The NSW Home Energy Saver program can help eligible households spread the upfront cost of solar, battery storage and other energy-saving upgrades.
Loan applications are now open, with zero-interest finance of up to $15,000 available through participating finance providers. A separate discount of up to $4,000 is expected to open soon for eligible lower-income households and concession card holders.
Here is what NSW homeowners and landlords should check before requesting a quote or applying.
What is the NSW Home Energy Saver loan?
Home Energy Saver is part of a $238.9 million NSW Government investment designed to make approved home energy upgrades more accessible.
Eligible applicants can apply for a zero-interest loan of up to $15,000. The loans are funded by the NSW Government and delivered by participating finance providers Brighte and Plenti. Applications are subject to eligibility checks, responsible lending requirements and the provider’s loan agreement.
The NSW Government currently lists the loan as open with no closing date. Program settings and approved products can change, so check the official guidance before making a financial commitment.
Who may be eligible?
According to the NSW Government loan guidelines, applicants must meet the following core requirements:
- The property must be in NSW.
- The borrower must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Combined taxable household income must be no more than $210,000.
- The borrower must own the property as an owner-occupier or landlord.
- The project must use eligible products and an approved supplier listed by the selected finance provider.
The loan is not available for social or community housing or properties used for short-stay accommodation. Landlords must confirm that their tenant has consented to the upgrade. Strata properties may also require owners corporation approval.
Meeting the program criteria does not guarantee loan approval. Brighte or Plenti will assess the application, including the applicant’s ability to repay.
What upgrades can the loan cover?
The official program includes a broad range of approved upgrades:
- Residential battery storage
- Rooftop solar installed with an eligible battery system
- Switchboard upgrades required to support another eligible upgrade
- Heat pump or electric-boosted solar hot water systems
- Reverse-cycle air conditioning
- Ceiling insulation and draught-proofing
- Double-glazed windows or doors
- Ceiling fans
- Induction cooktops replacing gas or electric cooktops
- Level 2 electric vehicle chargers
- NatHERS assessments for existing homes
One detail matters for solar customers: under the current loan guidelines, a rooftop solar installation must be completed with an eligible battery system. Solar-only projects do not meet that specific requirement.
The loan covers the approved upgrade and its installation. Extra work needed to prepare the property may need to be quoted and paid for separately.
Can the loan be combined with other incentives?
Potentially, yes. The NSW guidelines say an installation may also qualify for other NSW or Australian Government incentives, including the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme and the forthcoming Home Energy Saver discount.
Each incentive has separate rules. Your approved supplier should show applicable incentives on an itemised quote, and you may need to complete additional forms.
If you expect to qualify for both the Home Energy Saver discount and loan, the NSW Government recommends waiting for the discount to open and applying for it first. The loan could then help cover an eligible remaining amount.
What is the $4,000 Home Energy Saver discount?
The discount is a separate part of the program and is not open yet. The NSW Government says applications are coming soon.
The current public information says the discount will be aimed at homeowners and renters with a combined household income of up to $80,000, or households with an eligible concession card. Full discount guidelines will be published when applications open.
Renters may be eligible for the discount with the required property-owner approval, but the loan itself is for property owners.
How to apply for the loan
1. Check your eligibility
Use the NSW Government Energy Savings Finder to check what support may be available to your household. Then read the official Home Energy Saver loan guidelines to confirm that your property, income, residency status and preferred upgrade meet the program rules.
2. Choose an approved upgrade
Consider your electricity use, roof, existing solar system, switchboard and future energy needs. For solar and battery projects, system sizing should be based on the household’s usage rather than the maximum loan amount.
3. Choose a finance provider
Visit the NSW Government Home Energy Saver page and follow the application link for Brighte or Plenti. Compare the provider’s loan agreement and repayment terms carefully.
4. Obtain an itemised quote from an approved supplier
Finance providers maintain their own approved supplier lists. Confirm that the supplier is approved by your chosen provider before signing an installation contract.
The quote should clearly show the products, installation cost, eligible incentives, customer contribution, warranties and exclusions.
5. Complete the loan application
The finance provider will assess program eligibility and responsible lending requirements. If approved, review the loan agreement and installation agreement carefully before accepting them.
6. Arrange installation
After the agreements are complete, the approved supplier can schedule installation. The finance provider pays the approved supplier after the completed installation is confirmed, and repayments then begin under the loan agreement.
Before you apply: five useful checks
- Confirm the supplier appears on your selected finance provider’s approved list.
- Check that the battery, inverter and solar panels meet the program’s technical requirements.
- Ask whether switchboard or other preparatory work is included in the quote.
- Compare expected savings with repayments using your actual electricity usage.
- Read the warranties, exclusions and loan agreement before signing.
Get a tailored solar and battery quote
The right system depends on your household’s electricity use, roof, existing equipment and goals. Rescom Solar can assess your property and prepare an itemised solar and battery proposal so you can compare the project cost with the incentives and finance options available to you.
Call 1300 128 747 or visit rescomsolar.com.au to request a free quote.
This article provides general information only and is not financial advice. Eligibility, loan approval, approved suppliers, product requirements and program settings are determined by the NSW Government and participating finance providers. Check the current official guidelines before applying or entering an agreement.