LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs — DOE
    Turning off lights when leaving saves $30-50/year per household — ENERGY STAR
    Standby power ('vampire load') can account for 5-10% of home energy use — DOE
    ENERGY STAR certified TVs use 25% less energy than standard models
    Programmable thermostats can save about 10% on heating/cooling — DOE
    Sealing air leaks can save 10-20% on heating and cooling costs — ENERGY STAR
    Heat pumps can reduce heating energy use by 50% vs. electric resistance — DOE
    Ceiling fans allow you to raise AC settings 4°F with no comfort loss — DOE
    Heating water accounts for about 18% of home energy use — DOE
    Low-flow showerheads save 2,700 gallons/year for a family of four — EPA
    Washing clothes in cold water can save $60+/year on water heating — ENERGY STAR
    Fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000+ gallons/year — EPA
    ENERGY STAR refrigerators use 9% less energy than standard models
    Clean refrigerator coils annually for optimal efficiency — DOE
    Air-drying dishes instead of heat-dry saves 15-50% on dishwasher energy — DOE
    Proper attic insulation can cut heating/cooling costs by 15% — ENERGY STAR
    Windows can account for 25-30% of home heating/cooling energy use — DOE
    Window film can reduce solar heat gain by up to 70% — DOE
    Average US home solar system offsets 3-4 tons of CO₂ annually — EPA
    Solar panel costs have dropped 70%+ over the past decade — SEIA
    EVs cost about 60% less to fuel than gas vehicles — DOE
    Proper tire inflation improves gas mileage by 0.6% on average — DOE
    The average US household spends $2,000+/year on energy — EIA
    ENERGY STAR products have saved Americans $500 billion on energy bills
    LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs — DOE
    Turning off lights when leaving saves $30-50/year per household — ENERGY STAR
    Standby power ('vampire load') can account for 5-10% of home energy use — DOE
    ENERGY STAR certified TVs use 25% less energy than standard models
    Programmable thermostats can save about 10% on heating/cooling — DOE
    Sealing air leaks can save 10-20% on heating and cooling costs — ENERGY STAR
    Heat pumps can reduce heating energy use by 50% vs. electric resistance — DOE
    Ceiling fans allow you to raise AC settings 4°F with no comfort loss — DOE
    Heating water accounts for about 18% of home energy use — DOE
    Low-flow showerheads save 2,700 gallons/year for a family of four — EPA
    Washing clothes in cold water can save $60+/year on water heating — ENERGY STAR
    Fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000+ gallons/year — EPA
    ENERGY STAR refrigerators use 9% less energy than standard models
    Clean refrigerator coils annually for optimal efficiency — DOE
    Air-drying dishes instead of heat-dry saves 15-50% on dishwasher energy — DOE
    Proper attic insulation can cut heating/cooling costs by 15% — ENERGY STAR
    Windows can account for 25-30% of home heating/cooling energy use — DOE
    Window film can reduce solar heat gain by up to 70% — DOE
    Average US home solar system offsets 3-4 tons of CO₂ annually — EPA
    Solar panel costs have dropped 70%+ over the past decade — SEIA
    EVs cost about 60% less to fuel than gas vehicles — DOE
    Proper tire inflation improves gas mileage by 0.6% on average — DOE
    The average US household spends $2,000+/year on energy — EIA
    ENERGY STAR products have saved Americans $500 billion on energy bills
    LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs — DOE
    Turning off lights when leaving saves $30-50/year per household — ENERGY STAR
    Standby power ('vampire load') can account for 5-10% of home energy use — DOE
    ENERGY STAR certified TVs use 25% less energy than standard models
    Programmable thermostats can save about 10% on heating/cooling — DOE
    Sealing air leaks can save 10-20% on heating and cooling costs — ENERGY STAR
    Heat pumps can reduce heating energy use by 50% vs. electric resistance — DOE
    Ceiling fans allow you to raise AC settings 4°F with no comfort loss — DOE
    Heating water accounts for about 18% of home energy use — DOE
    Low-flow showerheads save 2,700 gallons/year for a family of four — EPA
    Washing clothes in cold water can save $60+/year on water heating — ENERGY STAR
    Fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000+ gallons/year — EPA
    ENERGY STAR refrigerators use 9% less energy than standard models
    Clean refrigerator coils annually for optimal efficiency — DOE
    Air-drying dishes instead of heat-dry saves 15-50% on dishwasher energy — DOE
    Proper attic insulation can cut heating/cooling costs by 15% — ENERGY STAR
    Windows can account for 25-30% of home heating/cooling energy use — DOE
    Window film can reduce solar heat gain by up to 70% — DOE
    Average US home solar system offsets 3-4 tons of CO₂ annually — EPA
    Solar panel costs have dropped 70%+ over the past decade — SEIA
    EVs cost about 60% less to fuel than gas vehicles — DOE
    Proper tire inflation improves gas mileage by 0.6% on average — DOE
    The average US household spends $2,000+/year on energy — EIA
    ENERGY STAR products have saved Americans $500 billion on energy bills
    Active
    Australia
    General

