SA (REPS) Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme Information

Read below to find out more about the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) in South Australia

What is REPS?

The Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) is an initiative that has existed since early 2021, created by the South Australian Government. It was designed specifically to help both residential and commercial customers boost their energy efficiency, which not only saves them money on their energy bills but also works towards cutting Australia’s carbon emissions. It replaced the REES scheme in an attempt to expand energy-saving efforts, and it has been largely successful.

Large energy retailers, which are known as obliged retailers, are legally bound to perform the energy upgrades to meet certain emission and energy use targets. In 2025, annual energy productivity targets have been set at an ambitious 3,750,000 gigajoules of energy, up from 2,500,000 when REPS started in 2021.

The list of obliged retailers covers more than 30 companies, including nationwide businesses such as Origin Energy, AGL Energy, and EnergyAustralia. The range of upgrades required covers everything from lighting and hot water systems to air conditioners and commercial refrigeration.

Who is Eligible to Access REPS?

The aim of REPS is to reduce overall energy consumption in the state, and although it is directed at retailers, these targets cannot be met just by improving business practices. Energy use needs to be reduced, and residential properties are one of the main drivers of electric and gas consumption.

Due to this, the REPS is focused on helping households to upgrade how they use energy, and it’s more than likely that every household is entitled to receive the upgrades.

Whether you’re a homeowner, in a rental property, or in public housing, you can still be eligible for upgrades to hot water systems, cooling units and lighting. There are certain Priority Groups who can qualify for extra levels of support, such as if you are a pensioner or your home’s rent is under $2000 per month. It covers all types of homes, including townhouses, apartments, detached properties and rental homes.

If you’re a business, then the scheme covers you too, no matter how big or small it is. Whether you’re a small cafe, gym, supermarket, or beauty salon, everyone can benefit from the scheme. Areas where commercial premises often benefit is usually refrigeration and HVAC systems, but it also covers things like lighting and hot water system upgrades too.

How Does REPS Work?

The system is set up in such a way that the larger retailers of energy are obliged to help their customers, whether residential properties or commercial ones, to lower their energy consumption. It works like this:

Each retailer is assigned a target for energy consumption, which is legally binding. They may have a system set up to deliver the changes themselves, or they may partner with an activity provider.
As retailers work with these activity providers, there is often a substantial reduction in the price of how much these upgrades cost for the average homeowner or business owner, due to subsidies.
Customers can then apply for certain upgrades from the retailer or a provider who has been accredited to deliver the services. Once the property’s eligibility is checked, you can have the changes completed.
Installation takes place and everything such as compliance and safety is signed off. Under the scheme, you can have changes such as a hot water system replaced, or new LED lighting throughout your business or home at a fraction of the price.

A small minimum co-payment of $33 per property or business may be requested unless you are exempt.

What are Approved REPS Activities?

There are a total of 31 REPS activities that you can carry out in your home or business. These include glazing, insulation, and installing new appliances.

However, the four main activities that most homeowners and businesses choose to take advantage of are commercial lighting, commercial refrigeration, upgrades to hot water systems, and air conditioning upgrades. We’ll look at each of these in closer detail.

Commercial Lighting

Lighting properties can account for a significant part of a business’s energy consumption, so this scheme allows you to upgrade to LEDs and save up to 80% on lighting costs. It also lowers the cost of maintenance and improves the quality of light in spaces like offices and warehouses.

Under the scheme, you can replace all of your old fluorescent and halogen bulbs with LEDs. It also permits you to install a range of lighting controls, such as timers to save even further. Disposing of the old lighting is also included.

This is only for commercial properties, and the new lighting has to meet or exceed recommended performance. The existing lighting you have should be in good working order at the time of the upgrade, and no extra electrical work needed will be included.

Commercial Refrigeration

For a business like a food retailer, supermarket, restaurant or cafe, refrigeration can account for more than half of all energy costs as it needs to be run 24/7. When you upgrade to a more efficient appliance, the operating costs drop.

With this upgrade, you can replace your old inefficient display cabinet with a high-efficiency product that meets the minimum requirements. It also includes the disposal of old units.

Again, this is only for commercial premises and only systems which use vapour-compression cycles are permitted.

Hot Water Systems

Heating systems use a lot of energy whether it’s for a residential or commercial property, and with this scheme you can choose to upgrade. Old electric systems can be replaced with a solar heating unit or a heat pump, saving you hundreds of dollars each year.

Not only can you upgrade the system itself to something more efficient, but you can also request to have the showerheads and other fittings upgraded too.

