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A custom upgrade under the VEU program is specific to an energy efficiency project at a business premises.

Custom upgrades are tailored to specific technologies, such as:

  • Process heat and steam
  • HVAC
  • Refrigeration systems
  • Fans and motors
  • Renewable energy.

The customer upgrades approach is useful for larger projects, because the measurement and verification process requires a qualified professional and therefore involves a higher cost of participation.

To be eligible, your project must reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It is important to speak to an accredited provider before you undertake a custom upgrade.

Victoria’s largest energy users are not eligible unless they opt in to participate. For further information visit Victorian Energy Upgrades for businesses.

How to undertake a custom upgrade

One way to receive a rebate through a custom upgrade is using the Measurement and Verification (M&V) method.

This is how the M&V method works:

  1. Reach out to an accredited provider and find out what products you can install to help you save energy.
  2. The accredited provider will work with you to measure your current energy use and develop a plan to measure savings before the upgrade.
  3. Once the accredited provider has completed the upgrade, you can measure your new energy use and compare it to your previous usage.
  4. The accredited provider will verify and validate the accuracy of the calculated savings.
  5. Through the accredited provider, you can then claim a rebate through the VEU program based on the calculated and verified savings.

Custom upgrades for the Yarra Centre, Yarra Junction

The Yarra Ranges Council is actively working towards a 30% reduction in emissions by 2020.

Working with a local accredited provider, the council installed efficient air-conditioning and upgraded the building management system to help conserve energy.

The council also upgraded old boiler systems, used to heat the centre’s public pool, to brand new energy efficient systems.

Through the M&V method, the Yarra Centre has been able to improve conditions within the pool area and anticipates energy savings of up to 30% thanks to the new boilers.

With the M&V method, the council measured their energy use before and after the project was implemented to understand how these upgrades influenced their energy use.

In addition to saving on their annual energy bills, the centre expects to save 2,620 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the project and are estimated to provide $50,000 back to the centre for the project.

Find an accredited provider in your area

Page last updated: 23/07/24