What the veec? how air con is more affordable than ever
KEY POINTS
- Energy Victoria announced a scheme for heating and cooling households.
- The scheme revolves around issuing VEECs – Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates.
- Aimed at reducing power bills and reducing stress on the grid, the initiative targets not just homeowners but also landlords, encouraging broader solar adoption across the state.
- The price of VEECs fluctuates and is currently selling for a high rate, perfect for those looking to buy now!
Hey there, Victorians! Ready to discover how to save big bucks while staying cool? Let’s dive into the world of Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) and see how they’re helping you pocket some serious savings when installing air conditioners. Trust me, this is a game-changer you don’t want to miss out on.
What are VEECs?
First things first, let’s get the basics straight. VEECs, or Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates, are part of the Victorian Energy Upgrades program designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage energy efficiency. When you install energy-efficient appliances, like air conditioners, you earn VEECs, which can be traded for cash. Think of them as a reward for making eco-friendly choices that benefit both your wallet and the planet. If you want a more in-depth look, we’ve written a previous article here about VEECs.
How Much Can You Save?
Here’s the exciting part. VEECs are currently trading at over $100 each, and the amount you can earn varies depending on the unit you’re replacing. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Single Split Reverse Cycle Systems: Replacing a wall-mounted gas unit can get you up to $2,000 off.
- Multi Split Systems: If you’re swapping out an old gas ducted heating system, you could save up to $3,600.
- Ducted Reverse Cycle Systems: Upgrading from an old gas ducted system? You might see savings as high as $5,600.
These figures aren’t just numbers; they’re real savings that can make a significant dent in your installation costs. And with VEEC prices on the rise, now is the perfect time to take advantage of these incentives.
Why Choose Lightning Energy for Your Installation?
Now, you might be wondering “Why should I go with Lightning Energy for my air conditioner installation?”, here’s the deal: Not many AC installers are registered to trade VEECs as this is a newly introduced scheme. That means they can’t offer you the same level of savings that we can.
But here at Lightning Energy, we’re already registered and cleared to trade VEECs thanks to our work in the solar sector. This registration allows us to pass those savings directly onto you, much like we do with Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for solar panels. So, when you choose us, you’re not just getting an air conditioner—you’re getting it at a fraction of the cost!
Real-Life Impact
Let’s put this into perspective with some real-life scenarios. Imagine you’ve been struggling with an old, inefficient gas ducted heating system. Not only is it expensive to run, but it’s also not doing a great job of keeping your home comfortable. Upgrading to a ducted reverse cycle system through Lightning Energy could save you up to $5,600 off the installation cost, thanks to VEECs!
Or, perhaps you have a wall-mounted gas unit that’s seen better days. A single split reverse cycle system can make a world of difference in your home’s comfort levels and energy efficiency. And with up to $2,000 off, the upgrade becomes much more affordable.
Beyond the immediate financial benefits, participating in the VEEC program contributes to a larger goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability. By choosing energy-efficient appliances, you’re playing a part in creating a greener future for Victoria. It’s a win-win situation—saving money and saving the planet.
Ready to Make the Switch?
So, are you ready to cash in on the savings and upgrade your air conditioning system? Don’t let old, inefficient systems drain your wallet and your comfort. With VEECs, you have the power to make a smart, eco-friendly choice that benefits both your bank account and the environment.
At Lightning Energy, we’re all about empowering you to take control of your energy future. Our mission is to lead from the front, providing transparent, real-world solutions that make a difference. By choosing us for your air conditioning needs, you’re not just getting a service—you’re joining a movement toward energy independence and sustainability.
Ready to make the switch? Contact us today and let’s get started on your journey to a cooler, more efficient home. Own your power, save big, and join the energy revolution with Lightning Energy!
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Written By:
Luke Cove
Managing Director
Lightning Energy
9 thoughts on “How Victorians Are Cashing in VEECs When Replacing Their Air Conditioners”
I have an energy efficient instantaneous gas hot water system in three bathrooms and a less efficient hydronic heating system covering the whole house powered by a gas boiler. What would be the cost of replacing each of these systems with reverse cycle electric air conditioners?
