Refrigeration is one of the biggest electricity loads in shops, pubs and cafes and a steady drain in homes with an old spare fridge. NSW has built certificate activities around it. The details have moved with each rule change, so this page explains the structure and sends you to the source for specifics.
The activities
As described in the NSW method guides, the refrigeration activities include:
- RF1: remove a spare refrigerator or freezer. Aimed at the second fridge in the garage that runs all year.
- RF2: replace an existing refrigerated cabinet with a new high-efficiency cabinet. Aimed at commercial display and storage cabinets.
Reporting on the NSW schemes has noted strong growth in ESCs from refrigerated display cabinets, along with heat pump water heaters, under the business appliance method. The NSW government has also been updating the RF2 definition in the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme rule, and stakeholders have recommended reactivating ESS incentives for remote refrigerated cabinets. We therefore cannot say what is open on any given day.
ESCs or PRCs?
The two NSW schemes count different benefits. The ESS counts energy saved and creates ESCs, so a cabinet that uses far less energy over its life earns ESCs. The PDRS counts peak demand reduction and creates PRCs, so an activity that cuts load in the peak window earns PRCs. Some refrigeration activities are available under one scheme, some under both, and the choice is set by the rule, not by you. See peak demand reduction capacity and what an ESC is.
How a claim works
- Confirm the activity is open and the equipment is listed.
- Check the customer and premises qualify.
- Install or remove, and record serials, labels, photos and dates.
- Use an Accredited Certificate Provider to register the activity and create the certificates: see ACPs in NSW.
- Customers get a discount, or the installer is paid for the certificates. See ESC payment time.
Certificate prices are modest: reported PRCs are around $3 at the time of writing, and ESC prices move, so check the market on the day.
What this means for installers and businesses
Refrigeration contractors can use NSW incentives to make an upgrade quote more attractive. Retailers and pubs should ask for the certificate value as a line item. Keep your records for audit: see how ESS audits run for a parallel. For the NSW picture overall, see the NSW ESS explainer for installers, the NSW 2026 changes, pricing and how it works.