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Business Energy and Water Program
Rebates of up to $5,000* are available to eligible ACT businesses wanting to upgrade to more water-efficient and energy-efficient technologies, including with lighting, appliances, heating or cooling, refrigeration, insulation, toilets and tapware.
Through the rebates, the Business Energy and Water Program helps commercial businesses lower operating costs by reducing water and energy. This, in turn, helps the ACT lower greenhouse gas emissions.
To find out more, call 13 22 81 or email businessenergy@act.gov.au
* Terms and conditions apply
"The process was really straightforward. The assessor talked me through the energy saving opportunities and made sure I received a 50 per cent rebate on the cost of the upgrades."
Small business owner
Getting Started
To qualify for rebates of up to $5,000 under the Actsmart Business Energy and Water Program, businesses need to:
* be operating in the ACT
* have electricity bills of up to $25,000 per year and/or
* employ a maximum of 20 staff.
If your business qualifies, the ACT Government will cover half the cost (up to $5,000*) of upgrades to more sustainable systems for lighting, appliances, heating or cooling, refrigeration, insulating, toilets and tapware.
It’s easy to get started in the Actsmart Business Energy and Water Program. Simply complete this straightforward, two-page Registration Form.
If accepted, an Actsmart energy assessor will:
* conduct an overview of energy and water use in your business
* provide a detailed action plan with recommended energy and water improvements.
Once you have implemented recommended improvements, you can claim back 50 per cent (up to $5,000*) of your capital outlay on these improvements.
You will then receive a certificate of participation and recognition as an Actsmart business, allowing you to promote your environmentally responsible stance to staff, customers and suppliers.
So start today by completing the Registration Form. Return it by email to: businessenergy@act.gov.au or post it:
Actsmart
Sustainability Unit
Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate
ACT Government
GPO Box 158
Canberra City ACT
2601
* Terms and conditions apply
Your business may also be eligible for a FREE or subsidised lighting upgrade from electricity retailers participating in the ACT Government’s Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme (EEIS). Currently ActewAGL is the only retailer offering lighting upgrades. More information can be found here.
The Actsmart Business Energy and Water program is designed to complement other energy efficiency initiatives available, therefore Actsmart will not offer rebates for lights that can be replaced by electricity retailers participating in the EEIS.
Case Studies
Check out these case studies of businesses that have received a rebate from the Actsmart Business Energy and Water Program to upgrade to more water-efficient and energy-efficient technologies. In addition to getting a rebate of up to $5,000 for their efforts, these businesses are delivering real benefits to the ACT and the environment.
See how the program can work for your business.
Supermarket: Cook IGA
The Cook IGA is a small supermarket located in the northern suburbs of Canberra. It's a family business that has been operated by its current owners since 2003. They have a strong commitment to the environment and improving energy efficiency at every opportunity. As a result of the Actsmart team's action plan, Cook IGA reduced energy used on lighting by around 60%, saving approximately $1000 each month on electricity and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 70 tonnes per year...
Café/Bar: Ha Ha Bar
Ha Ha Bar is a small hospitality venue on the shore of Lake Ginninderra in Belconnen. The owner-operator of Ha Ha Bar was conscious of high energy costs and wanted to reduce the overheads of his business. Actsmart's energy assessors provided strategies to improve the venue's refrigeration systems as well as recommendations for heating and cooling. As well as earning a $5000 rebate from ACTSmart, Ha Ha Bar subsequently saved $4157 on electricity in six months and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 16.6 tonnes in the same period...
Restaurant: Xchange on London
Xchange on London is a restaurant/bar situated on London Circuit in Canberra's CBD. Despite a modern fit-out, the venue's manager complained that the lighting system radiated significant heat and seemed to be frequently burning out. He was keen to find a solution that required less maintenance and was cheaper to run. Following an Actsmart energy assessment, Xchange on London saved $3300 on electricity in less than a year and cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 13 tonnes per annum...
Noodle Bar: Wokitup!
Wokitup! is a casual Asian noodle bar in Gungahlin. Traditional woks use thousands of litres of water each day, and the owner of Wokitup! was eager to explore ways to reduce this water consumption and associated costs. As part of a range of Actsmart recommendations, the owner of the business researched a waterless wok system and, once installed, daily water use plummeted by 4,800 litres a day, equating to a potential saving of 1,688,400 litres and around $9,000 annually...
Downloads
The following documents on the Actsmart Business Energy and Water Program are available for download.
Actsmart recommends always viewing documents on screen. Remember that paper production uses valuable natural resources and generates greenhouse gas emissions, while your used printer cartridges can create landfill. If you must print one or more of these documents, please remember to use recycled paper.
