costs.
https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/why-choose-heat-pump-hot-water-system
Victorian and NSW households and businesses can take advantage of a range of different government incentives when upgrading to an energy-efficient heat pump, including VEECs, ESCs and STCs.
The incentives provide significant savings and encourage a transition to more sustainable home energy solutions.
Call our experts on 1300 788 776 for us to tailor an energy efficiency solution for you.
Hot water heat pumps (also known as ‘air source heat pumps’) are a type of hot water system that absorbs heat from the air and transfers it to heat water. They use electricity to operate the fan and compressor, but because they do not use electricity to heat the water, they are around three times more energy efficient than a conventional electric hot water system. This means they only require a third of the power of a conventional electric hot water system.
LEDs are currently the most energy-efficient lights available. These lights use a fraction of the energy of conventional bulbs while still producing the same amount of light. Compared to a 50-watt halogen bulb, an LED could use as little as 5 watts, saving you 85% on your lighting costs.
One of the big advantages of LED lighting is that they outlast any of their competition. A standard bulb generates light using a filament which, over time, will burn out and eventually break. Because an LED bulb uses a diode instead of a filament, it can last far longer before it needs to be replaced.
In general, halogen light bulbs last somewhere between 1,000 and 4,000 hours – less than a year if you use the light eight hours a day. CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) last a little longer, coming in around 6,000 hours. LED bulbs can last between 15,000 and 50,000 hours – up to more than seventeen years with eight-hour daily use.
Under the VEU program, businesses are eligible for large subsidies to increase carbon abatement and help Victoria decrease its greenhouse gas emissions. If you own or manage a business, contact our team on 1300 788 776 to discuss your current lighting systems and what subsidies you may be eligible for and how much your business can save.
The cost of upgrading to LED varies depending on your location.
The name “LED” stands for “light emitting diode” and is a different lighting structure than traditional incandescent or fluorescent lighting. LEDs are much more efficient, lasting far longer while using less energy than conventional halogen, incandescent and fluorescent lighting.
A door seal, also known as weather seal, is used to seal the gap between a door and its frame. The seal helps prevent air and moisture from passing through the gap, improving the energy efficiency and indoor comfort of a building.
The installation of a door seal is an effective way to reduce air leakage. Which can lower heating and cooling costs and improve the overall energy efficiency of a building
A door seal can be used on a single/double single swinging door which leads to the external part of the building or to a garage. They cannot be installed on Bi-fold doors, French doors, or sliding doors.
Air Vent covers work by blocking evaporative cooling vents in the ceiling of homes, which are a significant source of heat loss over the winter months.
Most households have exhaust vents that aren’t properly sealed, allowing outside air to enter and indoor air to escape. This can cause fluctuations in room temperature and result in higher energy bills as you work to maintain a comfortable environment.
To address this issue, exhaust fan seals can be installed at the exhaust vents. These seals feature flaps that open when the exhaust fan is activated and close when the fan is turned off, effectively preventing unwanted airflow and helping to stabilize indoor temperatures.
The installation will be completed by an A-Grade electrician as per VEU Scheme requirements.
A chimney damper helps regulate room temperature by preventing hot air from entering through the chimney in summer and blocking cold drafts in winter.
Every household that has a fireplace in Victoria, will benefit immensely from installing a damper to stop heated/cooled indoor air from escaping through flue/chimney hole. They also help keep the rain, debris, dust, insects, moths, and animals out.
To qualify, the household must have a wood fireplace without a seal.
The chimney sealing products are covered in draught proofing activity, 15-G of Victoria Energy Upgrades Program. Under the Part 15 of Schedule 2 of the Victoria Energy Upgrades Program (VEU), a residential property owner in Victoria can get a temporary chimney seal (or flue damper) with reusable design installed for free.
An In-home display or energy monitor is a device which connects to your smart meter enabling the user to check and monitor household energy usage as it occurs.
All Victorians households are eligible for one unit.
In addition to the above products, Energy Makeovers offers a range of energy efficiency products including showerheads, in home display, exhaust fans, door seals, air vent covers and chimney seals.
