Question 1

What is the NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS)?

Accepted Answer

The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) is a government program aimed at cutting electricity use and peak demand. It offers financial incentives to NSW households and small businesses for installing energy-efficient air conditioning systems. To qualify, the installation must be done by an ESS-Accredited Installer working with an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP). This helps lower your energy bills while reducing the state's overall energy consumption.

Question 2

Who is National AC Rebates?

Accepted Answer

National AC Rebates is a part of the National AC family of businesses, (National AC Parts and National AC Units), dedicated to making air conditioning simple, sustainable, and -most importantly- affordable for all Australians.

We focus on;
Government Rebates: Simplifying the application process for schemes like the NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) in NSW and the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program (to come).
Incentive Management: Helping households and businesses secure upfront discounts for upgrading to energy-efficiency, reverse-cycle systems.
Industry Partnership: Acting as a "business partner" to installers by managing the administrative burden of rebate documentation, allowing them to offer more competitive pricing to customers.

Question 3

Who is EC Focus?

Accepted Answer

EC Focus is an Australian-based sustainability consultancy that helps commercial and industrial businesses achieve net-zero emissions, energy efficiency, and waste reduction goals. They provide tailored advisory services, including;
Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory management, 
NABERS waste ratings, and 
securing government energy rebates, such the NSW ESS and VIC VEU programs.

Question 4

What is an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP)?

Accepted Answer

An ACP is the "engine room" of the rebate process. They are companies legally authorised by the NSW Government to create and register Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs).
Our Partner: We work with EC Focus, a premier Australian ACP.
Their Role: They audit the installation, verify the energy savings, and convert those savings into the financial rebate you receive.
Authority: You cannot access the ESS without a partnership between an installer and an ACP.

Question 5

What is an ESS-Accredited Installer?

Accepted Answer

An ESS-Accredited Installer is an qualified and licenced air conditioning installer or contractor that; 
Is partnered with an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP) like EC Focus, and
Has been vetted by the ACP, ensuring that they have 
- NSW Contractor Licence
- Unrestricted Electrical Licence
- Refrigeration Handling Licence
- Public Liability Insurance
Is a reputable business who is professional, honest and reliable.

Question 6

Who is IPART?

Accepted Answer

IPART regulates key markets and NSW Government services to ensure effective social, environmental and economic outcomes. They undertake investigations and make reports to the NSW Government on a range of issues set out in legislation, and on issues the Government refers to us. However, their determinations and recommendations are not subject to the control or direction of the NSW Government.

Question 7

Who is ZapCat?

Accepted Answer

ZapCat is a certified Australian social enterprise dedicated to simplifying the transition to clean energy for households, renters, and strata communities. The company offers tailored, independent advice and support for electrifying homes, including solar panels, hot water heat pumps, and EV chargers

Question 8

Is this a "free" air conditioner?

Accepted Answer

No. This is a co-payment scheme. As the home or business owner, you will be required to;
Obtain your quotes for an energy-efficient air conditioning system from an ESS-Accredited Installer. 
Once accepted, you will be required to make a minimum payment of $200 + Goods and Services Tax (GST) per air conditioning unit installed to meet the initial requirements.

While the government provides an incentive, it rarely covers the entire cost of a premium energy-efficient system and professional labour.

Minimum payments cannot be reimbursed to the customer in any form. This includes through gift cards or vouchers, credit notes or goods and services.

Question 9

How much does an air conditioning install cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of your air conditioning installation depends on several key variables, ranging from the type of installation to the specific layout of your property:
New vs. Replacement: No previous air conditioner in that location or property or removing an existing AC and replacing it in the same location.

Building Type: 
Stories: single, double, multi-story
Construction: brick, weatherboard, concrete
Roof Type: The pitch (gable, hip, or skillion) affects how the installer accesses and installs the internal components.
Labour and Materials: The more complex the installation, the more time and materials are required.

Purchasing and Incentives: Wholesale discounts given to installers and government rebates like the NSW Energy Savings Scheme will lower the final cost.

Taking all this into consideration, we recommend budgeting the following;

Question 10

How do I choose the right size air conditioner for my room?

Accepted Answer

This might surprise you, but the ‘size’ of an air conditioner has nothing to do with the unit’s physical dimensions. Size actually refers a unit’s ability to produce cool and/or warm air and is usually measured in kilowatts (kW). To understand the right size air conditioner you need you need to know the size of the room including the ceiling height.

The following formula is a guide only. You should always obtain a visual inspection by a qualified air conditioning installer to confirm the correct air conditioning size and air conditioning type for your needs.

Length of the Room x Width of the Room x Height of Ceiling = Area
Area x 150 = Cooling Watts
Cooling Watts / 1000 = Approximate Air Conditioning Unit Size (kW)

5 meters x 4 meters x 2.4 meters = 48 
48 x 150 = 7200 
7200 / 1000 = 7.2 
For this example, this room would require a 7.2kW system

Question 11

Is the discount for both heating and cooling?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is! The Energy Savings  Scheme discount is applicable to energy-efficient reverse cycle air conditioning systems, which are great for both cooling in summer and heating in winter. The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) encourages reverse cycle air conditioning systems because they're an efficient way to provide year-round comfort, which helps reduce your electricity bills and the overall energy demand.

Question 12

What is considered a 'small business'?

Accepted Answer

A small business (for the NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) purposes) is any business that uses less than 100MWh in electricity per year. You can check how much electricity you use by looking at the total usage on your electricity bills for the past 4 quarters.

If you are unsure how much electricity your small business uses to qualify for the ESS discount, contact National AC Rebates and we can guide you through the eligibility check.

Question 13

Are installers offering the ESS part of the NSW Government?

Accepted Answer

No. Installers and the Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs) operate independently from the NSW Government.

You might have seen different marketing or even been contacted by installers advertising these upgrade incentives. To offer these incentives to customers, installers must;
 Be working with businesses accredited by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) called Accredited Certificate Providers like EC Focus, and
 Installers must follow IPART’s safety and process requirements.

NSW ESS: Everything You Need to Know