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Are your electricity bills eating away at your monthly budget?
As of 15th April, Singaporean households can now tap into S$400 climate vouchers. This is part of a government-backed initiative to support sustainable living by making energy-efficient appliances more accessible. This initiative goes beyond cost savings, with sustainable living accessible to everyone, regardless of their income level.
Breaking Down Singapore's Climate Voucher Program
The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment launched this program specifically targeting lower-income households, who often face the steepest hurdles when trying to upgrade to energy-efficient options.
As announced in Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s Budget 2025 speech, the Climate Voucher programme has been expanded. HDB households will receive an additional S$100 in Climate Vouchers on top of the S$300 worth from last year’s Climate Friendly Households Programme. For the first time, Singaporean families living in private properties will also receive S$400 in Climate Vouchers.
Valid till 31st December 2027, these vouchers can be used to purchase:
- Refrigerators with three-tick energy efficiency ratings and above
- Air-conditioners with five-tick ratings
- Other energy-and water-efficient appliances
Who Qualifies for Climate Vouchers?
Be Singapore citizens or permanent residents
Have a combined monthly household income of S$2,500 or less, or a per capita income of S$750 or less
Live in an HDB flat (priority given to 1-3 room flats)
Source: CNA
The Hidden Cost of Efficient Technology
Here’s an uncomfortable truth: the people who would benefit most from energy-efficient appliances are often the ones least able to afford the upfront costs. A top-rated refrigerator might save S$150 yearly on electricity, but requires S$800-1,200 upfront—a significant barrier for many families.
This “efficiency gap” isn’t just a financial issue, it’s a sustainability challenge that affects everyone. When lower-income households can’t access efficient technology, overall energy consumption and carbon emissions remain unnecessarily high.
Beyond Vouchers: A New Approach to Tech Access
While government vouchers provide immediate relief, they’re only one piece of the solution. What if there was a way to access energy-efficient technology without the burden of large upfront costs or the environmental impact of constant replacements?
That’s where subscription models like Cinch come in. Similar to how the government is making efficient appliances more accessible through vouchers, Cinch is revolutionising how Singaporeans access technology:
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No upfront payments required for premium devices
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Affordable monthly subscriptions that fit within tight budgets
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Flexible terms allowing upgrades or returns as needed
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Insurance covering up to 90% of damage costs
Powering A Circular Lifestyle
The climate vouchers represent an important step toward democratising access to efficient appliances. But true sustainability requires ongoing solutions.
The most sustainable device is the one that never becomes waste. When you subscribe rather than purchase outright, returned devices don’t end up in landfills—they’re professionally refurbished and given a new life with another user.
Whether you qualify for climate vouchers or not, rethinking how we access and upgrade technology is crucial for both financial wellness and environmental sustainability.
Ready to Access Tech That’s Better for the Planet?
Browse Cinch’s latest subscription plans and find a device that fits your lifestyle and your values. Visit www.cinch.sg
Note: Applications for climate vouchers open 15th April 2025. Visit the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment website for complete program details and eligibility requirements. Read the full CNA article here.
