Evaluating the financial case to upgrade
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) has developed a range of case studies that look at the financial outcomes from different types of energy efficiency upgrades.
Within each case study, they also look at the available financial options.
Heating and Cooling
Find out how a business saved $73,000 over 15 years by using an Environmental Upgrade Agreement to finance an energy efficient heating, ventilation and airconditioning system (HVAC).
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-hvac
Lighting
Find out how a business determined they would be better off by about $11,500 over eight years by using on-bill financing to finance a lighting upgrade. This case study compares a lighting upgrade from T8 lighting to the more efficient T5 alternative – the savings in this case study would have been higher if they had switched to LED tube lighting.
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-lighting
Refrigeration
Find out how a mushroom supplier determined that they would be better off by about $340,000 over 15 years if they invested in an energy efficient system.
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-refrigeration
Chillers
Find out how a business determined that they would be better off by about $610,000 over 25 years if they invested in an energy efficient system using an Energy Services Agreement to finance a chiller upgrade system.
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-chillers
Voltage Optimisation
Find out how a business using a capital lease to finance voltage optimisation saved a significant amount of money. The initial cost to install was $40,000 but within one year the system had paid for itself thanks to a first year electricity cost reduction of $40,000.
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-voltage
Motors
Find out how a textile manufacturer using an operating lease to finance motors determined that they would be better off by about $663,000 over 15 years if they invested in an energy efficient system.
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-motors
Variable-speed Motors
Find out how a business using a commercial loan to finance motors with variable speed drives determined that it would be better off by about $317,000 over 15 years if it invested in the energy efficient system.
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-vari-motors
Compressed Air
Find out how a processing plant using an Environmental Upgrade Agreement (EUA) to finance an energy efficient compressed air system determined that they would be better off by about $90,000 over 15 years if they invested in an energy efficient system.
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-air
Building Management
Find out how a property company using on-bill financing to finance a new building management system determined that it would be better off by about $64,000 over 15 years.
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-building
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System
Find out how a shopping centre owner determined that it would be financially better off if it invested in a solar photovoltaic (PV) system since the expected reduction in the cost of electricity purchased from the grid over the life of the system exceeds the cost to purchase and install it.
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-solar
Wind Turbine System
Find out how a meat processing plant determined it would be financially better off if it invested in a wind turbine, since the expected savings from the reduction in the cost of electricity purchased from the grid over the life of the system exceeds the cost to purchase and install it.
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-wind
Biogas Generation and Combustion
Find out how a piggery used an energy services agreement to finance a biogas system and reduced energy costs by $99,663 in the first year.
Visit: EnergyCut.info/oeh-biogas
Do you need solar finance for your business?
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has published a definitive guide to financing solar power upgrades for your business. In addition to listing a range of financing options, it lists the things you need to look out for when installing solar power at your business.
To make quote comparisons easier to compare, the site also has a template document that you can send to solar retailers and financiers.
For more information visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/business/solar-finance-guide.htm. The solar quote comparison template can also be downloaded from EnergyCut.info/solar-quote-template.