Sustainable News

On 8 July 2025, the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (the Department) released the Victorian Energy Upgrades changes, which have been made to the minimum product requirements of Part 44 to remove products that are also registered as domestic HPWH activities in the VEU scheme (Parts 1D and 3C). Specifically:

- Only HPWHs with an insulated storage volume greater than 700 litres (L) will be eligible for installation under Part 44.

- For HPWH systems with multiple insulated tanks, the average insulated storage volume of the system must be greater than 700 L.

- Adjustments have been made to the calculations used to determine the number of Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) for eligible upgrades under Part 44:

- Registered products with an insulated storage volume greater than 700 L and a heat pump thermal capacity above 10 kilowatts (kW) remain unaffected.

- Registered products that meet the new minimum product requirements but have a heat pump thermal capacity below 10 kW will now be subject to a scaling load factor, with a maximum value of one (1).

Up to $2,940 in  Government rebates. 

Government rebates Secure Government rebates when you upgrade to a high efficiency air conditioner.  You can access discounts to lower the cost of installing a new energy-efficient air conditioner or replacing your old one with a more efficient model in NSW and Victoria.

In Victoria replacing a Ducted (whole-of-home) gas   heater with a Multi-split system:

(1 x 10kW outdoor unit) can secure Up to $2,940 in Victorian Government rebates.  Upgrading to a more energy-efficient air conditioner can help you:  

*Save money on your power bills

*Reduce maintenance costs with newer systems that are more efficient and reliable  

*Reduce your emissions and be an active part of helping net zero by 2050.

Discounts on ceiling insulation will be available to eligible households from early 2026, with the Victorian Government working to introduce the activity as a Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) initiative.

It will now be supported by the VEU, making it affordable and very a very affordable way of reducing heat gain and loss. The investment will help Victorians save on energy costs while making homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer, helping households to save while delivering health benefits. Almost 60% of homes in Victoria either have no ceiling insulation or are under-insulated, meaning many households could see significant energy bill savings of more than $400 per year on average and up to $850 on health cost savings per year by upgrading their insulation.

From November 1 2024, there will be a new NSW Solar Battery Rebate which is an initiative to help home and business owners afford solar battery systems.

Homeowners and businesses with existing rooftop solar systems will soon be able to take advantage of the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) incentives to further help cut the cost of your electricity bills.

If you’re eligible for this rebate, you could access incentives:

• between $1600 to $2400 off the up-front installation costs of a battery for homes and businesses with existing solar, depending on the size of the battery
• between $250 to $400 for connecting your household or business battery to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). This incentive is available twice, a minimum of 3 years apart.

For homes and businesses without solar, the incentive can be priced into a quote for a new installation. Eligible customers will also be able to connect to a VPP, allowing you to make the most of your solar energy generation and reduce your electricity bills.