Hey, Let’s Get You Energized: The Deets on Victorian Energy Efficiency Program! ππ‘
Yo, ever wondered how to get the most bang for your energy buck while saving the planet? π The Victorian Government Energy Efficiency Program is here to kick some serious energy waste to the curb!
The Cool Stuff You Get:
- Who’s In?: Literally, everyone in Victoria! π
- Upgrades: LED lights, snazzy heating, and cooling, and even water-saving tech. All the goods! π οΈ
- The Price Tag: Zero to nada! Government’s got your back with rebates! πΈ
- Pro Team: Only the A-listers of the energy world get to pimp your space. π
- Green Vibes: Cut down on your carbon badness and feel good about it! π±
Why You Should Care:
- Save Dat Money: See your energy bill shrink faster than ice in the sun! π
- Be A Hero: Rock that cape, youβre an environmental champ! π¦ΈββοΈ
- Cash in: Your place’s value just skyrocketed. You’re welcome! π°
Let’s Do This:
- Find out if you’re the chosen one (spoiler: you are).
- Get an energy check-up from the pros.
- Pick your energy upgrades like youβre shopping for kicks. π
- Let the pros do their magic. π©
- Party in your newly pimped, energy-efficient pad! π
So, are you in or what? For the full scoop, hit up the official website or give a shout to your local energy guru!
Ready to live that energy-efficient dream? ππ₯
Ref: https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/victorian-energy-upgrades-program
The Importance of Choosing the Right Emergency Lighting Product and Maintenance: A Guide to Australian Standards
Introduction
Emergency lighting plays a crucial role in guiding people to safety during crises such as power outages, fires, and other emergencies. An effective emergency lighting system can be the difference between calm evacuation and chaotic escape, possibly resulting in injuries or loss of life. This is why choosing the right emergency lighting product and ensuring it remains in good working condition is of utmost importance. In Australia, specific standards govern the installation and maintenance of emergency lighting.
Australian Standards: AS/NZS 2293
In Australia, the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2293 regulates emergency escape lighting and exit signs for buildings. The standard is divided into three main parts:
- AS/NZS 2293.1: System Design, Installation, and Operation
- AS/NZS 2293.2: Routine Service and Maintenance
- AS/NZS 2293.3: Emergency Luminaires and Exit Signs
These standards provide guidelines for product requirements, installation procedures, and periodic checks and maintenance.
Choosing the Right Product
Compliance with AS/NZS 2293 is not just a legal requirement but also an assurance of quality and effectiveness. When selecting a product, ensure that it meets or exceeds the criteria laid out in AS/NZS 2293.3, which specifies luminaire performance requirements.
Factors to consider when choosing a product:
- Luminance: A higher lumens rating means a brighter light, but balance is key. Too much light can be as disorienting as too little.
- Battery Life: Consider products with longer battery lifespans and quicker recharge times.
- Durability: Opt for products designed to withstand extreme temperatures and conditions.
- Ease of Installation: Look for products that are straightforward to install, which reduces installation errors and subsequent risks.
Maintenance is Key
According to AS/NZS 2293.2, routine service and maintenance of emergency lighting systems should be carried out at intervals not exceeding 12 months. The standard outlines various tests, including a 90-minute battery discharge test and cleaning of luminaire diffusers, to ensure optimal operation.
Maintaining your emergency lighting in good working order involves:
- Regular Inspections: Conduct monthly checks for visible defects and annual tests for performance.
- Battery Checks: Regularly inspect and replace batteries as needed.
- Documentation: Maintain a logbook as stipulated in AS/NZS 2293.2, recording all inspections, tests, and maintenance procedures.
Conclusion
Compliance with Australian standards is crucial, but beyond that, your choice of emergency lighting and its maintenance can have a direct impact on people’s safety during emergencies. Opt for products that meet or exceed AS/NZS 2293 guidelines, and don’t underestimate the importance of regular maintenance to ensure your systems are always ready when you need them most.

