Small business now has a new way to save money and energy
The NSW Government is recruiting small businesses across NSW to participate in a $15 million program to help ower power bills and carbon pollution.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Carmel Tebbutt said the Energy fficiency for Small Business Program offers an energy assessment, tailored action plan and a rebate of up to 5,000 for improvements.
"This program is an important way the Government can help the NSW community become more energy fficient," Ms Tebbutt said.
"Under the program eligible businesses receive an onsite energy assessment and an action plan to prioritise ays to save electricity.
"A rebate of up to $5,000 is also available to pay for up to half the cost of the improvements that have a return on nvestment period of more than two years".
Ms Tebbutt said the program offers important support to businesses wanting to save money and reduce their mpact on the environment.
"Often small changes such as making better use of natural light can make a big difference to business' power ills over a year," she said.
"Making more substantial changes, such as replacing outdated equipment, can lead to long term savings for
businesses."
Action businesses can take to improve energy efficiency include:
- switching to compact fluorescent or high efficiency luminaire lighting, which can cut electricity use for ighting by up to 75 per cent,
- replacing air conditioners that are more than 10 years old, which can reduce energy costs for heating and ooling by up to 40 per cent, and
- fixing leaks in compressed air systems, which can cut electricity use for the compressor by up to 50 per cent.
Businesses spending up to about $20,000 a year on electricity or employing up to about 10 people are eligible totake part. The Government program shares the cost of the initial audit. A phone call and an investment of only 50 is all that is needed to get started.
The Energy Efficiency for Small Business program is part of the $150 million Energy Efficiency Strategy funded nder the NSW Climate Change Fund.
For more information and to register go to www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus, email
sustainbus [at] environment [dot] nsw [dot] gov [dot] au or call the Environment Line on 1300 361 967
