Redemption Rate for Climate Vouchers

Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what is the utilisation rate of the Climate Vouchers under the enhanced Climate Friendly Households Programme (CFHP); (b) how will the Ministry promote the take-up rate for the Climate Vouchers; and (c) whether there are plans to expand the participating retailers under CFHP to include heartland electronics and electrical appliances stores.

Mr Xie Yao Quan asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how many HDB households have redeemed the $300 Climate Vouchers under the enhanced Climate Friendly Households Programme; (b) whether the Ministry will consider further expanding the programme to households in private properties; and (c) if not, why not.

In April 2024, the Climate Friendly Households Programme (CFHP) was expanded to all Housing and Development Board (HDB) Singapore resident households. As of 15 June 2024, more than 50% of eligible households, that is, about 607,000 households, have claimed their Climate Vouchers. Of these, about 90,000 households have started using their vouchers.

So far, the three most popular household products purchased were direct current fans, washing machines and refrigerators. The National Environment Agency (NEA) and Public Utilities Board (PUB), Singapore’s National Water Agency, will continue to work with stakeholders, including participating retailers, to publicise the programme and promote the take-up of the Climate Vouchers.

By switching to more efficient appliances and fittings, households will be able to save on their utility bills. For example, a 4-room HDB household that switches from a one-tick refrigerator to a three-tick refrigerator can save up to 6% on their utility bills. The savings depend on various factors, including a household’s usage pattern, size and the appliance’s energy or water efficiency in relation to the original appliance.

Households have access to a wide selection of retailers and climate-friendly appliances and fittings from the current list of 14 participating retailers, covering more than 300 stores. In addition, NEA, PUB and Government Technology Agency (GovTech) are onboarding more retailers, including heartland retailers, over the next few months. Participating retailers will need to configure their Point of Sales (POS) system to tag the eligible products in their inventory and enable voucher redemption by households. Interested retailers who do not yet have a POS system can tap on Enterprise Singapore’s Productivity Solutions Grant to receive up to 50% support to develop a POS system. As consumers can compare the prices across different retailers, there is market pressure on retailers to keep their prices competitive.

We will continue to track the progress of and review CFHP from time to time, taking into consideration suggestions on the scheme’s refinement and coverage.