2199594145

Victorian businesses can reduce overhead costs while shrinking their carbon footprints thanks to the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.

What is the VEU, you might be wondering, and how can it benefit your business?

This government initiative provides sizable rebates and free upgrades for energy-efficient equipment. It encourages businesses to replace outdated air conditioning, refrigeration, and hot water systems with more sustainable and cost-effective solutions.

The program has indeed been highly successful. Since 2009:

• The VEU program has assisted more than 1.8 million households and 100,000 businesses in becoming more energy-efficient.
• Victoria has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by over 60 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent.
• It has saved about $4 billion in energy costs.

The program’s incentives make it easier for businesses to upgrade their equipment, reduce energy consumption, and enjoy long-term savings on operational expenses.

Under the VEU program, businesses can receive an air conditioning rebate. The incentive compensates businesses in part for costs incurred to replace inefficient systems with more energy-efficient models.

The upgrade to multi-head split systems, for example, lets companies cool several rooms with one outdoor unit. A targeted cooling approach reduces energy consumption and thus operating costs by up to 25%.

The savings extend beyond energy efficiency. By switching to modern air conditioning systems, businesses gain better control over heating and cooling zones. That leads to more comfortable workspaces. Improved comfort then boosts employee productivity and satisfaction. It ultimately creates an overall better work environment.

While the VEU program targets businesses, owners of residential properties can also get in on the financial incentives. Efficient air conditioning saves homeowners money on energy bills while minimizing damage to the environment. Of course, since residential properties generally consume less energy, the rebates might be smaller than those awarded to businesses.

The VEU program further assists businesses with high refrigeration demands, such as in the hospitality, retail, and food service industries. Commercial refrigeration units are major energy consumers, particularly those that are more than 10 years old. That’s because out-of-date systems guzzle large amounts of energy. They also need more frequent and expensive repairs, further driving up operating expenses.

The VEU’s Energy Savings Scheme provides generous rebates when businesses upgrade to energy-efficient refrigeration systems. Depending on the scale of operation, businesses can cut energy consumption by as much as 15-35% when they invest in new models with energy-efficient compressors and advanced cooling technology. Participants can drastically reduce their energy bills and carbon footprints.

Businesses that upgrade to modern refrigeration are also better positioned to meet government mandates on energy efficiency. Consequently, they avoid fines and other penalties in the future.

When upgrading to energy-efficient refrigeration systems, there are also considerable environmental benefits. Newer models use eco-friendly refrigerants, and they are designed with improved insulation, further reducing both energy use and the emission of greenhouse gasses.

Perhaps the most attractive feature of the VEU program is the complimentary hot water upgrades it offers businesses. Many companies – especially those related to hospitality, healthcare, and food production – have substantial hot water needs. Most of these older hot water systems consume massive quantities of energy, skyrocketing utility bills in the process.

Through the VEU program, companies can install energy-efficient hot water systems free of charge. Heat pump water heaters move heat from the air into the water. They require much less electricity compared with traditional electric water heaters. Solar hot water systems likewise heat water using energy from the sun, thereby greatly reducing their energy consumption. Both options translate to savings over time.

How do businesses qualify for VEU rebates?

To participate in the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, companies must first meet certain eligibility criteria. These qualifications include:

• Upgrade old equipment with new systems.
• Work with an accredited provider like Efficient Energy Group.
• Selected products must be approved by the government and installed by licensed installers.
• Only those decommissioning old systems can qualify for the rebate.

With Efficient Energy Group as an accredited provider, businesses can truly harness the VEU program. They can unlock its full value and start saving on energy costs right away. The financial incentives complement the long-term savings on utility bills. Thus, upgrades to energy-efficient systems are a sound investment for Victorian businesses of all sizes.

The Victorian Energy Upgrades program offers a way for your business to lower operational costs and act more environmentally responsible. This is especially true for business operations that are highly reliant on energy-intensive systems like air conditioning, refrigeration, and hot water.