Minns launches $557 million Home Energy Saver Program loans
The Minns Labor Government has opened the home energy saver program for NSW households, with zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 available from today for eligible upgrades. The program is designed to help families lower power bills while spreading the cost of improvements over ten years instead of paying upfront.
Penny Sharpe on NSW upgrades
Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, said the program is about helping more families access upgrades that make homes “more comfortable, more efficient and better to live in.” She also said, “Every household that upgrades to more efficient technology is playing a part in NSW’s energy future. Making these technologies more accessible helps more households enjoy a cooler home in summer, a warmer home in winter, and smaller power bills every month.”
The loans are part of a $557 million program and are expected to benefit more than 32,000 households. The loan component accounts for $480 million of that total, while $77 million is set aside for discounts later in 2026.
Upgrades and eligibility
Eligible households can use the loans for rooftop solar, household batteries, insulation, reverse-cycle air conditioning, switchboard upgrades, ceiling fans and draught-proofing. The loans are available to households with a combined taxable income of up to $210,000.
The later discount program will offer up to $4,000 to households with a combined annual income of up to $80,000 or to eligible concession card holders. It will also be available to renters with their landlord’s permission. Just over half of all houses in NSW already have solar, and 13,000 new batteries are being installed each month, leaving the program to focus on households that still need help paying for the first upgrade.
For households deciding whether to apply, the immediate step is to check whether the planned upgrade fits the eligible list and whether combined income falls within the loan limit. Families who qualify can finance up to $15,000 over ten years, while lower-income households and renters may need to wait for the discount rollout later in 2026.