To be eligible for a showerhead replacement:
Please note a maximum of three inefficient showerheads can be replaced per household and your existing showerhead must be removed from the property and disposed by our installer.
A solar consultant can provide a tailored assessment of your energy needs by analysing your interval data—the detailed breakdown of your electricity usage throughout the day. This data, available from your electricity retailer or distribution network provider, helps identify usage patterns and determine the optimal solar and battery solution for your property.
When your solar PV system generates enough energy to meet your daily needs and consistently charges your battery, it can lead to substantial reductions in electricity costs. In addition, participating in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) allows you to sell excess stored energy back to the grid during peak demand periods, further increasing your energy savings and maximising the value of your solar investment.
There’s never been a better time. As we mentioned, The Cheaper Home Batteries discount will decrease over time. Don’t wait and miss out.
Oversizing your solar energy system can be a smart and cost-effective decision. By installing more panels than your inverter’s nominal capacity allows, you can increase your system’s overall energy production, especially during the early morning and late afternoon when sunlight is weaker. This approach is often referred to as “overclocking” the inverter and is supported by most manufacturers within certain limits, typically up to 133% of the inverter’s rated input.
Oversizing also prepares your home for future energy needs, such as getting an electric vehicle or adding electric heating and cooling.
It makes full use of your roof space and can lead to better long-term savings since panels are relatively inexpensive compared to other system components.
Note: Under current STC oversizing rules, inverters can be oversized by 133%.
No, they don’t. Solar panels generate energy from the sun, and moonlight is not a substitute.
You can read our blog post: Do Solar Panels Work at Night, here
Yes. To maintain high efficacy, you should aim to clean your solar panels once or twice a year, in typical suburban areas. Perhaps more if you live near the ocean, or there are trees nearby that drop pollen or heavy foliage.
You can read everything you need to know about solar panel efficiency, here
| Inverter Type | Typical Lifespan |
|---|---|
| String Inverter | 10–15 years |
| Microinverter | 20–25 years |
| Power Optimizer | 20–25 years (used with string inverters) |
| Hybrid/Battery Inverter | 10–15 years |
Yes, you can leave your solar panels charging all the time; that’s exactly how they are designed to operate.
Solar panels are meant to produce electricity whenever sunlight is available, continuously feeding power into your home. Our solar energy systems include components like inverters that regulate the flow of electricity, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
As long as your system is installed correctly and uses the correct components, there’s no harm in keeping it connected and charging around the clock.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical Lifespan | 25–30 years |
| Performance After 25 Years | Typically 80–87% of original output |
| Degradation Rate | About 0.5%–0.8% per year |
| Performance Warranty | Usually 25 years (guaranteeing 80% output) |
| Product Warranty | 10–25 years, depending on manufacturer |
| Durability | Designed to withstand rain, wind, hail, and snow |
| Replacement Indicators | Physical damage, major drop in output, or tech upgrades |
You can tell if your property is suitable for solar by looking at several key factors, most of which are easy to assess on your own or with a quick (no-obligation) inspection by us.
The most important element is roof orientation and sunlight exposure. Ideally, your roof should face north and receive unshaded sunlight for most of the day. East and west-facing roofs can also work well.
The angle and size of your roof also matter. A roof with a decent tilt (between 15° and 30°) improves efficiency, though panels can still be mounted flat or on adjustable frames if needed. You’ll also want to make sure there’s enough space for the number of panels you need; typically, a 6.6 kW system requires about 25–30 square meters of clear roof area. If you have a multi-level roof system, we can spread the panels across it; they do not have to remain clumped together.
Check for shading from nearby trees, chimneys, or other buildings, especially during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Shade can significantly reduce output.
If your roof is old or needs repairs, it’s best to fix it before installing panels to avoid extra costs later. If you’re unsure, we offer a free site assessment and can use satellite imagery or a visit to evaluate your roof’s solar potential.
Yes, renters in Victoria can access the solar rebate, but it requires cooperation from their landlord. The Solar for Rentals program, offered by Solar Victoria, is specifically designed to help renters benefit from solar power.