I have a very old split system,from around the turn of the century i believe. Am i still eligible for veecs?
G’day Ross,
I do believe you would have eligibility for VEECs, the exact number depends on your postcode, The specifics on the system being replaced and what system is replacing it. From what I’ve seen historically, the amount of VEECS would be less than a gas system, I personally believe there’s still a valid point in updating your system if your budget permits. Newer reverse cycle systems have a better SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) and SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient Of Performance), in layman’s terms, they’re just ratings on energy consumption to heat and cool a space. Keep your eyes peeled for a blog where I get a bit more in depth about the advances in AC Tech!
-Luke
I Would like a price on split system please to replace a gas consul heater. 3 bedroom 1 large living area 3×3.5 updated metre box.
Hi Sandra,
I saw that you submitted you details on a Facebook ad recently, I’ve put Blake, one of our best system designers, on your case, he’ll be in touch shortly!
-Luke
Hi Luke ,
Angelica at Solar Victoria (1300376396) told me on Friday 4.30pm 20/9/24 that there were no Victorian state rebates for a landlord owner who rents a property in Victoria when they wish to install a hot water heat pump in their rental property.
Moreover and separately there are minimal or few Victorian rebates for an owner occupier in their own occupied property if they have received Solar Victoria rebates before for solar panel and battery in the past .
Do these concepts fit and agree with your understanding of eligibility for solar rebates in Victoria .
ps where is your showrooms in Victoria for lightning energy … Peter Williams. Email [email protected]
Hi Peter!
Yes, that is correct for the solar hot water rebate that you need to be the owner-occupier to be eligible along with some other criteria, although you are able to get an aircon system for rental properties and be eligible for VEECs, like we mention in this post. The Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) centre around a different scheme offered by the Essential Services Commission/Energy Victoria to replace inefficient air con units with more energy efficient models, you actually get a few of these VEECs when getting a heat pump which factors into part of the discounts you receive when purchasing an approved unit along with the Solar Vic rebate (if eligible), although it is less than you would receive for replacing your air cons.
Our showroom is located at 1 Waverley Rd, Malvern East 3145, I encourage you to make a booking to meet as we do get busy and if you have a meeting booked you will take priority, hope this helped Peter!
– Luke
Hi Luke,
I have a ducted gas system for my entire house.
One person has informed me that new ducting needs to replace the gas ducting however I now see advertisements that use the old gas ducts.
Who is correct and is there any long term repercussions to using the old gas ducts?
Hi Pat,
Old ducting can be used when replacing just a heater or if the ducting is of the correct sizing. We almost always replace ducting for 2 reasons when quoting jobs. The first is that those ducts are usually quite old and likely to be very dirty, if a system is blowing dust through the ducts it can be bad for your family’s health and if it’s blowing parts of its insulating foil through the vents as the ducting breaks down, it can cause blockages and issues further down the line, these issues are especially more common when they are disturbed during the retrofit process. The second reason we usually replace the ducting is for efficiency reasons, thinner ducting (usually R1) was fine for heating a couple of years ago but with the advances in technology with reverse cycle systems it is now critical to install the correct ducting for the job.
R1.5 is a much more efficient type of ducting, allowing less heat to escape. According to Energy Vic, when a temperature difference between inside the ducts and the surrounding air is 35°C, R1 ducting will lose ~1750 Watts of heat energy (1 Watt is equal to about 1 joule per second) whereas the R1.5 Ducting will only lose ~1160W, saving 583W of heat energy escaping. This leads to your reverse cycle system not needing to work as hard to keep your house at your desired temperature, leading to lower energy consumption and lower energy bills! If going ducted, we also encourage looking into upgrading your ceiling insulation, as up to 35% of your home’s heat can be lost through the ceiling in the winter and 35% of the heat is able to get into your house through the roof in the summer. You can learn more about insulation here and I’ll look into writing a more in-depth blog post about it in the future!
-Luke