NSW Home Energy Saver and air conditioning: what Sydney homeowners need to know

Key takeaways

• Reverse-cycle air conditioners appear on the NSW Government’s list of approved upgrades, so a new system can be financed through the program.
• Eligible homeowners can borrow up to $15,000 with no interest charged, repayable over a term of up to 10 years.
• Eligibility depends on three factors: property ownership, residency status, and a combined household taxable income of no more than $210,000.
• Ozcon is an approved supplier under the program, accredited through Brighte, so quotes and installations can be arranged through the scheme.
• A $4,000 discount is expected for lower-income households. The order in which you apply determines whether both forms of support can be used.

About the NSW Home Energy Saver program

The NSW Home Energy Saver program addresses a common barrier: the home upgrades that reduce ongoing energy costs often require significant money upfront. The $557 million state package closes that gap in two ways — by lending at no interest, and, in due course, by discounting the purchase price directly.

Loan applications are open now. Discount applications have not yet opened.

One point is worth clarifying early, as it is frequently reported incorrectly: the $15,000 is a loan, not a grant. The full amount is repaid. What is not charged is interest, and across a ten-year term that distinction is significant.

Is reverse-cycle air conditioning an eligible upgrade?

Yes. Reverse-cycle air conditioners are listed among the eligible upgrades, alongside solar, batteries, insulation, heat pump hot water and draught-proofing.

Reverse-cycle refers to a system that provides heating as well as cooling, which describes almost every ducted, split and multi-head split system we install. Individual models must still meet the program’s product criteria, so it is worth confirming that a particular unit qualifies before making a final selection.

Two related upgrades are also covered. Switchboard upgrades are eligible, which is a meaningful inclusion — older Sydney homes often require switchboard work before a ducted system can be installed, and this is an expense many homeowners have not planned for. DC ceiling fans are eligible as well. Both fall within our licensed electrical scope and can be completed as part of the same project.

Loan amounts, terms and indicative repayments

The maximum loan is $15,000, over a term of up to ten years, with no interest applied.

Applied to our current pricing, a ducted system from $6,449 repaid across the full ten years equates to approximately $54 per month. A split system from $1,699 equates to approximately $14 per month. These figures are indicative only — the amount borrowed, the term approved and the finance provider’s assessment will all affect the final repayment.

Eligibility criteria for a Home Energy Saver loan

Three requirements apply, and all must be satisfied:

• Property ownership. Owner-occupiers are eligible, as are landlords.
• Australian citizenship or permanent residency.
• Combined annual taxable household income of $210,000 or less.

Tenants are not eligible for the loan, although renters are expected to be able to access the discount once applications open, subject to landlord approval.

Strata properties are eligible. The owners corporation must approve the upgrade, and obtaining that approval is the applicant’s responsibility.

Your chosen finance provider will assess income directly, generally by requesting your most recent Notice of Assessment.

The $4,000 discount and the order of applications

Separate from the loan, a discount of up to $4,000 is expected to become available. It is intended for households earning up to $80,000 annually, or holders of a Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran Gold Card. Recipients must contribute a minimum of $200 towards the cost.

This is where the sequence matters:

If the loan is taken first, the discount cannot be applied to that same purchase.

The discount cannot be applied retrospectively to an upgrade that has already been financed. Households likely to qualify for both should consider waiting for discount applications to open, claiming the discount first, and then borrowing to cover any remaining balance on the same purchase. Proceeding with the loan too early may forfeit up to $4,000 in support.

How the application process works

The program operates through two groups. Participating finance providers administer the finance: they assess applications, approve loans and manage repayments. Approved suppliers carry out the work and must meet the program’s accreditation and quality standards to be listed. Ozcon Air Solutions is an approved supplier, accredited through Brighte.

In practice, the process involves confirming your eligibility, selecting a system, choosing a finance provider, obtaining a quote from us, and lodging the application through the provider’s website. We assist with quoting and supporting documentation, but the credit decision rests entirely with the finance provider. No installer is able to guarantee approval.

Choosing the right system size

Access to interest-free finance can encourage homeowners to specify a larger system than the property requires. We would advise against it.

An oversized unit cycles more frequently, operates less efficiently, costs more to run across its service life, and delivers no additional comfort compared with a correctly sized system. The system should be matched to the property — its layout, insulation, available ceiling space and how the rooms are actually used — with the finance then covering that cost. Borrowing capacity should not determine the specification.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a rebate?

No. The $15,000 is a loan, repaid over a term of up to ten years, with no interest charged. The $4,000 discount does reduce the purchase price, but applications for it have not yet opened.

Can the loan be used for a ducted system?

Yes, provided the system is reverse-cycle and the model meets the program’s product criteria.

Do I need to own the property?

For the loan, yes. Landlords are eligible. Tenants should consider the discount once applications open, subject to landlord approval.

What if our household income exceeds $210,000?

The program will not be available in that case. Our standard pricing and current specials continue to apply.

Does the loan cover installation as well as the equipment?

Eligible upgrades delivered by approved suppliers include the installation work. We set out the full scope on every quote.

How long does approval take?

Approval timeframes are set by the finance provider rather than the installer. Each provider runs its own assessment process.

Request a quote from an approved supplier

Ozcon Air Solutions is an approved supplier under the Home Energy Saver program, with twenty years of experience installing air conditioning across Sydney. To discuss what your property requires, and what the monthly cost would be under the program, call 1300 341 694 or get in touch through our contact page.

Home Energy Saver is a NSW Government program. Loans are provided by participating finance providers accredited under the program, not by Ozcon Air Solutions. Eligibility, credit approval and product requirements apply. Full details are available on the NSW Government website.