Under this program, landlords can apply for a rebate of up to $1,400 to install solar panels on a rental property, and they can also apply for an interest-free loan of up to $1,400 to further reduce upfront costs. The goal is to make it easier for landlords to invest in solar while allowing tenants to enjoy lower electricity bills.
The key point is that the rebate goes to the property owner, not the tenant. However, tenants benefit through reduced power bills and improved energy efficiency.
So while renters can’t directly claim the rebate themselves, they can still benefit from it if their landlord participates in the program. If you’re renting, it’s worth having a conversation with your landlord about the Solar for Rentals program, especially if the property is suitable for solar.
Yes, solar is still very much worth it without a solar battery.
For most Victorian residents, a battery-free solar system provides significant savings by reducing the amount of electricity they need to buy from the grid during the day. In many areas, net metering allows you to send excess solar energy back to the grid in exchange for credits, which can offset your power usage at night. This makes it possible to benefit from solar energy around the clock, even without storing it yourself. Additionally, not installing a battery keeps upfront costs lower, making the system more affordable and improving your return on investment.
While batteries are helpful for backup power during outages or to maximise energy independence, they’re not essential for most people.
Yes, the Solar Rebate can apply to batteries.
From July 1st 2025, owners of new or existing solar systems will be able to claim a rebate under the Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Battery scheme.
This rebate will provide an upfront rebate for the installation of solar battery systems from 5 kWh to 50 kWh capacity. The value of the rebate will be based on the usable capacity of the battery. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/programs/cheaper-home-batteries
Yes, you will be able to tell how much electricity your solar system is generating. Our solar energy systems come with a monitoring system that tracks real-time and historical data on energy production. This is accessible through a mobile app.
Yes, Victoria, absolutely receives enough sun to make solar worth it. While it’s not as sunny as Queensland or WA, Victoria still gets a solid amount of sun, making solar panels a smart investment.
On average, solar panels in Victoria generate about 3.5 – 4 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per kilowatt of panels per day. That means a typical 6.6 kW system can produce around 23–26 kWh per day, which is enough to cover most or even all of a household’s electricity needs, especially if you time your usage to match solar output.
When you combine that with the Victorian solar rebates, potential feed-in tariffs, and rising electricity prices, solar panels can significantly reduce your energy bills and pay for themselves in as little as 4–6 years. Over a 25+ year lifespan, that’s thousands of dollars in savings, even in Melbourne’s cooler, cloudier months.
So yes, Victoria definitely gets enough sun to make solar financially and environmentally worthwhile.
No, the government does not directly pay for part of your solar system. Instead, the cost is reduced by the value of the Small-Scale technology Certificates (STCs) generated by the system. This mechanism effectively lowers the upfront cost without the government making a direct payment.
To qualify for STCs, you must meet the following:
You can read more about claiming the solar rebate and stacking STCs to reduce the cost here.
The current legislation for the solar incentive is set to continue until the end of 2030, gradually reducing each year before phasing out completely in 2031.
Solar panels offer numerous benefits that make them an appealing choice for energy generation. As a renewable energy source, solar power is abundant and sustainable, allowing individuals and businesses to harness the sun’s energy without depleting resources. One of the most immediate advantages is the potential to significantly reduce electricity bills; by generating your own electricity, you can lower your energy costs and even sell excess energy back to the grid in some cases.
Additionally, solar panels have a positive environmental impact, producing clean energy without greenhouse gas emissions, which helps combat climate change and reduce air pollution.
The solar rebate is a federal government initiative designed to make solar energy more affordable for homes and businesses. Rather than a traditional rebate, it operates through the generation of Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which provide a financial contribution based on the system’s maximum output. While many people refer to it as a rebate, it is officially categorised as a financial incentive or point-of-sale discount to encourage the adoption of solar technology.
Fill out the quick enquiry form and one of our experts will get back to you promptly.
Through the Energy Makeovers Solutions, we partner with accredited local businesses to deliver energy-efficient upgrades. Your local partner will assess your needs, provide a tailored quote, and complete the installation. Energy Makeovers supports the management of the government rebate process, helping eligible customers access available incentives.
