Hunter Joint Organisation with support from local councils have partnered with ZapCat, a certified social enterprise, to help the communities of Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter electrify their homes. Through this free program, residents can access expert, independent advice on switching to clean electric appliances — such as solar panels, batteries, hot water heat pumps, EV chargers, induction cooktops, and more. You can also get practical tips on reducing energy bills through insulation, draught proofing, and other energy efficiency upgrades.
ZapCat provides instant online estimates for costs, savings, and available rebates. Their expert advisors offer free virtual consultations to answer your questions, review quotes, and help you make confident, informed choices. They can also connect you with vetted local installers. Learn More
To get started online:
Prefer to speak over the phone?
Call ZapCat on (02) 6145 0446
This program is managed by the Hunter Joint Organisation. Residents in the following councils can access this service:
Get an instant cost, savings and rebates estimate for your individual unit. It only takes 2 minutes:
Improve comfort with insulation, draught proofing and double glazing.
Simple tips that everyone can use to reduce their energy bill.
Suitable for renters
Our experts can provide a cost, savings and rebates estimate for a whole apartment block, for the following items. Any apartment owner can request an estimate, you do not need to be a member of the strata committee.
Some estimates can be done instantly online, others require a virtual consultation.
Efficient electric hot water heaters for your block.
Book a free virtual consultation with one of our independent energy experts. We can give advice on:
Have you received quotes from installers? Are they difficult to understand? Are you unsure what the differences between them are, or which ones are good value for money?
Send us your quotes and one of our independent experts will review them and provide feedback.
Our simple guides to home energy upgrades explain the essential information you need to know.
The average Australian household can save almost $4.5k per year in running costs by implementing clean energy solutions (Source: Rewiring Australia).
The cost of energy is rising every year, so these savings will increase over time.
Our instant savings estimate will show you the amount you could save with different clean energy solutions.
Source: Rewiring Australia
We are a certified social enterprise.
Australia needs to rapidly accelerate its transition to clean energy if we are to curb the worst effects of climate change. Our mission is to make it as simple as possible for ordinary Australians to transition their homes to clean energy.
This is a free program supported by Cessnock City Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Maitland City Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council, Singleton Council and Upper Hunter Shire Council (the “Councils”) to provide independant advice to their respective communities. Any purchase made through this program will be with the chosen installer and you will be required to enter into a contract between yourself and the installer. While the Councils have subscribed to our advisory service, they do not directly vet or endorse installers and have no involvement or liabilities arising from any purchase, installation and maintenance of the solar packages by you.
