From this month more than a million Flemish households are entitled a price reduction voucher worth 250 euro if they buy an energy efficient washing machine, tumble drier, fridge of deep freeze. The Flemish Energy Minister Melissa Depraetere (socialist) says that "We are going to ensure that the voucher is given to the right people”.
1 in 3 Flemish households are entitled to 250-euro price reduction voucher if they buy a energy efficient appliances
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The price reduction voucher for the purchase or rental of energy efficient appliances was already available to those that are entitled to the social tariff for their energy. However, since January 1 the conditions under which households are entitled to a voucher have been changed. The changes were announced by the former Flemish energy minister Zuhal Demir (nationalist) in May 2024.
From now on entitlement to the voucher will depend on a household’s income. Ms Depraetere’s office says that this means that 1 in 3 Flemish households are now entitled to the 250-euro price rebate. This amounts to over a million Flemish households. This is considerably more than the 20,312 discount vouchers that were handed out last year.
“We have noticed that working people on low wages have a lot of trouble finding the cash to invest in energy efficient appliances, Ms Depraetere told VRT News. “These are appliances that people really do need to help them reduce their energy bills. The voucher allows them to buy a better and more energy-efficient appliance. This is good for their wall and also good for the climate”.
The following appliances are covered by the voucher scheme
Washing machines from energy label C
Tumble driers from energy label A++
Deep freezers and fridges from energy lable D
The conditions for receiving the voucher are linked to income, not assets. “We are going to make sure that this voucher reaches the right people”, Ms Depraetere said.
“If someone that has a high income but pays themselves a low wage, it is not the intention that they will receive a rebate. This would mean that the funds were not reaching the right people. This is something we are going to monitor closely.”
You can request the voucher through this link (site in Dutch) www.vlaanderen.be/mijnkortingsbon .
Once the application has been approved the energy grid management company Fluvius will send the applicant the voucher by mail or post. You are entitled to a maximum of 1 voucher every 2 years per appliance type.
The voucher can only be used in participating stores.