Ever since Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg put climate change on the world map, it’s been one of the most talked about issues globally.
Closer to home, the Greta effect seems to have rubbed off on our sunny island.
By now, you would have heard about the climate vouchers and Singapore’s effort to do its part for Mother Earth.
Did you miss the earlier tranche of climate vouchers worth $225? Not to worry, the Government recently issued a new set of vouchers and upsized the amount to $300!
From 15 April 2024 to 31 December 2027, all HDB households can now use the vouchers to buy 10 energy- and water-efficient household products, including fans, washing machines and refrigerators.
If you’re new to buying climate-friendly household products, the good folks at FairPrice Group (FPG) have put together an easy-to-follow guide to help unlock your inner Greta.
2. Redeem Your Climate Vouchers
First, you’ll need to claim your vouchers. If you’re already using your Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers, you’ll be happy to know it’s pretty much the same process.
- Visit gov.sg/cv-claim and tap on “Climate Vouchers”.
- Login with Singpass.
- You will receive an SMS from RedeemSG or gov.sg containing a unique link to your Climate Vouchers.
While only one household member can claim the vouchers, you may forward the link to share them with other members.
2. Consider Buying Energy Guzzlers to Save on Bills
While you can choose from 10 products to spend the vouchers on, FPG recommends focusing on those that consume the most energy to save more money.
A check of the Household Energy Consumption Study 2017 for all housing types listed on the National Environment Agency’s website revealed that air conditioners, water heaters, and refrigerators comprise 52 per cent of a household’s total electricity consumption.
Therefore, the smart thing to do would be to use your vouchers on one of these energy guzzlers to cut your utility bills in the long run.
Luckily, air-conditioners and refrigerators are on the Climate Vouchers’ eligible products list.
Source: PUB
3. Where to Spend the Vouchers
If you’ve been to FairPrice Xtra outlets, you’ll know they stock a good range of eligible household products, including air conditioners and refrigerators.
Look out for the price posters that say, “This item can be paid with Climate Vouchers”. They’re usually located right above the product, so you won’t miss it. This saves you the trouble of wondering if the vouchers can be used for the item you have your eyes on.
Prefer to shop online? You can browse the FPG app to see if the eligible item is available.
Needless to say, NTUC union members will earn Linkpoints with every purchase, which is plenty for big-ticket household items.
Air-conditioner
This is essential to help beat the heat, but it accounts for almost a quarter of your consumption, at 24 per cent. Yikes!
FairPrice Xtra’s range of eligible air conditioners can cool your crib from $2,499 for a System 1 to $5,299 for a System 4, with brands like fan fave Mitsubishi and Daikin.
With so many brands to choose from, what do you pick? FPG suggests checking how much the energy consumption costs.
For example, Daikin costs $419 a year for a System 1 used eight hours daily, making it the most affordable among the eligible brands. Priced around the mid-range of $2,799, you’ll be thanking us for the noticeably lower bills in the coming years.
Refrigerator
The next on your list should be a refrigerator — it is the second-highest energy monster, gobbling 17 per cent of total energy.
FairPrice Xtra’s range boasts a variety of brands, like Sharp and Toshiba, with top and bottom freezer options priced from $604.55 to $1,039.
Don’t forget FPG’s tip about reading the label for the average annual cost. This makes the Sharp 2-door fridge a good choice. At $755.94, it may not be the most wallet-friendly, but the lowest annual cost of $76 compared to other eligible brands makes it a shoo-in.
Fan
Although fans don’t make the top three guzzler list, the ‘super saver’ in you may want to buy a fan (or two) and still have vouchers to spare.
You’ll also be stoked to know the options at FairPrice Xtra can please even the fussiest family members.
For families, stand fans range from $129 to $209.90. They are perfect for cooling the hall or dining area yet safe enough to prevent the little ones from getting into accidents.
Singles and couples may like the bladeless selections for their sleek, slender looks. The wind range is sufficient for a party of one or two. Consider the Midea model ($199), which has a built-in air purifier to chase away dust and airborne particles.
Also, consider the high-velocity Midea fan ($141.90) if you prefer less direct wind and better air circulation. It can swivel in pretty much any direction, ideal for airing out that stuffy room you’ve been using for work-from-home days.
Click here to locate the nearest FairPrice Xtra outlet to your home.