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Frequently asked questions

The right insulation and ventilation provides year-round comfort and cuts your energy bills.

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air-conditioner

Can I Install the Air Conditioning myself and still receive the discount?

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.

How to qualify for the Air Conditioner Rebate in Victoria?

To qualify: 

  • Must be a Victorian resident 
  • Existing system should be gas ducted, gas wall mounted, electric resistance, slab heating existing or existing non efficient air conditioning. 
  • Property must be over 2 years old. 
  • Product must be approved under the VEU program 

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. 

What are the costs involved in upgrading to an energy-efficient Air Conditioner?

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. 

How do I apply for the Air Conditioning discount?

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. 

How do I upgrade?

To upgrade, contact our team on 1300 788 776 to arrange a FREE Energy Efficiency Assessment. 

What are the benefits of upgrading to an energy efficient Air Conditioner?

  • Energy efficient systems use far less power than conventional heating and cooling units, helping you save more money on your utility bills. 
  • Experience comfort all year long with an advanced air conditioning system that allows you to control the temperature remotely through WIFI. 
  • Lower the maintenance costs associated with the upkeep and servicing of ducted gas heating

energy-efficiency-schemes

What is the VEU Program?

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. 

What is the ESS Program?

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.

https://energymakeovers.com.au/commercial/government-incentives/heer-program/

What is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme?

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. 

https://cer.gov.au/schemes/renewable-energy-target/small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme#:~:text=The%20Small%2Dscale%20Renewable%20Energy%20Scheme%20is%20an%20Australian%20Government,and%20air%20sourced%20heat%20pumps.

How are the incentives applied?

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. 

Is my business eligible for the NSW Energy Savings Scheme?

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. 

How much will I save if I upgrade my business to LED through NSW Energy Savings Scheme?

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 

How can I make my business more energy efficient?

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 energyTo determine the most effective upgrades for your business, we recommend speaking with one of our energy efficiency consultants on 1300 778 776.

fees-and-charges

Are there mandatory scheme payments?

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. 

What is defined as a standard installation for Air-Conditioning?

Standard Installation includes: 

  • Metro Melbourne 
  • Relocation within 8m of switchboard 
  • External installation only 
  • Decommissioning of existing unit 
  • Single Story 
  • Tile Roof 

Excluding: 

  • Switchboard Upgrade (Price on Application) 
  • Removal of existing system  
  • Non tile roof 
  • Condensation Pump for internal wall
  • Multi-story 
  • Additional cable run 

Will I be charged an additional cost if my home is multi-storey for my Air-Conditioning installation?

Yes, the multi-story installation fee is $2,000.

Is there a regional service surcharge?

Yes, a Regional Service Fee applies for Installations greater then 150Km from CBD VIC and NSW across all installations.

hot-water

Can I get a Solar Vic Rebate for my Heat Pump?

To be eligible for the Solar Victoria Hot Water Rebate, you must: 

  • Be the owner-occupier of an existing property where the system will be installed. 
  • Household taxable income of all owners combined is less than $210,000 per year. 
  • The value of the property is under $3 million. 
  • The property address has not already received a hot water or a solar battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program 
  • the hot water system to be replaced is at least 3 years old from the date of purchase 
  • you received a Solar Homes rebate and/or loan but have moved house. You can apply for another incentive at your new address as an owner-occupier if the property has not received these rebates before. 

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. 

 https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/hot-water-rebate

What are the benefits of upgrading to a Hot Water Heat Pump?

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

What rebates are available for Hot Water Heat Pumps?

Victorian and NSW households and businesses can take advantage of a range of different government rebates when upgrading to an energy-efficient heat pumps including VEECs, ESCs and STCs.

The rebates 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. 

What is a hot water heat pump?

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

lighting

Why upgrade to LED?

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.

What is the lifespan of LED?

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. 

Is my business eligible for an LED upgrade?

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. 

What does it cost to upgrade to LED?

The cost of upgrading to LED varies depending on your location.

What are LEDs?

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. 

plus-more

What are Door Seals and am I eligible?

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​​.

What is an Air Vent cover and am I eligible?

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. 

What is an Exhaust Fan and am I eligible?

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. 

What is a chimney damper and am I eligible?

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. 

What is an In-home Display and am I eligible?

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. 

What other energy efficiency products are offered?

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.

Am I eligible for a showerhead replacement?

To be eligible for a showerhead replacement:

  • you must be a Victorian resident
  • replace an existing inefficient showerhead with a flow rate above 9 litres per minute or below 3 stars.

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.

solar

Does the government pay part of the cost of my system?

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.

How do I qualify for STC’s?

To qualify for STC’s, you mut meet the following: 

  • Solar PV system must be less than 100kW in size. 
  • The components (panels are inverters) must be approved for use in Australia by the Clean Energy Council. 
  • The system must be installed and designed by a CEC accredited professional. 

How long is the incentive available for?

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.

What are the benefits of Solar?

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. 

What is the Solar Rebate?

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 categorized as a financial incentive or point-of-sale discount to encourage the adoption of solar technology. 

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