Deemed savings

Written and checked by the Energy Merchants desk · Reviewed 3 October 2026

Deemed savings are savings a scheme credits in advance, using a standard calculation, rather than measured after the event. The regulator decides what a typical installation of the given product saves, and the installer or accredited provider claims that figure.

The idea shows up across the certificate schemes.

• Victorian Energy Upgrades. Many activities, such as heat pump hot water or efficient heating and cooling, are specified activities. VEEC counts come from the product’s registered details and the scheme’s formula. See VEU product registry.
• NSW Energy Savings Scheme. The deemed method gives ESCs for standard activities, with a fixed baseline set by the scheme.
• STCs. Rooftop solar is deemed too. The system is credited with its expected generation for the deeming period at installation. See deeming period.

A worked figure

For STCs, take a 6.6 kW system in a zone 3 postcode such as Sydney or Brisbane, which has a zone rating of 1.382. A 2026 install has a five-year deeming period. The calculation is 6.6 x 1.382 x 5 = 45.6, so 45 STCs after rounding down. Nothing is metered. Check the live figure in the STC calculator.

In practice

Deemed claims are fast, because the evidence is about the installation, not performance. That is also why the evidence has to be right. A photo or serial problem is what trips a deemed claim, since there is no meter data to fall back on. See STC photo requirements.

Common confusion

Deemed does not mean estimated loosely. The formula is exact and the same inputs give the same answer. It also does not mean the customer’s real saving matches. A shaded roof or a poor install gets the same certificates as a perfect one, because the scheme pays on standard assumptions.

See PIAM&V for the measured alternative, plus STC trading and the glossary.