Two Victorian energy businesses are facing serious penalties after falsifying documents, staging photos, and breaching consumer protections.
More than $4m in energy efficiency certificates has been refused, and one company has been banned from the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program for five years.
The VEU program helps Victorian households and businesses reduce energy costs by supporting upgrades such as efficient water heaters and lighting.
Accredited businesses can then claim Victorian energy efficiency certificates, which can be sold to generate revenue.
Energy Efficient Upgrades (formally Shantey) had its VEU accreditation cancelled after the commission found it had provided false information on projects and breached consumer protections. The company is banned from reapplying for five years.
The commission found the business and its contractors staged photos to falsely claim upgrades. It says Energy Efficient Upgrades brought water heater units to properties with no existing heaters, engaged in banned sales tactics such as doorknocking, telemarketing, and high-pressure sales, and failed to obtain required consumer co-payments, including paying cash to some consumers to cover or refund co-payments.
The commission has also refused registration and ordered the surrender of 2586 Energy Efficient Upgrades certificates, valued at more than $200,000.
Ecosaver Australia faced a similar crackdown, with the commission refusing registration of 48,550 certificates, worth...
Two Victorian energy businesses are facing serious penalties after falsifying documents, staging photos, and breaching consumer protections. More than $4m in energy efficiency certificates has bee...