    Sustainable Household Scheme

    ACT low-interest loan scheme ($2,000–$20,000 at 3%) for batteries, efficient electric appliances, EVs and insulation.

    Available Amount

    low-interest loans from $2,000 to $20,000 at 3% interest over up to 10 years, with no fees

    Start Date

    July 2021

    End Date

    Ongoing

    Eligibility

    ACT residents who own a home (a current driving licence is the alternative basis for EV-related loans). Applicants must meet the scheme's eligibility criteria and the lender's credit criteria, including attending a free one-hour workshop before applying. Brighte is the scheme's loan provider.

    Eligible Upgrades & Scope

    Household battery storageelectric heating and coolinghot water heat pumpssolar hot waterelectric stovetopselectric vehiclesEV charging equipmentceiling insulation and electric cargo bikes.

    The Sustainable Household Scheme is the ACT Government's clean-energy finance offer: cheap loans for households switching away from gas and improving efficiency. Eligible products span household batteries, reverse-cycle heating and cooling, hot water heat pumps, solar hot water, induction stovetops, electric vehicles and home EV chargers, ceiling insulation and even electric cargo bikes. It is a loan rather than a rebate — the incentive is the below-market 3% interest rate, up to 10-year terms and no fees.

    Eligibility basics

    You must be an ACT resident. For most products you need to own the home; EV-related loans can alternatively be based on holding a current driving licence. Before applying, the scheme requires you to attend a free one-hour workshop covering the program and the products. You must also pass Brighte's lending criteria.

    Incentive amounts

    Loans range from $2,000 to $20,000 at 3% interest over up to 10 years with no fees. From 1 July 2026 the maximum for new applicants rose to $20,000 (earlier participants were capped at $15,000). The saving versus a standard personal loan rate is the effective subsidy — on a $15,000 loan over 10 years the interest difference is significant.

    How to apply

    Attend the free one-hour workshop first — it is a prerequisite. Then apply through Brighte, the scheme's loan provider, which assesses the application against its credit criteria. Have quotes for eligible products ready, and confirm your chosen product and installer meet the scheme's product rules.

    Important notes

    This is credit, not a grant: only borrow what the energy savings and your budget justify. The workshop requirement catches some applicants out — complete it before getting quotes so your timing lines up. Product eligibility has been refined over time (for example around EVs), so check the current eligible-products list. Program details change — verify current rules on the official program page before applying.

    Ready to Apply?

    Visit the official program website to check your eligibility, find application forms, and get the most up-to-date information.

    Visit Official Program Site

    Other Programs You May Qualify For

    Active

    Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) (Australia)

    Federal incentive creating Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) that act as an upfront discount on solar and heat pumps.

    Up to $3,000 - $4,500 (Point-of-sale discount)

    Active

    Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Program (Australia)

    State government initiative providing discounts on energy-saving products for Victorian homes and businesses.

    Varies ($100 - $1,500+)

    Important: Educational Purposes OnlyThe guides, tools, cost estimates, and ROI calculators provided on EnergyBS.com are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute certified financial, tax, or professional engineering advice. Energy costs, government rebates, and installation fees vary significantly by location and are subject to change. Always consult with certified local professionals before undertaking home energy projects or making financial commitments.