newy.com.au – Eligible NSW households can now apply for zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 to help pay for energy-saving upgrades under the Minns Labor Government’s $557 million Home Energy Saver program.
The program, which opened on 17 June, is designed to make cost-cutting home improvements more affordable for families facing the upfront expense of rooftop solar, household batteries, insulation, reverse-cycle air-conditioning, switchboard upgrades, ceiling fans and draught-proofing.
Households with a combined taxable income of up to $210,000 can access loans to cover up to $15,000 in upgrades, to be repaid over 10 years. The loan stream is a $480 million commitment and is expected to benefit more than 32,000 households.
A second part of the program will provide targeted discounts of up to $4,000 later in 2026 for households with a combined annual income of up to $80,000, or eligible concession card holders. That stream is worth $77 million. Households seeking both a discount and a zero-interest loan for a single upgrade are advised to apply for the discount first, then seek a loan for the remaining cost.
Discounts will also be available to renters, provided they have their landlord’s permission to carry out the upgrades.
The government says energy-efficient upgrades can lower monthly power bills and make homes more comfortable year-round, including cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Just over half of all houses in NSW already have solar, while 13,000 new batteries are being installed across the state each month.
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the program would help more local residents access upgrades that had previously been out of reach.
“Energy-saving upgrades can provide great financial relief for households, but the upfront costs have made them simply out of reach for many,” he said.
“The Home Energy Saver Program will put power back into the hands of local residents to lower their energy bills and make the change to cleaner energy.”
“Newcastle is leading the charge in the transition to renewable energy and this program will go a long way to building a more resilient and self-sufficient energy grid for the whole community.”
Applications and further information are available at www.energy.nsw.gov.au/home-energy-saver.
