NSW residents switch on to cash rebate scheme

March 14th, 2012

There has been a positive uptake in the number of NSW residents applying for rebates on their new whitegoods.

NSW residents are making better decisions about energy efficient appliances and getting cash rebates, according to the rebate provider Greenmoola.com.

“This uptake is a positive sign that people are purchasing more efficient appliances, and that there is more awareness of the rebate program,” Greemoola’s founder Craig Jones said.

Over the last month Greenmoola.com has sent out a number of cheques to NSW residents, but Jones suggests that there are tens of thousands of dollars in unclaimed rebates all over NSW.

He is encouraging NSW residents to check their receipts to see if they are entitled to a rebate.

Jones told this website that the energy savings scheme is legislated until 2020, but it may be replaced by a national scheme before that.

“And there is already Government work on aligning the NSW scheme with the Vic scheme, which would be good”, he said.

“It is really important that the ‘whole of life costs’ are considered when purchasing appliances.”

Often a more expensive appliance has a higher energy efficiency – seen by how many energy efficient stars it has – and this can save money in the long term.

Any eligible appliance purchased since 28 April 2011 is entitled to a rebate.

Rebates are available for energy efficient washing machines (from 3 star rating for top loader), refrigerators and freezers (from 2.5 stars), and dishwashers (from 3.5 star ratings).

The dollar amount of the rebate depends on the star rating of the appliance: the higher the star rating the higher the cash return.

For example, a 2-door, 500-litre fridge with a 3.5 energy star rating is eligible to receive a $40 rebate, and a 2-door, 500-litre fridge with a 4-star energy rating is eligible to receive a $60 rebate.

Claims can be made up to six months after purchase. To make a claim, consumers need to fill out a form at Greenmoola.com.

The programme is part of the NSW Energy Savings Scheme.

Keri Algar

Having once had to sit on the washing machine to stop it from bouncing into oblivion, Keri is today delighted with the new (smoother running) technologies that make housework easier every day. A self-confessed lazy-bones, Keri seeks out quirky inventions that ease the human workload, such as the robotic vacuum cleaner (wow). And as soon as someone figures out a Jetsons-like self-cleaning house, she will happily lay her pen to rest and retire from appliance journalism. Until then, her pick is a fridge that will tell her smartphone when it's time to pick up more beer on the way home. Magic.