ACT Sustainable Household Scheme for Air Conditioning in Canberra
Green Air Heating and Cooling is an approved installer under the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme. New applicants from 1 July 2026 can finance electric reverse-cycle heating and cooling through Brighte at 3% interest, from $2,000 to $20,000, with up to 10 years to repay and no establishment fees. Applications before 1 July 2026 were capped at $15,000. New loans have been 3% since 1 July 2025, not zero interest. Rooftop solar is not on the scheme. NSW addresses, including Queanbeyan, are not eligible. Terms last checked on 11 September 2026.
Get a free SHS quoteCall 0412 794 558
Last checked: 11 September 2026 against the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme page. If the government changes the cap or rate, this page will be updated to match. Green Air does not provide financial advice.
What is the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme?
The Sustainable Household Scheme is an ACT Government loan, delivered by Brighte, that helps eligible ACT residents buy energy-efficient electric products. It is a loan you repay, not a discount off Green Air’s quote.
For heating and cooling, the scheme covers electric systems. That is the work Green Air does: split-system reverse cycle, multi-split, and ducted reverse cycle, including replacing ducted gas heating with electric reverse cycle. Gas appliances are not covered. Green Air does not take on new ducted gas heating connections.
Green Air sizes systems for Canberra, not a floor-area guess. A unit has to hold set point on a −5 °C July morning and a 38 °C January afternoon. That is why SHS installs still start with a site visit from 5 Geelong Street, Fyshwick.
What are the current loan terms?
These are the current terms as at 11 September 2026. Confirm them on the ACT page and with Brighte before you budget.
| Term | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Loan amount (new applicants) | $2,000 to $20,000 for applications from 1 July 2026, including installation |
| Loan amount (before 1 July 2026) | $15,000 household cap. That limit still applies if you already used the scheme before the lift |
| Interest | 3% on all new Scheme loans from 1 July 2025. The 0% rate ended 30 June 2025 |
| Term | Up to 10 years |
| Fees | No establishment fees or account-keeping costs. The lender may charge a late-payment fee |
| Early repayment | You can repay early with no penalty fee |
| Lender | Brighte. You must meet Brighte’s lending criteria, including a credit check |
| Above $20,000 | You may borrow more than the scheme cap if Brighte approves it. Interest on funds above the limit is set by the lender, not the ACT scheme |
| Solar | Rooftop solar is not eligible for a new SHS loan from 1 July 2025 |
| Workshop | A free one-hour live workshop, online or in person, is required |
Installers still publishing “interest free” are out of date. The 0% rate ended 30 June 2025. The $20,000 cap is for new applicants from 1 July 2026, not a discount off the quote.
What will it cost each month?
Indicative equal monthly repayments at 3% a year. Brighte confirms the exact schedule on approval.
| Loan amount | Typical Green Air job | Over 5 years | Over 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | Single split, one room | $54 / month | $29 / month |
| $5,000 | Large split or two small splits | $90 / month | $48 / month |
| $8,000 | Multi-split, three rooms | $144 / month | $77 / month |
| $12,000 | Ducted reverse cycle, small to medium home | $216 / month | $116 / month |
| $15,000 | Ducted reverse cycle, medium home | $270 / month | $145 / month |
| $20,000 | Ducted reverse cycle, larger home | $359 / month | $193 / month |
Figures are rounded indicative repayments at 3% with equal monthly payments. They are not a quote and not financial advice. A written Green Air quote states make, model, kW and price. Brighte states the loan.
Replacing a 15–25 year ducted gas heater in a Woden, Weston Creek or Tuggeranong house often removes a gas supply charge as well as the winter gas bill. For many homes that monthly saving covers a large share of the SHS repayment. Green Air will not promise a dollar saving from a photo.
How the scheme compares with other ways to pay
| Option | Typical interest | $20,000 over 10 years, interest paid |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable Household Scheme | 3% | About $3,160 |
| Personal loan | 8% to 14% | About $9,100 to $17,200 |
| Credit card | 18% to 22% | $20,000 or more |
| Buy now, pay later | Short terms and fees | Not practical for this amount |
Want the monthly figure for your house?Call 0412 794 558
Who is eligible?
The ACT page says the scheme is open to residents of the ACT who own a home (or who hold a current driving licence when the loan is for an electric vehicle). You also need to meet Brighte’s lending criteria, complete the workshop, and use an approved installer such as Green Air.
Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Googong and other NSW addresses are in Green Air’s service area for installation. They are not on ACT schemes. NSW quotes do not include SHS language.
Tenant and investment-property rules are set by the ACT Government, not by Green Air. Confirm those on the official page before you apply. Green Air will not tell a renter they are eligible if the government page does not.
Concession card holders
If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card, DVA Gold Card or Health Care Card, the Home Energy Support Program may apply instead of, or alongside, standard SHS terms. The ACT page currently describes rebates of up to $5,000 and a zero-interest loan of up to $10,000 for eligible concession households. Green Air does not assess concession eligibility. We can still quote the system and point you to the government page.
What is the free energy workshop?
Every SHS applicant must complete a free one-hour live workshop before the loan is approved. It can be online or in person. This is the step most installer pages skip, and it is the step that delays Brighte approval if you leave it until after you accept a quote.
- Format: live, online or in person
- Length: about one hour
- Cost: free
- Proof: a completion record to include with the Brighte application
Do the workshop as soon as you decide to upgrade, even before the Green Air visit. Then the quote can move to approval without waiting on the workshop diary.
Which Green Air systems can use the scheme?
Electric heating and cooling systems Green Air supplies and installs are the SHS-relevant products. Brands we install: Daikin, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung, Brivis and AirTouch. See air conditioning brands in Canberra.
