Climate change is a massive global issue; a warming climate, extreme weather and rising sea levels are significant factors impacting Australia and the world. Everyone is aware of the urgency of ensuring the world does not warm beyond two degrees over historical temperatures. We all have to do our part to ensure we meet our targets in the future, and Australian businesses are leading the way.

Like many businesses that are conscious of climate change, you might already be looking for ways you can mitigate your impact. The simplest way is by swapping over to new generation, efficient LED lighting technologies. So not only will you save money on your lighting bill every year, but you will be helping your business modernise and do its part for the greater good.

Many businesses are already feeling the pinch from higher fuel prices, supply chain issues and Covid. Still, it isn't all doom and gloom, and most states in Australia have a rebate scheme to help you make the switch. Here at ELWA, we believe in making the transition as straightforward as possible. Below, we have broken down each state's Scheme just for you. So, find your state's Scheme below and start taking some action.

South Australian energy efficiency assistance

The Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme or REPS supports households and businesses that want to reduce energy costs. Not to be confused with South Australia's outdated Retailer Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES) that finished in 2020.

The REPS Scheme includes upgrades to both residential and commercial properties for energy-saving devices and products such as insulation, heating and cooling, water heating, LED lighting Upgrades and some appliances. The Government has streamlined the process by allowing third-party businesses to analyse and advise on the best solutions for your business. Here at ELWA, we pride ourselves on offering the best products and services to ensure you get value for money from the Scheme.

Victorian Energy Upgrades program (VEU)

The Victorian Energy Upgrades Program is a scheme created by the Victorian Government to encourage businesses to invest in high efficient LED technologies. Although a little more confusing than other schemes, the VEU works by having your energy and premises inspected by an authorised partner like ELWA. We then calculate your energy savings based on your business's best energy-saving LED light options.

This greenhouse gas saving is then converted to a Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificate or VEEC, which is sold off to energy producers. It is then returned to you as a discount that offsets or completely reduces the cost of the LED purchase. But get in fast as the rebate scheme is scheduled to be closed off for some lighting types as of January 2023.

NSW Energy Saving Scheme (ESS)

The Energy Savings Scheme or ESS is a New South Wales government climate initiative designed to encourage businesses to invest in energy-saving technologies. The Scheme provides financial incentives for companies looking to upgrade their lighting to new generation LED technologies.

Similar to the Victorian Government Scheme, you will need to work with an Authorised partner to calculate your energy reduction by installing LED lighting. Companies like ELWA are accredited to create certificates based on megawatt hours saved and then sell these to third parties like energy producers or retailers. These payments are then returned to you in the form of subsidies towards installing and purchasing new generation LED lights. The excellent news for NSW businesses is that the Scheme has been extended to 2050.

This excess heat can obviously be counterbalanced by cranking up the air conditioning to reduce the office temperatures, but isn't that just another cost, let alone another environmental impact? It is imperative to your business's productivity that LED lighting is introduced over outdated lighting technologies because I can't quantify what your productivity loss could be. $1000, $100,000, $1,000,000? However large that number is, you can remedy it and save hundreds on your cooling expense by installing energy saving LED Lighting.

Emissions Reduction Fund - WA, QLD & TAS

Unlike SA, NSW & VIC, which have their own Schemes and rebates from their State Governments, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania must rely on the Emissions Reduction Fund. The Emissions Reduction Fund or ERF is a part of the Federal Government's Direct Action Plan. This fund was created to help businesses adopt new technologies to reduce their emissions.

Just like other Schemes that aim to reduce carbon in the atmosphere, you will need to work with an authorised partner like ELWA to calculate your business's reduction in emissions from the installation. You can earn Australian carbon credit units or ACCUs for each tonne of emissions stored or avoided by a project. You will then receive the value of the ACCUs as a subsidy for the LED upgrade.

How long will it take?

There is no easy answer regarding how long it will take to access after all the Government is involved. But in all seriousness, we work closely with all the Government bodies and Schemes mentioned above. We always manage LED lighting projects to ensure you not only get the maximum rebate under each Scheme but get your installation implemented quickly.

So contact us today to get the ball rolling and start helping fight climate change, but it isn't all about the carbon emissions either.

The proper illumination will ensure total productivity for day and night shifts while providing energy efficiency, long life, and consistency that only new generation LED Lighting solutions can deliver. The long and the short of it is simple; if you are running a business in Australia or own a commercial property, you should consider upgrading your LED Lighting.

Save the planet and your wallet

The Government rebates and Schemes listed above shouldn't be your only motivating factor, as you can seriously save big when it comes to your electricity bill. So let's dive deeper into how much you can save by looking at a few scenarios.

The first scenario will be a small warehouse with ten high bay lights. The average cost for running a setup like this would be $3,250 a year, but upgrading them to new generation LED lights would save you $2,300 yearly. That is a massive saving of $950 that will remain in your bottom line every single year.

Now let's say you run an office building with a thousand Fluro tubes thought out. Even being conservative with the lowest wattage Fluro tubes at 36w each, you will still be forking out around $38,000 a year on electricity based on a 40-hour work week. Not to mention the constant replacement of globes and starters, but don't even get us started on the annoying flickering when they begin to fail! But what is even more annoying is finding out that replacing these old Fluro lights with high-efficiency LED lighting can save almost $29,400 a year. Yeah, that's right, it is that big of a saving.

We could go on and look at different scenarios, but why not use our calculator to see your actual savings right now. Look at your last electricity bill to see how much you cost per kilowatt hour, estimate how many hours a week the lights are on, and the guide on the page to find your wattage. You will be amazed at how much you could potentially put back into your bottom line.

For any questions or enquiries, please go to our contact page or click here for more information on our range of LED Lighting.

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