Free LED Lighting Upgrade For Residents Of Vic Under VEU Scheme

LEDs are better than Incandescent & CFL Bulbs

LED stands for light-emitting diode. LED products create light about 90% more efficient than incandescent light bulbs. When an electric current passes through a microchip, it illuminates the tiny light sources called LEDs that emit light in the visible spectrum. LEDs have a heat sink built-in that absorbs radiated heat to keep energy consumption and dissipation of heat low.

LED bulbs differ from incandescent and CFLs in several ways. They are highly efficient(lumen/watt ratings are highest), versatile, and durable.

LEDs are directional light sources, i.e., they emit light in a specific direction, unlike incandescent and CFLs, which emit light and heat in all directions. This makes LEDs energy efficient. Needless to say, sophisticated engineering is required to make LED light bulbs that last longer and shine bright while consuming less energy. Lower energy consumption means lesser greenhouse gas emissions.

If ever wondered how a light bulb with sealed glass could produce any greenhouse gas, here’s some food for thought – it’s not the light bulb but carbon emission during the generation of electricity a light bulb consumes. Coal power stations being one of the biggest contributors of all.

Australian households produce a lot of greenhouse gases, mostly from transportation, heating and refrigeration, lighting appliances and waste (in landfills). However, most families can lower their greenhouse gas emissions and slash their energy costs by opting for energy efficiency program like VEU. The households account for around 1/5th of the total GHG emissions by Australia i.e. 18 tonnes per household each year. It can increase or decrease depending upon your lifestyle and your energy retailer.

Three main pollutants a power station produces are:

• Sulfur Dioxide: Responsible for acid rain
• Nitrogen Oxide: Responsible for smog
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Responsible for global warning

Victorian Energy Upgrades – An Introduction

The program is the most popular energy-saving initiative by the government of Australia to make energy efficiency improvements more affordable to Victorian households and businesses. Established under the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Act 2007 on 1 January 2009 and administered by the Essential Services Commission (ESC), the scheme is legislated to continue in three-year phases until January 1, 2030.

The scheme was renamed from VEET (Victorian Energy Efficiency Target) to the VEU scheme on August 1, 2017. Since the date of its commencement, the energy program aims to:

• Make energy efficiency improvements more affordable
• Contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases
• Encourage investment, employment, and technology development in industries supplying energy efficiency products and services across Victoria

In the last 10 years, more than 50 million energy efficiency certificates (VEECs) have been generated under the energy efficiency scheme. This means, 50 million VEECs are equal to 50 million tonnes of greenhouse gas stopped from entering into the atmosphere. More than 100,000 energy-efficient products have been installed in Victorian households and businesses in 2017 alone.

What are the Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs)?

Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) are electronic certificates created under the VEU program when a certain energy efficiency activity is undertaken in a residential or commercial setup. Each certificate represents one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

Accredited Providers (AP) can generate Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs). Once created, Accredited Providers then sell these certificates to energy retailers who have a liability to surrender a certain number of certificates each year. The Victorian government sets annual greenhouse gas reduction targets that require energy retailers to buy a certain number of certificates.

The number of certificates generated is based on the greenhouse gas savings that are associated with the product or service. The level of incentive or discount received by households and businesses varies depending on the market activity and certificate price.

LED Lights Replacement Under the VEU Program

Victorian households can get old lights replaced with energy-efficient LED products for free under the VEU program. The accredited provider (AP) assesses your sight and replaces old lights (globes, halogen lights & CFLs) with energy-efficient LED residential lighting products approved under the scheme to reduce energy bills. Every upgrade allows APs to generate Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs). Each certificate represents one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions abated through energy efficiency. Here are some interesting numbers VEU program has churned in last 10 years:

• Generated over 50 million VEECs
• Assisted installation of over 30 million energy-efficient lighting products in Victoria

For 2019 and 2020, VEU is targeting 3 million and 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emission abatement through energy efficiency.  An average Victorian household dedicates about 5%-10% of its energy budget to lighting. Switching to energy-saving lighting is one of the easiest & fastest ways to cut your energy bills and carbon emissions.

FREE! Is There a Catch?

No! Because all the upgrades are done under the VEU program. You don’t have to pay for the replaced products. The energy savings program is a mandatory carbon reduction initiative introduced by the Victorian government to minimize greenhouse gas emissions by moving from old lights such as incandescent, halogen, and CFL bulbs to energy-efficient LED bulbs approved under the scheme.

Free LED replacement products:

• Incandescent bulbs
• Halogen lights
• CFL bulbs

Residential Lighting Upgrade Process & Benefits

Ecofin Solutions ForU provides an end-to-end service to make the transition from old to new technology as smooth as possible and ensure the best possible lighting outcomes and ROI.

Our typical LED lighting upgrade process takes the following steps. However, we are highly adaptable in our approach so that we can cater to your varying requirements in the best way possible. Here’s the residential lighting upgrade process we follow:

• Enquiry: We will confirm the best time to visit your premises
• Site assessment: We will do a free assessment of your premises
• Installation
• Start saving

Benefits of LED Light Replacement:

• Save up to 80% on your lighting costs by switching to LED lights
• Reduced maintenance costs because LED lights last longer
• Save a lot more with LED lights having built-in motion and daylight sensors
• Lower air conditioning cost as LED lights don’t emit heat
• Quality lighting with 3 to 5-year product warranties
• Better lighting and ambiance through energy-efficient residential lighting upgrade