The NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC) has announced several proposed changes to the current Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) for hot water system upgrades. The changes are intended to improve energy savings in hot water system upgrades, ensure consumers have more stake and thus interest in their upgrade process, and align current ‘hypothetical’ energy savings calculations with real-world results. Through this exercise, the government hopes to enhance customer engagement while also ensuring energy savings are more accurately calculated.

Co-payments: increasing customer engagement

Some upgrades under the ESS have required co-payments since 2014. These payments have helped make upgrades under the ESS more accessible to households and businesses. However, the current $30 (ex GST) co-payment for residential hot water system upgrades and the lack of similar co-payments for small businesses and commercial upgrades have presented challenges. These include reduced customer engagement, a perceived lack of legitimacy, and increased instances of high-pressure sales tactics.

Efficient Energy Group (EEG) is an accredited certificate provider (ACP), and the company’s CEO, Joshua Liptak, says the rationale behind co-payments is sound. “They’re there to encourage customer participation in their upgrade projects and help offset the cost of the upgrade. However, the problem for the OECC and the government is that when it’s set too low, customers may not be engaged enough to ensure they receive a quality product. Conversely, set the co-payment too high, and it may deter them from getting upgrades done at all. The effectiveness of co-payments therefore depends on the right balance being struck between these two elements, and that’s what these proposed changes are trying to do.” He added, “The current co-payment also doesn’t adequately factor in the high value of the products being installed, which then risks subpar upgrades.”

The new NSW ESS hot water system upgrade co-payment proposals

To help resolve these issues, Liptak says the OECC has proposed the government implement a revised co-payment structure for hot water system upgrades that encourages better customer engagement and ensures quality products are used. This change will see a uniform $200 (ex GST) co-payment introduced across all hot water upgrades—residential, small business, and commercial.

Summary of NSW ESS hot water system upgrade co-payment changes

According to Liptak, the government is therefore seeking to implement the following changes:

1. Introduction of a new minimum $200 (ex GST) co-payment for each water heater installed in Activity Definitions D17-D21
2. Inclusion of a minimum $200 (ex-GST) co-payment for each commercial heat pump hot water heater installed in Activity Definitions F16 and F17

Further to these, the existing $30 (ex GST) co-payment for the entire residential and small business lighting upgrade in Schedule E will remain in place, at least for the time being.

Revised baselines for accuracy

In other proposed changes, Liptak says that the OECC has found “there is a significant gap between ‘theoretical and real-world’ energy savings with respect to hot water use. To rectify this, the government will seek to revise its baselines so they better reflect a real-world daily hot water usage pattern. The OECC recommends dropping this baseline from the current 60 litres to 45 litres per person per day and splitting calculations across the state’s 2 heat pump hot water climate zones.”

IPART also announces independent testing of ESS listed products

Furthermore, scheme regulators IPART (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW) have announced they will also initiate independent testing of products listed under the ESS to ensure they comply with the necessary efficiency and reliability standards. This will help reduce the incidence of complaints about subpar equipment and increase the longevity of the scheme.

Key distinction: NSW ESS co-payment coverage

It’s important to note that co-payment coverage differs between schedules. In Schedule E, covering lighting and other equipment upgrades, the co-payment applies to the entire implementation. In schedules D and F, it applies to each item of end-user equipment listed on the product register.

Proposed implementation timeframes

The proposed changes are currently undergoing an industry consultation process and are expected to take effect around 3 months after the conclusion of that process.

Efficient energy group: your trusted acp partner for hot water system upgrades

Efficient Energy Group (EEG) is an accredited certificate provider (ACP) working with the NSW government to help reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gases, and power bills throughout NSW, Queensland, and Victoria.

Justin Lance Marcel Lavadia

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Justin Lavadia is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum with a diverse writing background spanning various niches and formats. With a wealth of experience, he brings clarity and concise communication to digital content. His expertise lies in crafting engaging content and delivering impactful narratives that resonate with readers.

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