Improve your home's energy efficiency and save on bills

In brief:

• The Sustainable Household Scheme offers low-interest loans to help Canberrans improve their home’s energy efficiency.
• Loans have already helped thousands of Canberrans make practical and sustainable changes.
• Loans for e-cargo bikes are now available.

The Sustainable Household Scheme offers low-interest loans to help Canberrans make their homes more energy efficient.

Canberrans can reduce their environmental impact with energy efficient upgrades including:

• battery storage systems
• electric heating and cooling systems
• hot water heat pumps and evacuated tube solar hot water systems
• electric stove tops
• electric vehicles and charging infrastructure
• ceiling insulation.

The upgrades can also help households save money on bills.

Addition of electric cargo bikes

Loans for electric cargo (e-cargo) bikes are now available through the Scheme.

An e-cargo bike can be used to carry passengers or heavier loads like groceries, so it is suitable for day-to-day activities.

This means a household could use an e-cargo bike instead of a second car to reduce transport costs.

^{Loans for e-cargo bikes are now available through the Sustainable Household Scheme.}

How do the loans work?

Eligible Canberrans can get a low interest loan of up to $20,000 to install one or several energy-efficient products.

Through the Sustainable Household Scheme:

• you have up to 10 years to repay your loan (terms and conditions apply)
• there is a 3% interest rate
• there are no upfront costs or fees.

Brighte is the loan provider for the scheme.

More than $290 million in loans has been settled since the scheme started in 2021.

Battery storage systems

Since the Commonwealth Government introduced the Cheaper Home Batteries program in July 2025, there has been an increase in demand for battery systems.

Just over half of all Sustainable Household Scheme loan applications this financial year have been for battery systems.

Eligible Canberrans can take out a low-interest loan through the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme and use the Commonwealth’s Cheaper Home Batteries program to buy a cheaper battery.

You can find out more about the Sustainable Household Scheme and if you are eligible at the Climate Choices website.

Eligible concession card holders may be eligible for a zero-interest loan under the Home Energy Support Program.

Find out more about Cost of Living support in the ACT.

Read more like this:

• More Canberrans choosing electric vehicles
• ACT’s first network of neighbourhood batteries complete
• Simple ways to cut back on single-use plastics

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