About 240 businesses have joined the program's Newcastle Small Business Initiative, giving businesses an energy audit and the know-how to undertake energy-efficient upgrades.

So far 14 businesses have completed an upgrade, another 36 are in the process, and with Earth Hour this weekend acting as a reminder to reduce energy use, more businesses are encouraged to get involved.

Gloria Jeans at The Junction is among businesses reaping the rewards after completing an upgrade.

Its annual electricity bill, which surpassed $8000, has been cut by $1600.

The coffee shop's upgrade involved the installation of four-watt energy-saving down lights instead of 61-watt halogen lights.

Visionary Health Compounding Chemist in Hamilton upgraded more than 60 fluorescent lights and replaced an old air-conditioner with a six-star reverse cycle unit to slash $850 from yearly energy bills.

The Newcastle Small Business Initiative's water-efficiency module will be introduced this week during workshops and the waste module will be delivered at the end of next month.