Climate Friendly Households Programme aircon rules
The Climate Friendly Households Programme (CFHP) is a joint initiative by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency. It aims to help households use energy and water more efficiently and save on utility bills. Its about page says eligible households can claim Climate Vouchers to offset the purchase of 12 types of energy- and water-efficient appliances and fittings.
The aircon rule is short. The programme's eligible products page says eligible air-conditioners must have 5 ticks. A model with 4 ticks or fewer does not qualify, even if the shop is a participating retailer. If you want to understand what the extra ticks mean beyond the vouchers, compare a 5-tick or 3-tick aircon.
The ticks come from NEA's Energy Label, which rates efficiency from 1 tick (Low) to 5 ticks (Excellent). The label covers casement, window, split type (non-inverter), split type (inverter) and portable air-conditioners. NEA's footnote says portable air-conditioners are rated only from 1 to 2 ticks, so a portable unit cannot meet the 5-tick rule above.
Who can claim
The programme's about page sets out who can claim: eligible HDB households and Singapore Citizen households in private homes. It also says multiple families or tenants at one registered address are collectively entitled to one household's vouchers. In other words, the vouchers follow the address, so a home with two families still gets one household's share.
The programme's terms add that one member of the household claims the CFHP vouchers for the registered address. Agree at home who will do it before anyone starts.
Moving home or renting out a unit changes things. The programme's FAQ says new homeowners should claim under their new address after updating their registered address with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and seeing it on Singpass. The same FAQ says a unit owner whose registered address is not at the unit cannot claim for that unit. So if you rent out a unit and are registered elsewhere, you cannot claim for the rented unit. If your situation is not covered here, read the full FAQ before you shop.
How to use the vouchers
The programme's terms and conditions explain how the vouchers work. You claim them through RedeemSG, logging in with Singpass. They are valid only for eligible products that carry NEA's energy label, PUB's water efficiency label or both, or for approved light-emitting diode (LED) lights, direct current (DC) fans and induction stoves. They also work only at participating retailers.
In practice, these are energy efficient appliance vouchers tied to a label and a set of shops, not general credit. Whichever of the aircon types you are considering, the exact model must carry 5 ticks and the shop must be a participating retailer.
The terms are also clear about money. If the vouchers do not cover the full price, you pay the balance. If they are worth more than the purchase, no refund is given for the difference. The vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash.
Replacing an old unit? The programme's eligible products page says that under the Resource Sustainability Act, the retailer that delivers a regulated product such as an aircon, refrigerator or washing machine must take away your old appliance of the same type for free on request. Ask for this when you arrange delivery. If you are unsure whether the old unit needs replacing at all, read repair or replace an old aircon.
Other eligible products
Aircons are one of the 12 types. The programme's eligible products page also lists refrigerators with 3 ticks and above, 5-tick water heaters, 4-tick washing machines, 3-tick water closets, taps and shower fittings, DC fans (with a DC motor, excluding those with non-LED lights), LED lights with 2 ticks and above, 5-tick clothes dryers and induction stoves. Check the tick rating against that list before you buy any of them. For the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) ticks on taps, showers and water closets, see WELS ticks explained. If you are weighing a fan against an aircon for one room, compare the aircon or fan running cost.
Avoid voucher scams
Check every voucher message before you tap a link. The programme's FAQ says the voucher SMS comes from "gov.sg" and the link starts with `voucher.redeem.gov.sg`. A message from any other sender, or with a link that starts differently, is a reason not to click.
For other warning signs when you hire someone for a job at home, read the guide to home service scams.
NEXT STEP
See aircon companies in the directory with their published prices, the areas they say they cover and their sources.
Compare aircon companiesBefore you buy
- Check the ticks on NEA's Energy Label and buy only NEA-registered models. For split units, the label is on the outdoor unit and shows the outdoor unit's model number.
- Size the unit for the room. Ask the installer what cooling capacity suits the space.
- Treat installation and servicing as separate costs. See aircon installation cost and aircon servicing prices.
- Compare aircon companies before you book the installation.
Questions
Can I use the vouchers for a 4-tick aircon?
No. The programme's eligible products page says eligible air-conditioners must have 5 ticks, so a 4-tick model does not qualify, even at a participating retailer. Check the tick rating on the Energy Label before you choose, and confirm with the retailer that the exact model you want is eligible.
Can tenants claim the vouchers?
Tenants share one household's vouchers with the other families or tenants at their registered address. The programme's about page says they are collectively entitled to one household's vouchers for the address. The FAQ adds that a unit owner whose registered address is not at the unit cannot claim for that unit, so a landlord registered elsewhere cannot claim for a rented-out unit.
Can I use the vouchers for aircon installation or servicing?
The programme's terms do not list installation or servicing. The terms and conditions say the vouchers are valid only for eligible products at participating retailers. Plan for installation and servicing as separate costs when you budget for a new aircon.
Can I buy an eligible aircon online with the vouchers?
Only with a participating retailer that scans them on delivery. The programme's FAQ says the vouchers can only be scanned in person, not remotely, and that some participating retailers let you order online and scan the vouchers at the point of delivery. Ask the retailer before you order, and confirm the model has 5 ticks.
What if the aircon costs more than my vouchers?
You pay the balance. The programme's terms say that if the vouchers do not cover the full price, you pay the rest. It works one way only: no refund is given if the vouchers are worth more than the purchase, and they cannot be exchanged for cash.
Will the retailer take my old aircon away?
Yes, if that retailer delivers your new aircon and you ask. The programme's eligible products page says that under the Resource Sustainability Act, the retailer that delivers a regulated product such as an aircon must take away your old appliance of the same type for free on request. Mention it when you arrange delivery.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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