Emergency lighting solutions are critical for the safety and well-being of occupants in a building, especially during power failures, fires, or other emergency situations that may compromise the primary lighting system. These solutions can generally be categorized into two types: monitored and non-monitored. Understanding the key differences between the two is essential for making an informed decision on which system to implement.
Monitored Emergency Lighting Solution:
- Remote Management: Monitored systems are connected to a centralized control panel, which constantly checks the status of each lighting fixture.
- Automated Testing: These systems can conduct self-tests to ensure they are in optimal working condition. Any faults or problems are automatically reported.
- Compliance: Easier to maintain compliance with safety standards like Australia’s AS/NZS 2293, as the system keeps logs of tests and performance metrics.
- Cost-Efficiency in Long Run: Although the initial setup cost may be high, monitored systems can be more cost-efficient in the long run due to reduced manual testing and maintenance costs.
- Instant Alerts: Facility managers receive immediate notifications in case of a failure, allowing for quicker resolution.
Non-Monitored Emergency Lighting Solution:
- Manual Oversight: Requires manual inspection and testing to ensure all components are functioning correctly.
- No Central Control: Lacks a centralized monitoring system, making it more challenging to manage multiple lights or fixtures across a large facility.
- Compliance Challenges: Maintaining compliance with safety standards may require more extensive record-keeping and manual testing, thereby increasing labor costs.
- Lower Initial Cost: Generally cheaper to install than monitored systems but may incur higher maintenance costs over time.
- Delayed Issue Detection: Issues like battery failure or lamp issues are only identified during routine checks, possibly compromising safety in an emergency.
In summary, monitored emergency lighting solutions offer more sophisticated management features, greater ease of compliance with safety standards, and long-term cost-efficiency. However, they often come with a higher initial investment. On the other hand, non-monitored systems are generally simpler and cheaper to install but may incur higher long-term costs and offer less immediate oversight. Choose the one that best suits your facility’s needs, keeping in mind both safety and budgetary considerations.

The final decisions regarding updates to the lighting components of the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program have been made. These include revisions to the initially suggested timeline for discontinuing certain activities that were presented for consultation in December 2019.
In line with predictions, the subsidies for most commercial LED lighting will indeed be phased out, although this will occur on an extended schedule compared to the original proposal.
The key changes are:
Activity | What this entails | 31 Mar 2021 | 31 Jan 2022 | 31 Jan 2023 |
Part 27 | The replacement of public lighting mercury vapour lamps (street/path lighting etc). | Mercury vapour lamps removed | ||
Part 34 β J6 | The replacement of low efficiency lights in a building that requires a building permit (renovations etc). | Align with NCC 2019 IPD | Activity removed | |
Part 34-Non-J6 | The replacement of most low efficiency lights in a commercial building. | High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps incentive reduced by 40% (including mercury vapour β canopies, floodlights, highbays) | HID incentive further reduced by 60% | Activities removed
T5, T8, T12 and CFL remain |
Part 35 | The replacement of pole- based lights (carparks etc). | Mercury vapour lamps removed |
See the VEU website for more details:Β https://engage.vic.gov.au/victorian-energy-upgrades/lighting
What does it mean?
At present, the bulk of commercial LED lighting upgrades are categorized under Part 34 β Non-J6. These projects are scheduled to experience significant reductions in subsidies shortly by January 2023. Consequently, by the onset of next year, the opportunity for complimentary lighting upgrades will be reduced, and for more complex installations, expenses could escalate by as much as 40% from current costs.
Positive Outlook
However, there is a silver lining. Subsidy rates are at their peak right now, which means most straightforward LED upgrades utilising NRGPAL products will continue to be offered at no charge until next major announcement by ESC.
Commitments
Given that the lead time for projects can vary from a brief two weeks to as long as three -four months based on the project’s size, immediate action is key. We encourage you to act promptly to ensure you receive a complimentary, no-obligation inspection and proposal.


