Since 2009, Victorian Energy Upgrades have helped businesses reap financial rewards and uphold environmental responsibility by offering rebates and free upgrades to energy-efficient equipment.
Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) incentivise replacing outdated and energy-intensive air conditioning, refrigeration and hot water systems with sustainable and cost-effective solutions.
According to the State Government, the success of the program is evident in the fact that more than 1.8 million households and 100,000 businesses have enlisted VEU’s assistance and guidance. Moreover, Victoria has decreased greenhouse gas emissions by over 60 million tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent material and saved approximately $4 billion in energy costs.
A two-pronged approach to energy efficiency
VEU says the value of the upgrade lies in the transition to sustainable solutions delivering both financial and energy efficiency.
For example, businesses that opt for the air-conditioning rebate will receive an upgrade to a multi-head split system and subsequently cool several rooms with one outdoor unit. Such a targeted cooling approach slashes energy consumption and operating costs by up to 25 percent.
A switch to contemporary air-conditioning systems equips businesses with tighter control over heating and cooling zones. This ability to regulate temperature leads to appropriately chilled or heated workspaces conducive to bursts of productivity and studiousness.
Households are also invited to claim the rebate, however as residential properties churn through less energy, the rebates are predictably smaller than business rebates.
Hospitality industry targeted
Industries plagued by high refrigeration demands and costs such as hospitality, retail and food service will delight in VEU’s refrigeration rebates. Commercial refrigeration units over 10 years old are major energy-drainers and demand ongoing and expensive repairs.
VEU’s Energy Savings Scheme offers substantial rebates for businesses that upgrade to new models with improved insulation, energy-efficient compressors and advanced cooling technology – energy consumption will be slashed by up to 15 to 35 percent. Additionally, businesses that embrace this upgrade opportunity will be better placed to adhere to government energy-efficiency mandates and avoid future fines and penalties.
Benefits of heat pump systems
VEU provides complimentary hot water system upgrades for businesses with hefty hot water needs, including hospitality, food production and mission-critical sectors such as healthcare. Old hot water systems are notorious energy guzzlers and contribute to expensive utility bills.
The VEU program allows companies to implement energy-efficient systems into facilities and buildings without any additional cost. Electric water heaters are energy-drainers, while heat pump water systems transfer heat from the air into the water and call for minimal electricity. Solar hot water systems similarly rely on energy from the sun to warm water – decreasing energy consumption and leading to sizable savings over time.
Interested businesses are required to meet eligibility criteria, namely the willingness to upgrade outdated equipment with new systems, collaborate with an accredited provider such as the Energy Efficient Group and allow the state government to approve products and contract a licensed installer to perform the upgrade.
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