4 July 2022
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has commenced public consultations on revising water heating and space heating/cooling activities within the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.
DELWP is looking to expand the range of energy efficiency upgrades (activities) available under the VEU program and ensure that existing activities are fit for purpose. As the emissions intensity of electricity supplied by the grid is falling, high-efficiency electric fuelled appliances offer strong emissions reduction potential when replacing inefficient appliances fuelled by gas or electricity. As outlined in the Gas Roadmap, the VEU program is important in supporting the move to efficient electric appliances.
The purpose of these consultations is to seek the views of interested stakeholders on these issues papers and proposed Regulations and Specifications for these activities.
Water Heating Activities consultation
The Water Heating Activities Issues Paper and Draft Specifications detail the following:
- introduction of new activities that incentivise the replacement of inefficient gas water heaters with efficient solar electric or heat pump water heaters
- proposed revision of existing activities to allow for solar electric and heat pump water heaters modelled to AS/NZS 4234:2021 to register and create VEECs
- transition calculations which allow for existing registrations to AS/NZS 4234:2008 to remain on the register and continue to create VEECs
- removal of existing upgrade scenarios which incentivise the installation of gas-fuelled water heaters
- introduction of a threshold on the global warming potential of refrigerants used in heat pump water heaters installed in the VEU program.
Space Heating and Cooling Activities consultation
The Space Heating and Cooling Activities Issues Paper and Draft Specifications detail the following:
- consolidation of space heating and cooling activities into one overarching activity
- introduction of new activities that incentivise the replacement of inefficient gas space heating appliances with reverse cycle air conditioners (RCAC)
- proposed transition and removal of some existing upgrade scenarios
- allowance of products registered to the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Air Conditioners up to 65kW) Determination 2019 (GEMS 2019 Determination) to be installed under the VEU program
- introduction of new greenhouse gas abatement calculations to align with the new measures for heating and cooling energy efficiency used in the GEMS 2019 Determination
- introduction of a threshold on the global warming potential of refrigerants used in RCAC installed in the VEU program.
Feedback from submissions will guide the revision and implementation of these 2 activities. Stakeholders can submit feedback through the Engage Victoria website:
Consultation on both papers will close on 1 August 2022.
Page last updated: 20/09/22