Published

7 months ago

November 14, 2025

Alice Rush

Renting in Victoria often comes with its share of compromises, especially when it comes to heating and cooling.

In Victoria, most households face high bills and reduced comfort because their old gas heaters kick in during winter or inefficient split-system air conditioners struggle to keep homes cool throughout summer.

Fortunately, there’s a golden opportunity many residents don’t know about: the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Program. This government-backed initiative offers meaningful rebates and discounts for efficient heating and cooling and other home upgrades.

But the question is: Do rental properties qualify for the VEU rebates?

The answer is yes, but there are a few important things tenants need to know.

Therefore, in this article, we’ll guide you through how tenants in VIC can benefit from VEU air con Upgrade, how the landlord consent process works, and share some real-world examples that you can follow to get started.

So, let’s begin!

In this blog post:

Understanding VEU Air Con Rebates: Can Renters Benefit?

As mentioned earlier, the Victorian government has introduced the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program to help
households and businesses reduce energy costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Under this scheme, accredited providers offer rebates or discounts on the installation of energy-efficient products,
including reverse-cycle
air conditioners that replace older, inefficient systems in your home.

How Does the VEU Rebate Program Work?

The government issues “VEU certificates” for each upgrade, which energy companies then buy to meet their
emissions-reduction targets. This trading system allows households to receive up-front discounts.

Significantly, tenants can also benefit from the rebate if they have their landlord’s approval for installing air conditioners.

In rental homes, this upgrade not only improves comfort and reduces electricity bills but also helps landlords meet
Victoria’s minimum energy-efficiency
standards for rental properties.

Eager to know more?

Here is how renters can benefit through VEU air con Upgrades:

Lower energy bills

Upgrading to a high-efficiency reverse-cycle air conditioner under the VEU scheme can significantly reduce your
heating and cooling costs.

For example, recent data represents estimated savings of $120 to $1,100 per year, depending
on the size or type
of
upgrade.

Switching to efficient heating
and cooling systems helps reduce ongoing operational costs.
In your home, better temperature control means you’re less reliant on inefficient systems, like gas-burning
heaters or fans.

Improved comfort and living conditions

In a rental property, installing a modern, energy-efficient cooling system means better indoor comfort.
This VEU air con upgrade can be especially relevant in rentals where older systems may struggle or be
inefficient.

Eligibility and access permission as a tenant

Tenants can access upgrades under the VEU program, though you’ll need to coordinate with the landowner.
The best part is that there are no income thresholds to meet. The program is broadly available to Victorian
households and rental properties.
The discount is applied via an accredited provider, so the cost to the tenant (or the landlord/tenant jointly)
is reduced upfront.

Air Con Upgrade adds value to the rental property

Even though this VEU rebate directly benefits the property owner or landlord in terms of value appeal, tenants
also benefit by renting a property with better systems that likely have fewer repairs or maintenance issues.
Upgrades reduce maintenance
tasks for tenants, as older systems are more likely to break, causing discomfort or disputes over
repairs.

Do Tenants Really Need Landlord Consent? | The Approval Process Explained!

If you are living in a rental property in VIC and thinking about upgrading your air conditioning system through the
VEU program, you might be wondering — do I need my landlord’s approval before installing the new unit?

Well, since you don’t own the property you’re renting, one of the first steps as a tenant is to talk with your
landlord and seek permission.

It’s important to check in with your landlord before making any upgrades or installations. It helps avoid common mistakes
that disqualify you from a rebate, ensures compliance with your lease, and keeps everything running
smoothly.

Here’s how the landlord approval process usually works and what you should do to get landlord approval
fast:

Initiate the conversation

As a tenant, you can raise the possibility: “Would you be willing to upgrade the heating/cooling system under the
VEU
rebate scheme?” You can emphasis the long-term benefits to the landowner, such as lower bills, greater comfort,
and
improved property value.

Check eligibility together: here’s what to check!

Confirm the property has existed for more than 2 years.
Verify whether the existing system is eligible for replacement, e.g. an old gas heater or a low-efficiency
AC
unit.
Not all the brands
and
models are eligible, so check the public
registry to find a suitable one.
Make sure the upgrade has not been claimed for that property before. The program won’t allow duplicate
claims.
Select a VEU-approved product and an accredited installer, such as Cyanergy.

The landlord gives consent

Your landlord or rental provider must agree to the upgrade. Many installers note that rental properties can
access
the scheme only when the owner provides landlord approval.

Transparent discussion on cost & contract

Before installing a system, a contract with the installer will outline the rebate and installation details,
including
who pays upfront.

