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Why use the VEU program?
Save money for your business
- Small businesses can save up to $500 annually, and larger businesses up to $74,000 annually by investing in an upgrade through the VEU program.
- Efficiency electric alternatives are cheaper to run than gas appliances. Now is an opportune time to leverage the program and make the switch to electric.
Invest in discounted energy-efficient products
- Access rebates and discounts on a range of appliances and equipment, from hot water, space heating and cooling, refrigeration, to custom upgrades.
Help save the environment
- Your business can contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing energy consumption and transitioning to electric solutions.
- Electrifying businesses is crucial for meeting the state’s 2030 emissions reduction targets. Over 167,000 businesses have benefitted from the program since 2009.
How to receive a discount
Option 1: Accredited provider installation
- Choose the eligible upgrade listed with Essential Services Commission.
- The VEU accredited provider provides an upfront discount to you.
- The VEU accredited provider completes the installation of an approved product.
Option 2: Choose your own installer
- Choose the eligible upgrade listed with Essential Services Commission.
- Hire a qualified tradesperson partnered with an accredited provider to handle the paperwork and secure your discount.
- Choose an eligible product.
Your qualified tradesperson:
- provides a quote including the discount
- completes the installation of an approved product
- returns completed forms to the accredited provider to process the discount.
Eligibility
Some Victorian large energy consuming facilities are exempt from the program. This means these sites cannot participate in the program unless they opt-in.
The Essential Services Commission (ESC), which administers the VEU program, maintains a register of addresses so that businesses and accredited providers can identify which facilities cannot access incentives.
For further information, visit the Register of Scheduled Activity Premises on the ESC website.
Case study: Tony's VEU experience
Tony Dutton is the General Manager of the TarraWarra Museum of Art in the Yarra Valley. He explained how the not-for-profit gallery has installed high-efficiency chillers and solar panels to reduce their energy use and increase their rebates under the VEU program.
During the peak of COVID in 2021, one of the chillers at the TarraWarra Museum of Art broke down.
Tony contacted a building services company that provides HVAC&R management to install an energy-efficient chiller instead of a like-for-like replacement. For many museums and galleries, air conditioning and lighting come at a significant financial and environmental cost.
“When you have to keep humidity and temperature within a rigid set of parameters, energy costs are always significant. Any way to bring these down is a great benefit,” Tony said.
In addition to the chiller, they replaced 200 old light stocks with 70 LED wall washer lights, reducing their light stock and increasing savings.
Tony described the co-benefits associated with advanced chiller technology: “Every time the old chiller broke down, I would get an email,” he explained. “The new chiller technology gives us access to integrated maintenance support. People can assist us from wherever they are and reset the machine if we lose power. Issues are resolved far more efficiently and quickly.”
After the successful chiller upgrade, they received 1,200 Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) and a rebate that was almost double what they expected.
“They allow you to purchase higher-quality products that save you a lot of money in the long run. It’s definitely worth the upfront investment,” Tony added.
For businesses and not-for-profits, the program offers enormous financial and environmental benefits.
“It’s good for people to see you’re moving forward and embracing renewable energy too, he said.
"It shows you’re doing the right thing."
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Page last updated: 25/07/24