This service is in high demand as it covers both homes and businesses, and the new system has to comply with both safety regulations as well as being properly plumbed in.

Air Conditioning

In the summer months, air conditioning accounts for a large portion of energy consumption for both homes and businesses. Similarly, in winter, HVAC units can consume large amounts of electricity.

Included in the REPS, you can have your old units disposed of for free, and new split systems installed on residential and commercial properties. They need to be higher in efficiency than the ones you already have, and need to be reverse-cycle split systems.

They’re available for both homes and commercial premises, but the new replacement unit has to meet or exceed energy-saving requirements.

How to get your REPS Upgrades?

Anyone in South Australia can take advantage of the REPS the upgrade their home or business to make it more energy efficient, and reduce consumption.

Step 1: Check if you are eligible

The first step is to find out whether you are eligible for an upgrade or not, as some activities are only available for commercial premises, such as new refrigeration units, and some are available just for residential properties, such as the installation of new pool pumps. To find out if you qualify, fill in our form, and we will get back to you.

Step 2: See if you qualify as a priority group

If you are receiving income support such as JobSeeker Payment, Age Pension, or Disability Support Pension (or someone in your household does) then you will qualify. If you’re in this group, you can get even more benefits, such as lower payments on the appliances you need to install, and the co-payments may also be waived.

Step 3: Select your accredited provider

You must have your installation or upgrade completed by a provider that has been accredited by REPS. This means you can choose your own from the list on their website, or contact a provider directly and as if they are part of the scheme. Once they confirm this, you can begin to get quotes for the work to be done.

Step 4: Getting your quotes

You can reach out to your preferred provider and book an assessment for you concerning the type of upgrade you want. It might be a single service like hot water systems, or combine multiple upgrades like lighting and HVAC. You can discuss the different products that will be installed and get a quote for the work to be carried out.

Step 5: Choose a date for the installation

Once everything is agreed upon, you can book the technician to carry out the upgrades at a time to suit you. All of the work must be carried out to the standards of the REPS program, and you’ll also receive the correct documentation telling you everything that has been carried out and the specifications for it.

How Long Does it Take to Get REPS Upgrades?

There are many factors surrounding how fast upgrades can be added to your home or business. Simple tasks like changing LED lighting can be carried out quickly by supplying new bulbs, but larger projects like hot water systems or HVAC installation (with all of the plumbing and electrical work needed) can take longer to process.

Peak times and product availability also play a role in how fast you can expect your upgrades. Companies installing air conditioning units might be busier in summer, and the same for heating units in the winter. Some units included in the scheme may take longer to install if they are in demand for the price and energy efficiency they offer.

There are also factors like the location of your property and whether you need multiple upgrades from different providers to take into account.

Normal Timeframe to Expect for Upgrades

Checking your eligibility can take up to 48 hours, as businesses and residential customers will need to be assessed for the upgrades they want. You should provide all the details requested, such as your property type, but your current fixtures and appliances will need to be checked too to make sure they are eligible.

A site visit is usually booked within 1 to 2 weeks for a site inspection. A technician can visit your home or business and check the existing setup, including the energy efficiency calculations of appliances like refrigeration units and air conditioning units. If you are eligible, you can discuss the upgrades you need and pricing.

Installation can be completed in a single day for smaller residential tasks, such as lightbulb changes to LED ones, but commercial premises requiring full hot water systems can expect at least 2 days to complete. Always ask your provider ahead of time for the specific timeline of your REPS upgrades.

Apply for the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme Today!

The Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme is an excellent way to upgrade your home or business if it’s something you’ve been thinking about anyway. Even just a small upgrade, such as replacing your office lighting with LEDs, can save you money each year.

For properties with inefficient hot water systems, the initial outlay, even with the discounted rates, will allow you to get a good return on your investment every time you take a shower. What’s more, when you choose multiple upgrades at the same time, you’re making larger savings in the long run, and such upgrades can add to the value of your property.

The first thing to do is get in touch to check your eligibility, and we can let you know all of the REPS upgrades you can take advantage of for your home or business. It only takes a few minutes to complete, and we will get back to you quickly to discuss your options, see how much discount you can enjoy, and what products might be suitable for your upgrade.

Learn more by clicking the link below:

www.energymining.sa.gov.au/industry/energy-efficiency-and-productivity/retailer-energy-productivity-scheme-reps

If you are a business owner or a home owner located in South Australia, Efficient Energy Group can help save you both time and money by providing huge discounts to both commercial and residential projects through the Australian Government Retail Energy Productivity Scheme. (REPS)