Who can take part in the Home Energy Upgrades program?
Property owners can arrange for any residential property in the City of Hume to have energy upgrades undertaken through the program. Register for free advice and no obligation quotes at Hume Home Energy Upgrades. For tenanted properties, the property owner will need to register and arrange the upgrades through our vetted suppliers.
Can rental properties access Home Energy Upgrades?
If you are the owner of a rental property in Hume, you may obtain quotes and have any of the Home Energy Upgrade products supplied and installed by our suppliers. Concession rebates are available for properties where a long fixed-term (more than 5 year) lease is in place with a tenant. The rental property owner needs to apply (not the tenant).
If you are a tenant, let your rental property owner know that they can improve their property through quality, affordable energy upgrades available via the Hume Home Energy Upgrades program. The rental property owner will need to complete the registration form.
All rental properties must have an efficient fixed heater (not portable) in good working order in the main living area. From October 2025, new proposed standards will require insulation and draught proofing for properties under a new lease.
There are also Victorian Government solar rebates for rental properties.
How much do home energy upgrades cost?
We publish the standard prices of all available home energy upgrades, including applicable rebates and discounts. Our vetted suppliers provide quotes specific to your needs, for example, sizing hot water systems, heating and cooling systems and insulation to suit your needs. The final quoted cost depends on specific circumstances, such as any switchboard upgrades, additional wiring and rebates applied. Free, no obligation quotes will detail the final cost for your install.
What rebates are available?
There are a range of attractive Victorian Government rebates, discounts and loans available to help you create an energy efficient home. In addition, Hume City Council offers rebates to eligible concession card holding homeowners who choose to have home energy upgrade products supplied and installed through this program.
The rebates and discounts available across the home energy upgrade products vary, and some have specific eligibility criteria. See further information on rebates and discounts or each home energy product.
YEF and the suppliers can assist you to access applicable rebates, discounts and loans.
Which home energy upgrades should I proceed with?
When you register for the program, if you know which home energy upgrades you are interested in, you can select those to receive free no obligation quote(s) from the relevant supplier, EnviroGroup and/or Enviroflex. After you receive the quotes, you can discuss them with the supplier or Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) to decide which upgrades are best for your home.
If you don’t know which home energy upgrades would be best to save energy and improve home comfort, Yarra Energy Foundation can provide free initial advice. The YEF team is here to help you understand your options and make informed decisions that suit your needs. You can call YEF on (03) 7037 6040.
How much money can I save with h
How much money can I save with home energy upgrades?
Savings will vary for each household. Speak to the relevant supplier(s) or YEF about which upgrades are likely to provide the greatest savings.
Who is responsible for supply and installation of the upgrades?
If you decide to proceed with the supplier’s quote – whether Enviroflex or EnviroGroup, depending on the product(s) being installed – that supplier is responsible for the installation, services, products, and warranties, subject to any terms and conditions provided with your quote.
Yarra Energy Foundation is not responsible for the supply and installation of upgrades but is available to respond to any questions you may have about the program.
What are my obligations as a registrant? What if I change my mind?
If you have registered your interest and received a quote(s), but have changed your mind, you have no obligation to proceed with installation.
You can choose to proceed to installation by accepting a quote from a supplier, along with any terms and conditions provided with the quote, and paying a deposit if required. The arrangement will be with the suppliers – either EnviroGroup or Enviroflex, depending on the upgrades – and not with Yarra Energy Foundation or Hume City Council.
If you change your mind after accepting a quote from a supplier, you will need to consider any terms and conditions provided with the quote and liaise with the supplier. YEF and Hume City Council are not responsible for these matters.
What should I do if I have issues during the installation process?
In the first instance, you should discuss your concerns directly with the supplier and they will seek to resolve any issues. While YEF is not party to your accepted quote with a supplier, if there are issues that are unresolved, please contact YEF for assistance.
How will my personal information be used?
The information you provide in the registration form is submitted to Yarra Energy Foundation and Hume City Council, and with your consent, will be shared with the following parties:
- Relevant supplier(s) depending on the home energy upgrade products you have expressed interest in: EnviroGroup for rooftop solar, heating and cooling, hot water and induction cooktops; Enviroflex for insulation and draught proofing. Enviroflex and EnviroGroup will only provide you with information about products and services other than those included in the Home Energy Upgrades program if you ask them or give them consent to do so. Note that if you are a concession card holder, the supplier will ask for evidence of your concession card for you to access the Council rebates.
- Hume City Council for promotional opportunities regarding my home energy upgrades (not all people who express interest will be contacted)
- Hume City Council’s Live Green Hume’s monthly sustainability newsletter mailing list.
Your personal information will be managed in accordance with our privacy policy and will not be disclosed to any other third party without your consent, unless required or authorised by law. You can contact Yarra Energy Foundation for access to and/or amendment of the information recorded.
What is Yarra Energy Foundation’s role in this program?
Hume City Council engaged the Yarra Energy Foundation as an independent partner to help deliver the Hume Home Energy Upgrades program. Through a rigorous evaluation process, YEF has appointed two reputable home energy upgrade suppliers with good quality products at affordable prices. YEF is here to provide independent advice to residents as they embark on their home energy upgrades journey. Find out more about YEF’s role in the program.
What was the selection criteria for appointed suppliers?
To select the preferred supplier, YEF considered the following:
- Capacity and expertise
- Product quality and warranties
- Customer service
- Price and value for money
In addition, the following requirements were evaluated:
- Supplier insurances
- Professional reference checks and customer reviews
- Industry accreditations and memberships
- Staff qualifications and training
- Environmental management and safety
What is load-shifting?
Load shifting is about maximising your bill savings by adjusting your energy usage patterns. By having electric appliances like your hot water system, dishwasher and washing machine running when your solar panels are generating electricity or when grid-supplied energy is cheaper, you can lower your energy bills.
What if there is a Heritage Overlay on my house?
A Heritage Overlay does not necessarily prevent the installation of solar PV or other works where a structure would be visible from the street, but you may need a planning permit first. Please email Hume’s Statutory Planning team at contactus@hume.vic.gov.au for advice. Find out whether your property is affected by a Heritage Overlay.