The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate’s Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme (EEIS) is to be expanded to help more ACT residents save energy, reduce emissions and cut their energy bills.
Announcing the expansion, the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury, said the current EEIS had been “highly successful” to date.
Mr Rattenbury said since it was established in 2013, EEIS had seen over 74,000 Canberra households and businesses save over $400 million, including $70 million off the energy bills of low-income households.
“The existing scheme has assisted more than 45 per cent of Canberra households, including 19,000 low income priority households and 16,000 rental properties,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“The Scheme has also achieved lifetime emission reductions of around 500,000 t CO2–e, equivalent to taking approximately 165,000 cars off Canberra roads for a year.”
He said that as part of the EEIS expansion the Government would provide further support and incentives to transition away from gas, a fossil fuel.
“New rebates of up to $5,000 are now being offered by ActewAGL through the EEIS to encourage households to replace their central ducted gas heater with more efficient central electric reverse cycle air conditioner.”
He said other changes to the EEIS would include additional support for low-income households; tackling transport emissions; and support for residential insulation.
“It is estimated that 55 per cent of Canberra households have inadequate ceiling insulation, Mr Rattenbury said.”
“The new insulation activities are designed to be safe and effective and are closely aligned with similar programs in other jurisdictions,” he said.
