The $125 million investment by Australian Government-owned Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will support CommBank’s Green Home Offer to help cut emissions and improve energy efficiency in new and renovated homes.

CommBank’s Green Home Offer initially launched in May 2022 to provide customers access to a low standard variable home loan rate if the home meets eligible sustainability and energy efficiency requirements. 

Since its introduction, a number of banks and non-bank lenders have followed suit, with the likes of NAB offering home loan discounts up to 1.00% p.a. on home loans, loans.com.au offering discounts on solar home loans and Suncorp Bank providing variable rate discounts on eco-friendly home improvements.

CommBank Executive General Manager Home Buying Michael Baumann said the bank was committed to rewarding new and existing customers who are taking actionable steps to reduce their environmental footprint.

“We know homes that are well built and are energy efficient are good for the environment, whilst also significantly reducing living costs and improving the wellbeing of homeowners,” Dr Baumann said.

“This sort of upfront investment is proving compelling in particular with the current increase of energy costs, which impacts the cost of living.”

In the past week, electricity provider Energy Australia increased energy costs by up to 14.1% or an average of $301 per year for residential households and 12.5% or an average of $641 for small-to-medium businesses. 

CEFC Head of Debt Markets Richard Lovell noted the further development of the green home loan market in Australia demonstrates growing consumer demand for energy efficient homes. 

“Expanding the green home loan program in Australia’s banking sector while continuing to strengthen sustainability requirements gives customers an accessible solution to reduce their carbon footprint,” Mr Lovell said. 

CommBank’s Green Home Offer is available to customers who build or renovate to meet the ‘Green Star’ Home Standard requirements established by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

In addition, customers with eligible homes that meet criteria developed by CommBank with the GBCA and CEFC, but are not certified under ‘Green Star’ standards, are also eligible.

CommBank Green Home Offer eligibility

Customers may be eligible for the Green Home Offer if their home meets one of the following two options:

Option 1: 

MeetsGreen Building Council of Australia (GBCA) Green Star Home standard.

Option 2: 

Meets all the following criteria. 

Criteria
  • Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) = 7 stars or greater. 
  • Heat pump hot water system.
  • Home electrified, no gas.
  • Solar PV equivalent to the below:
    • Up to 150 sqm: 5.5 kWe
    • 150-250 sqm: 7.5k We
    • 250-350 sqm: 10 kWe

Documents to provide before formal approval
  • GBCA ‘By Design’ certificate (Available through a GCBA-certified volume home builder)
  • Statutory declaration.
  • Accredited NatHERS Design Rating Certificate (if available).
  • Statutory declaration.

Documents to provide before funding approval
  • GBCA ‘As Built’ certificate.
  • Accredited NatHERS 7 Star Certificate.
  • Solar PV invoice installed by CEC accredited installer.
  • Heat pump hot water invoice per approved product list attached. 

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Building or buying an energy-efficient home? This table shows some of the lowest interest rates in the market for 'green' home loans.

Update resultsUpdate
Filters
LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees Max LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkComparePromoted ProductDisclosure
5.99% p.a.
6.44% p.a.
$2,995
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Available for refinance or purchases. Quick and easy online application process.
  • Dedicated loan specialist throughout the loan application.
  • Discounted interest rate for 5 years for homes with an eligible solar system
 Disclosure
5.84% p.a.
5.89% p.a.
$2,947
Principal & Interest
Variable
$null
$null
60%
5.82% p.a.
5.82% p.a.
$2,940
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
5.84% p.a.
5.89% p.a.
$2,947
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$500
60%
5.68% p.a.
6.26% p.a.
$2,896
Principal & Interest
Variable
$350
$0
90%
5.85% p.a.
6.14% p.a.
$2,950
Principal & Interest
Variable
$299
$0
80%
5.44% p.a.
6.26% p.a.
$2,820
Principal & Interest
Fixed
$350
$0
90%
6.14% p.a.
6.85% p.a.
$3,043
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$720
90%
7.64% p.a.
–
$3,544
Principal & Interest
Variable
$25
$0
70%
6.19% p.a.
6.53% p.a.
$3,059
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
90% LVR
  • Discounted interest rate for 5 years for homes with an eligible solar system
  • Available for refinance or purchase
  • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees
 Disclosure
  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Quick and easy online application process.

More details
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Image by Alexander Abero via Unsplash



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