The CEFC Household Energy Upgrades Fund™ (HEUF) has helped Australian households slash energy bills by up to 80 per cent, making more than $1 billion in low interest loans available through the program since its launch two years ago.
The HEUF is empowering Australians to take charge of their energy use and reduce costs, with total household savings through HEUF finance estimated to be up to $16.4 million annually.1
CEFC finance has supported thousands of households to install and upgrade their homes with solar, batteries and energy efficient electric appliances including heat pumps, induction cooktops, air conditioning and EV chargers.
These upgrades have reduced energy bills and emissions by addressing upfront costs – a key barrier to household energy upgrades.
The Household Energy Upgrades Fund is delivering immediate cost-of-living relief while helping households future-proof their energy use. By reducing upfront costs through our co-financiers, we’re enabling more Australians to access proven technologies that deliver lasting savings and greater energy independence.Grace Tam
CEFC Head of Consumer Finance
People who took out a loan under the HEUF2 co-financing program are estimated to have:
- saved an approximately $1,700 to $2,300 a year on average in electricity bills
- reduced energy costs by around 80 to 85 per cent across upgraded homes
- saved around $570 on average in HEUF loan interest in the first year
The CEFC has committed more than $500 million through the HEUF to the end of June 2026, with seven lenders and co-financiers contributing a similar amount to deliver more than $1 billion of low interest consumer lending programs. This reflects the strong desire from co-financiers to help people reduce their energy spend and regain control of their bills.
HEUF loan customer, Justin, part of a family of five that installed a home battery earlier this year said the upgrade had delivered both financial savings and peace of mind. “The benefits that we’ve experienced from having the battery in the home definitely comes down to saving money. The battery is actually paying for itself.”
CEFC Head of Consumer Finance Grace Tam said the results highlighted the tangible impact of making clean energy more accessible. “The Household Energy Upgrades Fund is delivering immediate cost-of-living relief while helping households future-proof their energy use. By reducing upfront costs through our co-financiers, we’re enabling more Australians to access proven technologies that deliver lasting savings and greater energy independence.
“Australians are leading the charge in the energy transition, in their kitchens, living rooms and garages, by changing their energy use in their homes. This change is occurring nationally and at scale, benefiting individual households while creating more resilience in local grids. With energy costs remaining volatile, the program’s uptake points to a clear shift in how households are managing energy and costs.”
Electrification is also playing a key role. Households that disconnect from gas can avoid ongoing charges, estimated to be typically saving more than $200 a year and, in some cases, more than $600 depending on location.3 Upgrading to efficient electric appliances further reduces overall energy use.
The HEUF program is also changing how households interact with the energy system. Customers with loans that include access to a Virtual Power Plant can earn additional income while supporting the grid during peak demand by connecting their household energy system into a shared smart energy network.
The CEFC works with a growing number of co-financiers, including Brighte, Commonwealth Bank, ING, Plenti, Plico and Westpac to expand access to HEUF finance .
Please note: The CEFC does not provide finance to individual borrowers and is not involved in individual financing decisions. Interested borrowers should contact financial institutions directly.
1 Based on the number of HEUF loans as of June 2026.
2 Based on CEFC analysis and CSIRO modelling using data as at October 2025.
3 Based on CSIRO modelling.