It’s wise for both the landlord and tenant to review it.

Installation & rebate claim

The installer handles the application under the VEU scheme, ensuring that the discount/rebate is applied. The
landlord will likely be the applicant (since they’re the property owner), but tenants can initiate or support
the
application.

Post-installation: Allocation of benefits

After installation, the improved system delivers reduced energy use. The agreement between landlord and tenant
should
clarify how those savings are handled.

Pro Tips Every Tenant Should Know During the Rental Process

To get the most out of this opportunity, here are some best practices especially tailored for tenants:

Get everything in writing, keep records, and retain a copy of the document for both the landlord and you.
Request an estimate that clearly outlines the rebate process or discount amount, allowing you to see the actual cost.
Ask the installer to clarify the warranty, ongoing maintenance, and any other relevant details.
Ensure the landlord agrees to your shared arrangement, including the cost, benefits, and timeframe, before committing to it.

How are Costs and Incentives Shared?

One of the main questions is: when a tenant benefits, who pays for what? And how incentives are distributed?

Well, under the VEU scheme, here’s how it typically works:

Incentives offered

According to the Victorian government’s heating and cooling factsheet, installing an efficient reverse-cycle air conditioner can result in significant savings. For example:
- Up to about $840 when replacing a hard-wired electric resistance room heater ranging from 3 kW-9 kW in a non-ducted setting.
- Up to $2,520 for replacing a ducted gas heater and installing 4 split systems (1×8 kW + 3×3 kW).
The program also notes that for rental properties, benefits apply: the regulatory impact assessment states:
“The VEU program is available to renters. The program encourages collaboration between rental providers and tenants to work together on upgrades.”

So, who bears the cost?

When discussing cost-sharing for installing an air conditioning system in a rental property, the tenant may offer to contribute by paying higher rent, extending the lease term, or sharing the energy savings.

This helps both the landlord and tenants to secure the upgrade quickly.

However, in most cases, the landlord pays the bulk of the cost or arranges for the installer to claim the rebate or discount, reducing the upfront cost.

Then, the installer essentially offsets your rebate via VEECs (Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates) and passes the benefit on to the customer.

The rebate is usually applied up front, reducing the installation cost, and the amount depends on the type of system you remove and the system you install.

Sharing Benefits Between Landlord and Tenants: A Collaborative Approach

Upgrading the air conditioner or installing a new unit under the VEU rebate program can benefit both tenants and
landlords. While tenants benefit from lower power bills and greater comfort, landlords benefit from improved
property value.

Let’s picture this:

Example Scenario

The tenant initiates the upgrade, and the landlord agrees. The installer’s quote shows the system costs $4,000, with
a $2,500 rebate, so the net cost payable is $1,500.

The tenant might offer to sign a 2-3-year lease extension, providing the landlord with stability in return for a
share of the savings, such as lower power bills or a slight rent increase.
Landlord receives a modern upgrade, a better energy rating, and reduced risk.
Tenants enjoy comfort and lower bills, all while living in a rental.

However, even with a rebate, the property owner must meet the minimum customer contribution.

For instance, for a non-ducted reverse-cycle air conditioner under 10 kW, the minimum cost is $200 for a multi–split
system and $1,000 for a ducted system.

So, remember! While rebates are generous, they don’t always cover everything.

Ready to Upgrade Your Rental Home’s Efficiency? Cyanergy Make it Easy!

Whether it’s Victoria or NSW, more efficient rentals mean happier tenants and lower running costs. It’s a win-win for both. Don’t wait to make your property more efficient and affordable to run.

Let Cyanergy handle everything from rebates to installation so you can enjoy peace of mind and lasting value.

Start your upgrade journey today with us!

Your Solution Is Just a Click Away

The post Can You Stack VEU with Solar or Other Incentives? – Find Out appeared first on Cyanergy.

Can You Stack VEU with Solar or Other Incentives? – Find Out

Renewable Energy

Invenergy Drops Four Offshore Leases, Turbines Become Reefs

Published

5 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Alice Rush

Weather Guard Lightning Tech

Invenergy Drops Four Offshore Leases, Turbines Become Reefs

Allen covers Invenergy returning four offshore wind leases for $765 million, a Block Island study finding turbines became reefs, RES’s Smart Pilot drone inspections, RWE’s three new French wind farms, and a $12 billion Japan-UK floating wind compact.

Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly newsletter on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on YouTube, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary’s “Engineering with Rosie” YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us!

Good Monday everyone. There is a deal being made in Washington today … and the ocean is watching.