* Registration Form
* Terms and Conditions
* Solar Pre-approval For Rebate form
* Solar Rebate Claim Form
* Solar Terms and Conditions
* Case Study: IGA Supermarket Cook
* Case Study: Ha Ha Bar Belconnen
* Case Study: Xchange on London
* Case Study: Woktitup! Gungahlin
Medium Business
The ACT Government is developing resources, tools and an online platform for assistance and solutions for energy and water efficiencies for medium-sized businesses in the capital.
Small and medium businesses can upgrade their lighting for free or at a subsidised rate through electricity retailers participating in the ACT Government’s Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme. Explore whether your business is eligible here.
The Actsmart Lighting Efficiency Webtool checks the efficiency of your business lighting setup and suggests possible upgrades. In just a few clicks you’ll receive a clear rundown of potential savings, expenses and suggested products.
For more information and/or to be kept updated on progress, please contact Actsmart at businessenergy@act.gov.au
Solar
The Actsmart Solar for Business trial is an initiative helping ACT businesses adopt solar energy. The free trial offers eligible ACT businesses independent, tailored advice and rebates for the installation of rooftop solar systems. Registrations for the trial are limited and terms and conditions apply.
For more information please contact the Actsmart Business team at businessenergy@act.gov.au or on 13 22 81.
FAQs
What is the Actsmart Solar for Business trial?
The Actsmart Solar for Business trial is an initiative helping ACT businesses adopt solar PV technology. The free trial offers eligible ACT businesses independent, tailored advice and rebates up to $5,000 for the installation of rooftop solar PV systems.
What advice can I receive?
A dedicated solar professional is available to:
* provide advice on the basics of solar technology and the benefits of solar for your business
* identify the electricity consumption profile and solar requirements of your business
* compare solar quotes based on your business’s priorities including budget, energy savings and quality
* provide cost estimates (on a case-by-case basis).
Solar advice is available via phone, email or at your business premises. You don’t need to be an existing Actsmart client to be eligible for advice and support.
What rebates are available?
The Solar for Business trial provides eligible businesses with rebates of up to 50% of the cost of a rooftop solar PV system, capped at $5,000. The rebate can only be used to cover the costs of solar PV components and installation. The rebate excludes some fees and costs associated with the installation and mandatory approvals of a solar PV system. Please check the trial terms and conditions for the rebate exclusions. There are a limited number of rebates available.
Is my business eligible?
To be eligible to receive advice on solar:
* your business must not be a government, government-controlled or government owned entity, nor an owners corporation; and
* your business and staff must operate from the registered premises which must be in the ACT; and
* our premises must not be residential premises (regardless of whether they are also used as a business).
To be eligible to claim a rebate for the installation of a rooftop solar PV system, your business must have:
* participated in the Actsmart Business Energy and Water program** and have undertaken energy efficiency upgrades or have limited scope to do so; and
* submitted a Solar Pre-Approval for Rebate Form to Actsmart for approval before commencing works; and
* completed and paid for the works in full; and
* submitted a Solar Rebate Claim Form to Actsmart.
** To participate in the Actsmart Business Energy and Water program, complete the registration form and return it by email to: businessenergy@act.gov.au.
There are additional eligibility requirements and these are outlined in the terms and conditions.
Where can I access general information about solar for businesses?
A dedicated solar professional is available to guide you through the process of going solar. If you would like to access detailed resources on installing a rooftop solar PV system for your business, important processes to follow and things to consider while selecting a service provider, visit the Clean Energy Council’s website.
I already have solar installed at my business. Can I access a rebate to install more solar under this trial?
Yes. If your business has an existing rooftop solar PV system which is less than 30kW, you may be eligible to install another solar system under the trial. Please check the terms and conditions for the limitations on the new system.
I lease my premises. If I install a rooftop solar PV system, who owns the system?
The business (and associated ABN) registered with the Actsmart Business Energy and Water program is the owner of the solar PV system installed under the Solar for Business trial. However, if the registered business does not own the premises they operate from, they are responsible for obtaining permission from the owner and/or the body corporate (depending on the case) for the installation of the solar PV system prior to its installation.
What approvals will I require to install a compliant solar PV system?
The approvals may include but are not limited to grid connection, building, development, electrical and heritage approval. To ensure your system is compliant, it is the responsibility of the business to discuss and obtain the approvals applicable to their premises with the solar service provider before the work commences.
Am I eligible for a rebate under the trial if I choose any financing options for the system?
No. To claim a rebate through the trial, the business needs to pay for the system in full and provide this evidence to Actsmart when submitting the Rebate Claim Form.
For more information please contact the Actsmart Business team at businessenergy@act.gov.au or 13 22 81.
Lighting Webtool
Many businesses don’t know what inefficient lighting looks like. The Actsmart Lighting Efficiency webtool makes it easy for the user to identify and cost a range of lighting upgrade options. Businesses of any size can use this easy webtool to check the efficiency of their business lighting setup and possible upgrade solutions. In just a few clicks businesses will receive a clear rundown of potential savings, expenses and suggested products.
To view and use the webtool, click here.