Households across NSW are already trying to get on top of their energy use. They are switching off appliances, adjusting how and when they use power, and looking for ways to take control of rising bills.
“Around 80% of households have tried to do something,” says Paul Corkill, Executive Director of Consumer Energy Investments at the Energy Security Corporation (ESC). “Customers have the will, but the barrier is the high upfront cost to make meaningful upgrades.”
Home Energy Saver loans are designed to remove that barrier, bridging the gap between intention and action. Eligible NSW households can now access up to $15,000 in zero-interest, no-fee finance to upgrade their homes – and many are already taking advantage of the initiative. The strong interest seen since launch reinforces what the NSW Government and the ESC identified during program development: when finance is simple and affordable, households are ready to take the next step
The opportunity sitting in plain sight
Technologies like rooftop solar with a battery, reverse cycle air conditioning and heat pump water heaters are already widely available in Australia. They can reduce energy bills, improve comfort and give households more control over how they use energy at home. Taken together, they can significantly change how a home performs.
A typical household that invests in a suite of upgrades can reduce energy costs by thousands of dollars each year. The challenge is unlocking access to the funding that makes those energy saving upgrades possible.
A simpler way to get started
With Home Energy Saver loans, eligible NSW households can access zero-interest, no-fee finance of up to $15,000 to fund energy saving upgrades, and repay it over up to 10 years.
That changes the decision landscape. Instead of waiting years to save for upgrades, households can act now and start seeing the benefits sooner – crucially, without needing to fund the full cost upfront.
In many cases, households may save more from improved efficiency than they repay on the loan, making them better off from the start.
How it works in practice
The process is designed to be straightforward.
Households choose the upgrades that suit their home – such as rooftop solar with a battery, a heat pump hot water system, or improved insulation and heating. They then work with an accredited installer to get a quote and apply for a loan through a participating lender.
Once approved, the installer completes the work and is paid directly. The household then repays the loan over time.
The program is flexible by design, supporting households who are just getting started on energy saving upgrades as well as those continuing their upgrade journey. “The program allows people to act based on what they need, when they need it,” Corkill says.
Part of a bigger shift
Home Energy Saver loans sit within a broader effort to transform how energy is generated and used across NSW.
The state is moving away from coal-fired power towards a more renewable, electrified energy system. That shift is already underway, but it requires action in homes as well as at grid level.
“We see households as one of the biggest opportunities in the energy transformation,” Corkill says.
However, as more homes electrify – switching from gas to electric appliances and vehicles – demand on the electricity system will increase.
By also making homes more efficient and enabling them to generate and store their own energy, overall demand on the electricity system can be reduced, helping to limit the need for additional infrastructure.
“If we did nothing else, demand would rise significantly,” Corkill says. “But more efficient homes reduce that pressure.”
Building momentum beyond individual homes
The program is designed to do more than support individual upgrades.
“We are helping create the conditions for this to grow,” Corkill says.
By working with a range of lenders, the ESC is helping build a stronger market for consumer energy finance. Over time, that can lead to a more established network of providers, improved choice and more informed households that have confidence in taking the next step, with access to trusted advice, products and finance.
Why it matters now
Energy costs remain a key concern for households, and global pressures continue to create uncertainty. At the same time, the tools to respond are already available.
For households, this program provides a practical way to take control – reducing reliance on external factors and improving the day-to-day performance of their home.
For NSW, it supports a faster, more coordinated shift to a cleaner and more reliable energy system. For the broader market, it helps build the momentum needed to scale that change.
As Corkill puts it, the aim is simple: help households take action sooner – and make those actions count for the NSW energy system as a whole. As participation grows, so does the opportunity to deliver benefits for households, the energy system and NSW's clean energy future.
For more information, or for eligibility criteria, visit the Home Energy Saver webpage.
Home Energy Saver loans are funded by the NSW Government.