Exaggerating energy savings proves costly for energy upgrades business

The Essential Services Commission has taken action against Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) accredited business In2 Energy Pty Ltd (In2 Energy) for allegedly claiming Victorian energy efficiency certificates for non-compliant cold room upgrades. 

The VEU program is an energy efficiency program, designed to help Victorians cut their energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Accredited businesses undertake energy efficiency upgrades that entitle them to create certificates, which they can then sell.

The commission alleges In2 Energy: 

• exaggerated energy savings by claiming two cold room upgrades were for freezers when they were actually for fridges
• used a logo in marketing materials that resembled the Victorian Government logo.

Using a Victorian Government logo can mislead consumers into thinking they work for the Victorian Government or that upgrades are provided by the Victorian Government. 

The commission has:

• ordered the mandatory surrender of 180 Victorian energy efficiency certificates claimed by In2Energy, valued at almost $16,000
• issued a formal warning to In2 Energy against future non-compliance and reenforced the VEU program requirements for cold rooms and marketing.

As a VEU accredited business, In2 Energy must ensure their activities and the certificates they create comply with VEU program rules.

Quotes attributable to Essential Services Commission Chairperson and Commissioner Gerard Brody 

“We expect businesses to have safeguards in place to ensure they and contractors working on their behalf act with integrity. If they don’t, their accreditation, reputation and income are at stake.”

“The commission will not hesitate to use its strong enforcement powers for repeated and serious VEU rule breaches. This includes the power to restrict, suspend and cancel accreditation, ban businesses from the program, and issue fines.”

*Figure calculated using the certificate value of $88, the spot price on 6 October 2025.