Small Business Energy Saver Program – Funded projects

The Small Business Energy Saver program provided a bonus incentive to small businesses to upgrade operating equipment to:

• increase energy efficiency
• reduce energy bills
• reduce emissions.

It ran from March 2021 until June 2022.

The program delivered $5 million in bonuses to small businesses across Victoria to support their transition to a low-cost, energy-efficient business model.

Equipment upgrades eligible for the bonus included:

• replacing inefficient electric hot water systems
• replacing inefficient gas hot water systems
• upgrading to efficient room reverse cycle air-conditioners
• installing energy-efficient refrigerator display cabinets
• installing energy-efficient fridges and freezers.

Although this program has ended, small businesses can still upgrade to more energy efficient equipment through the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.

Fund recipients

Announcement date: 1 July 2022

Funds were awarded to small businesses to upgrade their operating equipment at a discounted rate.

By upgrade

Here is a list of the type of equipment installed or upgraded and the number of businesses:

• Water heating – heat pump replacing electric resistance: 2,910.
• Refrigerator cabinet – 1,703.
• High efficiency refrigerator and freezer – 297.
• Space heating- room air to air heat pump 234.
• Cold room – 2.
• Water heating – gas/LPG instantaneous replacing electric resistance: 2.

By region

Here is a list by region of the number of businesses that received funding:

• Southern metropolitan – 1,667.
• Northern metropolitan – 1,162.
• Western metropolitan – 1,061.
• Eastern metropolitan – 657.
• Inner South-East metropolitan – 202.
• Inner metropolitan – 303.
• Barwon South West – 291.
• Gippsland – 230.
• Hume – 196.
• Grampians –156.
• Loddon Mallee – 137.

By industry (Top 15)

Here is a list by industry of the number of businesses that received funding:

• Food and beverage services – 1119.
• Other: automotive including brakes, car repair, caravans and motor repair: – 738.
• Professional services – 569.
• Manufacturing – other: 412.
• Retail trade: store-based – 312.
• Retail trade: food retailing – 304.
• Retail trade: motor vehicle – 284.
• Construction: building and other – 168.
• Manufacturing: furniture – 129.
• Warehousing and storage services – 101.
• Transport services – 77.
• Wholesale trade: motor vehicle and parts – 68.
• Wholesale trade: other goods – 66.
• Hair and beauty – 60.
• Sports and recreation: gym, sports clubs and other – 58.