All HDB households to get S$300 Climate Vouchers to buy more efficient appliances

SINGAPORE: Families residing in Housing Board (HDB) flats across Singapore are set to receive S$300 (US$223) in Climate Vouchers as part of an initiative to encourage the adoption of energy- and water-efficient appliances.

Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor announced this allocation in parliament during her ministry’s budget debate on Monday (4 March).

The distribution of these e-vouchers  is an expansion of the existing Climate Friendly Households Programme rolled out in November 2020.

Presently, only HDB flats ranging from one to three rooms are eligible for S$225 worth of vouchers, designated for three specific product categories: a S$150 voucher refrigerators, a S$25 voucher for LED lights, and a S$50 voucher for shower fittings.

However, as part of the program’s expansion, all 1.1 million HDB households, including new flat owners until 2027, will now receive S$300 in vouchers.

The initial batch of vouchers is scheduled to expire on 20 March, preceding the issuance of the new set of vouchers.

Nevertheless, households that have already utilized the initial vouchers are still entitled to avail themselves of the new ones.

“With these enhancements, we hope to incentivise more households to choose resource-efficient options from the outset, or when their appliances and fittings are due for replacement,” Dr Khor said.

Commencing from 15 April of this year until 31 December, 2027, the e-vouchers will be available to all 1.1 million HDB households.

These vouchers, offered in varying denominations, can be utilized to purchase a range of ten energy- and water-efficient household products.

A consortium of retailers, including Audio House, Bathroom Warehouse, Best Denki, Courts, FairPrice, and others, have partnered in this initiative.

Additionally, new retailers such as Giant, Cold Storage, and Woodlands Domestic Electrical have joined, elevating the total number of participating outlets to 14, collectively boasting around 300 stores islandwide.

Singaporean and permanent resident households residing in HDB flats can conveniently claim their Climate Vouchers online through RedeemSG using their Singpass accounts starting 15 April.

For those needing assistance, Dr Khor assured support through the National Environment Agency (NEA) hotline.

To claim the vouchers, customers must present proof of their address at designated retail stores.

In a joint press release with NEA and the national water agency PUB, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment underscored the role of efficient appliances in reducing energy and water consumption, thereby curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

“By switching to more efficient appliances and fittings, households can reduce their energy (and) water consumption, lower their utility bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and play their part in slowing down climate change,” the agencies said.

As of January, more than 141,000 households out of more than 300,000 had registered for the first round of vouchers. Around 54,000 vouchers have been used, according to Dr Khor.

The authorities attributed the slow take-up rate to households deciding when to replace their appliances.

They also mentioned that the ten selected product types in the enhanced program account for approximately 60% of a typical household’s electricity usage and about 90% of water usage.

The Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme and Minimum Energy Performance Standards extended from 1 April 2025

Furthermore, the government is extending the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme and Minimum Energy Performance Standards to household water heaters and commercial refrigerators from 1 April, 2025.

NEA will establish minimum energy standards to phase out inefficient models and introduce a five-tick energy label scale for both appliances.

The implementation of the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme in 2008 and the Minimum Energy Performance Standards in 2011 was aimed to enhance the energy efficiency of both domestic and commercial appliances.

Since the introduction to these schemes Dr Khor said the average energy efficiency of household air-conditioners and refrigerators has improved by 59 per cent and 42 per cent respectively.

“This is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of about 405,000 four-room housing units, and translates to annual overall household energy savings of more than S$500 million,” she said.

NEA stated that regulations have now encompassed water heaters due to their status as the third most energy-intensive household appliances, following air-conditioners and refrigerators.

Water heaters typically consume around 10% of a household’s energy.

“There are more energy-efficient options, such as instantaneous water heaters, which on average consume about 50 per cent less electricity than electric storage water heaters. This enables homeowners to save on energy bills,” Dr Khor said.

NEA mentioned that by upgrading from a one-tick to a five-tick water heater, consumers can potentially save up to S$115 annually.

Additionally, commercial refrigerators in food establishments, which are commonly utilized in hawker centers, food courts, and restaurants, are highlighted as one of the most energy-intensive appliances in the kitchen.

Dr Khor noted that they can contribute to about one-third of hawkers’ electricity consumption.

Online reactions to the distribution of vouchers for HDB households

Examining the range of comments, online commentators display a varied reaction, with multiple recurring remarks in The Straits Times (ST) Facebook comment section indicating that certain users feel food vouchers would have been a more favorable choice.

They perceive food vouchers as a higher priority, particularly for families with multiple children.

Additionally, some individuals express reluctance to purchase equipment or appliances merely to supplement the cost, even with the availability of vouchers.

“Equipment, electrical appliances all in good working conditions, and why would I want to buy and top up whatever cost even with those vouchers? Can we not use to buy food and groceries,” one user wrote.

Other user expressed skepticism about the efficacy of providing vouchers for energy- and water-efficient appliances, noting that they personally have no need for such items, which may lead to the vouchers going unused.

The user suggested that offering monetary credits would afford recipients more flexibility to purchase items as needed.

Furthermore, some have raised doubts about the sustainability of consistently offering such incentives.

“Is it practical to keep giving such vouchers?” a user asked.

One user pointed out that individuals in need of purchasing these items may not necessarily require vouchers, as installment plans are readily available.

Instead, they emphasize the importance of focusing on daily essentials, stating that investing in appliances aimed at conserving electricity and water does not guarantee reduced utility bills.

The user underscores the significance of controlling utility and grocery prices as a more critical measure.

A user, referring to the vouchers as “minor discounts,” suggested that the most effective method to conserve energy is simply to reduce the usage of appliances.

“These days energy saving appliances are a lot more expensive,” the user added.

Some commentators also speculate whether the initiative serves primarily as a means to promote awareness of climate change and encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources.

Despite these opinions, there are individuals who perceive the allocation of vouchers by the Singapore government to HDB households as a generous act.