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The Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES) has been introduced by the State Government to help you "be energy smart" and lower your energy bills.
The following providers of electricity and gas in South Australia are now required to meet targets which are about improving the energy efficiency of our homes.
You can take up special offers and incentives from any energy provider, not just the one currently supplying you.
By participating you can save energy and therefore save money in reduced power bills. Using less energy also means you help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The REES is intended to benefit all types of households, whether owner-occupied or rented. It has a particular focus on low income families who are most vulnerable to rising energy costs. Energy providers are required to make sure they meet at least one third of their targets in low income households. They must also deliver 13,000 energy audits to low income households over the next three years (2009 to 2011).
The REES commenced on 1 January 2009. The Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) is the scheme administrator.
Energy providers are able to choose from a long list of energy saving measures which the Government has prescribed for the REES.
It is up to each energy provider to determine what measures they will concentrate on from this list, and what incentives they will offer to householders. Each energy provider is likely to differ in what they are offering. Energy providers will be progressively rolling out their incentive programs during the first quarter of 2009.
Watch out for rebates, special offers and other incentives on great ways to save energy, including:
| Lighting |
Change light bulbs to energy efficient light bulbs. |
| Showerheads |
Change showerheads to an efficient showerhead which saves water and costs less to heat the water. |
| Ceiling insulation |
Install ceiling insulation where there isn't any. |
| Draught proofing |
Seal gaps in doors, windows, fireplaces and exhaust fans to stop draughts. |
| Fridges and freezers |
Get rid of old fridges and freezers, particularly second fridges and freezers |
| Heating and cooling systems |
Upgrade heating and cooling systems to more efficient systems, or install ductwork which makes them work more efficiently and with less energy. |
| Water heaters |
Install a more efficient water heater where this is not already required by the law under the new water heater standards for South Australia. |
Each energy saving measure has a set of minimum requirements which energy providers and their contractors must comply with in carrying out the measure in your home. These help to ensure the installation is appropriate and delivers the expected savings. If you wish to learn more, you can download these requirements.
You can find out more information on the benefits of these measures as well as other great ways to save energy.
Energy providers are required to deliver energy audits to 13,000 low income households over the next three years (2009 to 2011). Energy providers may offer an incentive for you to participate in an energy audit.
An energy audit involves a trained person visiting your home and working with you to help you understand how you and your home use energy. The auditor will look at how energy efficient your home is and provide information on what could realistically be done to make it more efficient. The auditor will also talk to you about how you can better use energy in the home, for example, being careful to turn off lights and appliances when not in use or making sure that your water heater is on the right rate.
Energy providers and their contractors must comply with minimum requirements in delivering energy audits. These help to ensure the audit is conducted appropriately. If you wish to learn more, you can download these requirements.
If you receive one of the following, you are a "low income household" for the purposes of the REES:
For tenants - you need to be aware that some energy saving measures, such as insulation, draught proofing, heating and cooling and water heaters, may require your landlord’s permission. Others, like lighting, showerheads, retiring fridges and freezers and participating in an energy audit most likely don’t need permission. If you are not sure, talk to your landlord or real estate agent before taking up an offer.
Your signature is required - as part of the compliance requirements set by ESCOSA for energy providers, you will be required to sign a form which says the energy saving measure and/or the energy audit has been undertaken in your home. This form will be provided to you by the energy provider or their contractor at the time the measure or audit occurs. The form will also have some very basic questions about the household which will help the Government in its future evaluation and review of the scheme.
Other rebates - you may also be eligible for other government energy efficiency rebates, whether offered by the State Government (for example, rebates for solar and heat pump water heaters) or the Australian Government under the Energy Efficient Homes Package (rebates for ceiling insulation and solar and heat pump water heaters - visit the rebates and grants page to find out further information Taking up an incentive from an energy provider does not exclude you from receiving these other rebates.
Energy providers are exploring and entering partnerships with external contractors to help them deliver on their targets and market incentives to householders. These include product manufacturers and installers, welfare agencies, energy efficiency businesses, local governments and others.
To assist you in considering opportunities which REES presents, visit technical details to find out more about the targets retailers are required to meet, minimum requirements for energy saving measures and energy audits, penalty regime, the role of ESCOSA, and more.
Energy providers are the best people to speak to you if you want to find out what energy saving measures and incentives they are offering, or how to get an energy audit. Click on the following links to take you directly to the energy provider websites:
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This website is kept updated with important developments for REES as they arise. If you would like to be kept informed, send an email to dtei.energydivision@sa.gov.au with the subject line saying “Subscribe to REES updates”. Updates will only be sent electronically by email.
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Government energy efficiency