The South Australian Retailer Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES) commenced on the 1st of January 2015, and will run until 2020. It requires larger energy retailers to help households and businesses save energy, opening up new opportunities for electrical contractors.
REES Covers A Lot Of Options
Under REES, energy retailers can offer a wide range of energy efficiency improvements, from installing or topping up insulation through window replacement to lighting replacement and upgrades.
It is, however, up to the retailers to decide both the mix of approved energy efficiency measures they will undertake and which third party contractors they will use.
The level of demand for energy improvements may well lie in the hands of households and businesses. Energy customers can approach any of the energy retailers that are covered by the scheme, not just their current retailer, to see what options are on offer.
Commercial Lighting Opportunities
While most of the eligible activities are confined to residential customers, the most significant large-scale opportunity for sparkies is commercial lighting upgrades.
These must be performed by licensed electrical workers under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor.
With the commercial building sector already switched on to the financial benefits of lighting upgrades, the added incentive provided by REES should see an upsurge in demand for this service, creating a definite opportunity for electrical contractors.
It’s Mandatory To Recycle Mercury Lighting
When it comes to the disposal of light bulbs and tubes there are a couple of key requirements that contractors need to be aware of.
The first is that no fluorescent lighting or any other lighting that contains mercury is to be disposed of to landfill.
In addition, proof must be provided that all removed lighting equipment has been properly decommissioned including proof of correct recycling or disposal.
Don’t Miss Out
Both of these conditions are easily met by partnering with Ecocycle.
We make it incredibly easy for you to recycle fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent lamps and halogen lighting. We also provide certificates of recycling as proof of compliance with REES requirements, and can even get you accredited for ISO 14001 standards so you can win more tenders.
If you’re an electrical contractor seeking to be part of the REES scheme, simply fill out the form below and one of our lighting waste specialists will tailor a lighting recycling solution for you, helping you win more work in South Australia:
