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$24.8m package to sway 1- to 3-room HDB households towards energy and water-efficient appliances: Masagos

$24.8m package to nudge 1- to 3-room HDB households towards energy and water-efficient appliances: Masagos
Masagos noted that many households purchase one- or two-tick refrigerators partly due to the high upfront cost of energy-efficient models, without considering the potential energy consumption savings over the long run. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

SINGAPORE — A $24.8 million “climate friendly household package” will be introduced to help those living in one-, two- and three-room HDB flats invest in energy and water efficient electrical appliances.

“These households will receive a once-off $150 voucher to purchase refrigerator models approved by (the National Environment Agency) that have three ticks and above,” said Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masgos Zulkifli in Parliament on Monday (4 March).

“Not only will this help fight climate change, households can benefit from electricity cost savings of up to $60 annually,” he added during his ministry’s Committee of Supply debate. NEA’s tick rating system for air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers helps consumers to identify energy-efficient household products.

Masagos noted that many households purchase one- or two-tick refrigerators partly due to the high upfront cost of energy-efficient models, without considering the potential energy consumption savings over the long run. He added that showering also takes up a significant proportion of water consumption.

One- to three-room household will also each be given a $50 voucher to offset the cost of changing their shower fittings to more water-efficient three-tick models, said Masagos.

“We will also extend the ‘Switch And Save – Use LED’ programme launched in 2018 to all three-room HDB flats,” he added. The programme offers $25 vouchers to qualified households making the switch to more energy-efficient lights.

“If all eligible households make the switch, we can collectively reduce emissions, equivalent to taking around 12,600 cars off the road and save up to 400 million gallons of water, annually,” said Masagos.