If you've been meaning to find out how energy efficient your home really is, now's a good time. The NSW Government is taking $330 off the cost of a Home Energy Rating, and you can book it in a few minutes through ZapCat.
I'm a big fan of this one. A rating shows you where your home is losing heat (or letting it in), which upgrades will make the biggest difference, and whether your home might already qualify for a green home loan.
What you get
An accredited assessor visits for up to two hours and looks at things like your insulation, windows, draughts, heating, cooling and hot water. You then receive a Home Energy Rating certificate with a star rating out of 10, a Home Energy Rating out of 100 and upgrade advice tailored to your home.
The certificate is valid for 10 years unless you make changes to the property. Since the Residential Efficiency Scorecard closed in June 2026, it's the main way to rate a home that's already built.
Who can apply
You need to own your home, live in NSW and be happy to fill in a short feedback survey afterwards. There's no income test, so it's open to plenty of households who miss out on other NSW energy programs.
How it works
Pop your address and a few details about your home into the ZapCat booking page.
Pick from the assessors who cover your area. You'll see their prices up front.
Your assessor books a time, visits and sends you your certificate.
You pay their price minus $330, then complete the survey.
Each assessor sets their own price. If yours charges $480, you'd pay $150. The minimum you'll pay is $110, and larger homes or a written report can cost a little more. Places are limited, so I'd book sooner rather than later.
How it helps with your home loan
Lenders usually qualify a home for a green rate in one of two ways: on its energy rating, or on specific features like solar, a battery or heat pump hot water. Your certificate is useful either way. If the rating meets a lender's threshold, it can qualify you on its own. If it doesn't, it shows you which upgrades are worth doing first. I go into this in more detail in Can You Refinance to a Green Home Loan? Yes, Even if Your House Rates Poorly.
Planning upgrades too? The NSW Home Energy Saver offers zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 for households earning up to $210,000. Here's how to make it work even harder.
Find out where your home stands
Got your certificate, or thinking about booking one? Send it my way and I'll tell you which green home loans your home qualifies for, and what it would take to get there if it doesn't yet.
This article contains general information only and does not constitute personal financial or credit advice. Program details, subsidy amounts and eligibility are set by the NSW Government and ZapCat and may change. Lender eligibility criteria, green loan discounts and product availability are subject to change. Marisa Hoffenberg is a Credit Representative (No. 537544) of Australian Credit Licence No. 393195. Please consider your own circumstances and seek independent advice before making any financial decisions.