The Home Energy Saver is a NSW Government program launched on 17 June 2026 as part of its Consumer Energy Strategy. It is a different thing from the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS), which pays ESCs, and from the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS), which pays PRCs. Those are certificate schemes that installers and providers claim. Home Energy Saver is a finance and subsidy program for households.
The two parts
| Part | What it is | Reported status |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-interest loan | Up to $15,000, delivered through approved finance providers | Open from 17 June 2026 |
| Discount | Up to $4,000 off the eligible purchase price, for lower-income households | Reported to open later in 2026 |
Reported eligibility: the loan is for owner-occupiers and landlords with incomes up to $210,000; the discount for households with combined income under $80,000 or an eligible concession card. Check the NSW Government page for the current rules, since they are the source and details can change.
What it can cover
Reported eligible upgrades include rooftop solar, a residential battery, a switchboard upgrade, a heat pump water heater and a reverse-cycle air conditioner, along with other approved measures. The products and installers need to meet the program’s rules.
How it differs from ESC and PRC discounts
- ESC and PRC discounts come from certificates. An accredited provider creates them for qualifying activities and passes value on through the quote.
- The Home Energy Saver loan finances what you owe after discounts. The discount stream, once it opens, reduces the price for eligible households.
- Federal STCs are a third layer: a point-of-sale discount for solar, batteries and heat pump hot water, set by formula.
So a lower-income NSW household buying a heat pump could in principle see an STC discount, an ESC discount and, subject to the rules, the Home Energy Saver discount. The details of stacking are in each program’s terms.
Check the source
The loan is delivered through approved finance providers and the discount through a separate delivery partner, and the amounts and income tests are set by the NSW Government. Because the discount stream was reported as opening later in 2026, confirm on the official page whether it is open before you promise it to a customer.
What this means for you
For homeowners: start with the federal discount, see what your installer can claim through certificates, then check whether the loan or discount fits your household. See heat pump hot water in NSW, BESS1 and BESS2 and the NSW pillar.
For installers: the program adds finance options for customers, but the certificate side is unchanged, and certificates still need compliant paperwork. See the battery STC overview, hot water STCs and pricing.