Split-system reverse cycle
Best for one room, an apartment, a home office or a bedroom. Often same-day, typically 3–5 hours once access, electrics and a compliant outdoor location are confirmed. See split system air conditioning Canberra.
Multi-split
One outdoor unit running two to five indoor units. Useful where there is no roof space for ducting, or where rooms need independent control. See granny flat and secondary-dwelling air conditioning if the extra space is a studio, garage or granny flat.
Ducted reverse cycle
Whole-home heating and cooling from one system, with zoning so you are not conditioning empty rooms. This is the usual SHS path when a Canberra house is still on ducted gas plus a separate cooler. The $20,000 new-applicant cap covers more ducted jobs than the old $15,000 limit. If the quote is above the scheme cap, Brighte may still finance the balance at lender rates. See ducted heating and cooling Canberra and installation.
If the existing ducted unit still has capacity and rooms are fighting each other, start on the AirTouch 5 upgrade page rather than a full replacement. If the house never reaches set point, use system upsizing.
Can I replace ducted gas heating with the scheme?
Yes, when the replacement is an eligible electric reverse-cycle system. That is one of the highest-value SHS uses in Canberra: inner-south, Woden, Weston Creek and Tuggeranong houses with 15–25 year ducted gas and a cooling system that was never the only plant.
- One electric system for heating and cooling
- Existing ductwork can often be reused if it is in fair condition
- Gas appliances themselves are not eligible
- Green Air does not connect new ducted gas
If you are an ActewAGL electricity customer in the ACT replacing ducted gas, ask at quote whether an ActewAGL heating and cooling upgrade can also apply. Amounts and approved-retailer rules change. NSW addresses cannot use it.
Book a gas-to-electric assessmentCall 0412 794 558
How does the Green Air SHS process work?
- On-site quote. Green Air measures the house, checks ducts, electrics and roof space, and issues a written quote with make, model, kW and price. Where you are eligible, we can show the SHS loan amount against that quote.
- Workshop. You complete the free one-hour live ACT workshop and keep the completion record.
- Brighte application. You apply online with the quote and workshop record. Most applicants hear back within a few business days. Approval is Brighte’s decision, not Green Air’s.
- Installation. Splits are usually same-day. A typical single-storey ducted install is 1–2 days. Two-storey homes, tight roof spaces and full duct replacement take longer. Duration is in writing on the quote.
- Settlement. Once the system is installed and operational, Brighte pays Green Air. You repay Brighte. No cash has to change hands between you and Green Air on an approved SHS job.
Green Air handles the design and install. Brighte handles the loan. We will help you through the paperwork if you get stuck. We will not pretend we are the lender.
Why use Green Air for an SHS install?
- Approved SHS installer, residential work from Fyshwick for 12 years
- Owner still in the jobs, not a call-centre quote
- Written itemised quotes: make, model, kW, indoor and outdoor locations, duct and zone plan, controller
- Systems sized for Canberra winter and summer, not a brochure kW chart
- ARCtick RTA AU065949, ACT licence L194459, ABN 23 618 901 456
- Service area: Canberra and nearby NSW. SHS wording only on ACT addresses
This page exists so you can check current scheme terms, see a monthly repayment range, and book a quote without reading a stale “interest free” brochure. Repairs stay on repairs and maintenance. The scheme does not fund repairs or servicing.
Book my free SHS quoteCall 0412 794 558
Frequently asked questions
Is Green Air an approved installer under the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme?
Yes. Green Air Heating and Cooling is an approved installer. Eligible electric reverse-cycle systems we supply and install can be financed through Brighte under the scheme.
How much can I borrow under the Sustainable Household Scheme?
New applicants from 1 July 2026 can borrow from $2,000 to $20,000. Applications before 1 July 2026 were capped at $15,000. If you already used the $15,000 household limit before that date, you cannot top up to $20,000. You may borrow more than the scheme cap if Brighte approves it. Interest on funds above the limit is set by the lender.
What is the interest rate on the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme?
3% on all new Scheme loans from 1 July 2025. The scheme is not interest-free. Eligible concession card holders should check the Home Energy Support Program, which the ACT page describes separately.
Does the scheme still offer 0% interest?
No. New SHS loans have carried 3% interest since 1 July 2025. Pages that still say zero interest or interest free are out of date.
What air conditioning is covered by the scheme?
Electric heating and cooling systems, including split, multi-split and ducted reverse cycle. Gas appliances are not covered. Rooftop solar is not eligible for a new SHS loan from 1 July 2025.
Can I use the scheme to replace ducted gas heating?
Yes, when the replacement is an eligible electric reverse-cycle system. Green Air assesses whether existing ducts can be reused. We do not install new ducted gas heating.
Do I have to complete a workshop?
Yes. All applicants complete a free one-hour live energy-efficiency workshop, online or in person, and include the completion record with the Brighte application.
Can I use the scheme if I live in Queanbeyan?
No. Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and Googong are in Green Air’s installation area. ACT finance and rebate wording does not apply to NSW addresses.
Do I pay Green Air anything upfront on an SHS job?
On an approved SHS loan, Brighte pays Green Air after the system is installed and operational. You repay Brighte. If you are not using the scheme, normal quote payment terms apply.
Does the scheme cover air conditioning repairs?
No. The scheme funds new eligible energy-efficient systems. For breakdowns and servicing use the repairs and maintenance page.
Green Air Heating and Cooling, 5 Geelong Street, Fyshwick ACT 2609. Approved installer under the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme. Loans are provided by Brighte and are subject to eligibility and credit approval. Green Air does not provide financial advice. Scheme terms are set by the ACT Government and were last checked on 11 September 2026. Email dean@greenairhc.com.au.