Invenergy, the largest privately held power developer in North America, has agreed to hand back four offshore wind leases to the federal government. The price tag … seven hundred sixty-five million dollars. Those leases covered waters off New York, the Gulf of Maine, and Morro Bay off central California. One of those projects … Leading Light Wind … a two-point-four gigawatt development in the New York Bight … had already been canceled last November due to economic and regulatory pressure. The remaining three lease areas represented another four-point-eight gigawatts of potential capacity. All of it … gone.

In exchange, Invenergy will redirect that capital into natural gas plants in Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri … and into geothermal projects across the Western United States. This is now the eighth offshore wind lease the Trump administration has bought out. Total cost to the federal government across all eight deals … more than two-point-five billion dollars. Seven state attorneys general are already suing over an earlier buyout with another developer, arguing the administration lacks legal authority to use federal funds this way.

Invenergy is already pivoting toward geothermal. Just last week, the company acquired a five thousand-acre geothermal parcel in New Mexico through a federal lease sale. That brings its total federal geothermal footprint to forty-five parcels … one hundred forty-four thousand acres … across five western states.

While Invenergy’s offshore leases are being canceled … the ocean beneath those kinds of projects may be quietly thriving. Scientists have spent seven years studying the Block Island Wind Farm off the coast of Rhode Island … America’s first offshore wind installation. They tracked nearly a million marine animals across seventy-one species. What they expected to find was damage. What they found instead … was astounding.

Black sea bass abandoned their old wandering patterns and began clustering around the turbine foundations to feed. Blue mussels colonized the steel pylons. Macroalgae spread across the submerged surfaces. Cod, lobster, and reef fish moved into the rock piled around the bases. The turbines became reefs. Accidental … but unmistakable.

Researchers at the University of St. Andrews strapped GPS trackers to harbor seals expecting them to flee offshore wind farms. Instead … the seals swam straight lines through the turbine rows … stopping to forage at each foundation … like a delivery driver working a route. One seal traced the turbine layout so precisely that researchers said you could have mapped every foundation from that single animal’s trail alone.

Researchers are finding a sobering conclusion: whether a turbine helps the ocean or hurts it depends almost entirely on how old it is … and where it stands. New foundations going in … disruptive. Old foundations with fifteen years of growth on them … something closer to a reef. The science is finally precise enough to say which is which. The seals figured it out years ago. They just went where the food was … in very straight lines.

Meanwhile, on dry land … RES, the global renewable energy company, has launched a new tool called Smart Pilot that automates wind turbine blade inspections using drones. RES says it will take twenty-five percent less time. And it runs on standard DJI consumer drone hardware … no proprietary equipment required. RES currently supports approximately forty-five gigawatts of installed renewable capacity worldwide.

And over in France … RWE has officially opened three new wind farms in northern France. Combined capacity: sixty-eight-point-eight megawatts. Together, they will power approximately thirty-eight thousand French households with electricity from the wind. The projects took a decade from development to inauguration. The turbines are spinning now.

And over in the UK, Japan and the United Kingdom have signed an Offshore Wind Compact committing Japan to facilitate up to nine billion British pounds … roughly twelve billion dollars … in investment for five-point-nine gigawatts of floating offshore wind in British waters. Three projects underpin the deal. Ossian … three-point-six gigawatts … Green Volt … five hundred sixty megawatts … and Erebus … a one hundred megawatt demonstration project planned for the Celtic Sea. The United Kingdom called it a long-term structural measure. Not a reaction to the moment. But a bet on the future.

There are many roadblocks ahead for offshore and onshore wind. That is clear. Invenergy turning over their offshore leases feels more like financial leveraging than an internal philosophy shift. At some point in the relatively near future Invenergy can probably buy back those leases at a fraction of the cost. Because wind energy — along with solar energy — is only getting cheaper. And economics eventually wins.

And the worry about sea life due to offshore turbines — that worry seems misplaced.

And that’s the state of the wind industry for the 22nd of June 2026. Join us tomorrow for the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast.

Invenergy Drops Four Offshore Leases, Turbines Become Reefs

Renewable Energy

Congratulations to Our Most Deplorable People

Published

13 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Alice Rush

That’s as it may be, but he’s a handsome devil.

And that girl must by proud of herself and her moral values, right?

Congratulations to Our Most Deplorable People

Renewable Energy

Is This What Success Looks Like?

Published

3 days ago

June 19, 2026

Alice Rush

We have hundreds of convicted criminals on the streets due to Trump’s pardons. We have a quagmire in Iran due to Trump’s pointless and illegal war. The United States is viewed internationally with a blend of pity, contempt, and ridicule.