3 Things to Check Before Submitting AC Claims

Written By Gui Dorf

Over the past months of processing claims, we’ve noticed a few VEU rules that have affected the accurate calculation of VEECs

 

We’ve outlined them below to help you quote accurately and ensure your claims can be submitted and paid without delays or follow-ups.

1. Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems

Under the VEU, there are three eligible product configuration types for installed systems:

  • Single Split System

  • Multiple Split – Fixed Head

  • Multiple Split – Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems

While Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) installations are relatively uncommon, there are eligible VRF products under the VEU.

For these systems, there are a couple of important points to keep in mind when installing and submitting claims to ensure your quotes are accurate and your submissions remain compliant.

The Essential Services Commission has recently confirmed that under the VEU, VRF systems can only be claimed as either a ducted or non-ducted installation.

In addition, some VRF models are only approved under the VEU for one specific configuration. Because of this, it’s important to check the product’s approved installation type before proceeding.

  • Where the product type is “ducted”, only ducted installation configurations can be claimed for VEECs.

  • Where the product type is “non-ducted”, only non-ducted installation configurations can be claimed for VEECs.

For convenience, the approved configuration of a system can be found in:

  • The new VEU Products Registry

  • Geo

  • Green Energy Trading’s Excel Calculator under Product Type

 

2. Installation Limits: Commercial vs Residential Premises

Under the VEU, installation limits depend on whether the upgrade is carried out at a commercial or residential premises.

Residential Premises

  • 1 ducted installation per premises

  • 5 non-ducted installations per premises, of which up to 3 can involve no decommissioning

Commercial Premises

  • 5 ducted installations per premises, of which up to 2 can involve no decommissioning

  • 10 non-ducted installations per premises, of which up to 3 can involve no decommissioning

There are also additional limits relating to the decommissioning scenario “hard-wired resistance electric room heater”:

  • Only one hard-wired resistance electric room heater can be replaced and decommissioned per premises.

  • Where an upgrade involves replacing both a hard-wired resistance electric room heater and either a ducted heater or slab heater, only one of these combinations can be claimed as a decommissioning scenario.

For your convenience, these limitations have been built directly into Geo. If the installation limits for the selected premises type are exceeded, the system will flag this while you’re completing the form.

 

3. Residential Premises — Definition

The Essential Services Commission (ESC) provides clear definitions of residential premises under the Victorian Energy Upgrades Program.

These include Class 1 (a & b) and Class 3 buildings.

Because of how the VEU defines residential properties, some sites that may look commercial are actually classified as residential. This includes buildings used for short- or long-term transient accommodation, such as:

  • Boarding houses

  • Hostels

  • Campsites

This definition has a direct impact on installation limits for buildings classified as Class 1b and Class 3. Even though these sites may operate like commercial businesses, they fall under the Residential category in the VEU and are therefore subject to the same installation limits as other residential properties.

For this reason, we recommend taking extra care when quoting upgrades at sites used for transient accommodation. If you’re unsure about eligibility or installation limits for a particular site, please reach out to us before providing a quote.

Our team is here to support you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Chloe Mills
03 9805 0742
chloe.mills@greenenergytrading.com.au

Maia Germano
03 9805 0743
maia.germano@greenenergytrading.com.au

Nadine Youm
03 9805 0700
nadine.youm@greenenergytrading.com.au

Gui Dorf
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