Electrify your home
Are you thinking about getting your home off gas and going all-electric? For most Victorians, switching your home from a mix of gas and electric appliances to all-electric will reduce energy costs. It can also make your home net zero ready and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
When you are renovating or building a new home it's an ideal time to consider efficient electric appliances. Many renovations focus on living spaces – those areas that are most used and require the most energy for heating and cooling. They also often have older appliances, which are due for replacement.
In an existing home, when major gas appliances, such as gas heating or hot water systems, reach the end of their life, it’s a great time to upgrade them with a more efficient, electric option. It's best to plan your transition off gas over a few years, replacing one appliance at a time until you are ready to abolish your gas supply meter.
Common electrification questions
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Gas is a fossil fuel and will always have a large impact on greenhouse gas emissions, while electricity can be generated from renewable sources. Recently, gas prices have risen, and they are predicted to keep rising with further supply issues on the horizon.
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It is estimated that converting an existing home with solar panels from gas to electricity can save around $1,250 a year on energy bills. This is in addition to approximately $950 of savings per year from an existing 6.6kW solar system. Adding a medium-sized battery can also save a further $520 per year.
For more information on how much you can save by electrifying your home, the Victorian Government has produced factsheets for new and existing homes to switch to all-electric.
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The leading gas appliances in the home are for heating, hot water and cooking. Heating appliances consume the most energy and make sense to switch over first to a reverse cycle system that can be used for both heating and cooling your home.
Heat pump hot water systems have rapidly improved in efficiency and decreased in cost over the past few years making them a more efficient and more sustainable option to gas hot water systems.
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Victorians love gas for cooking, but induction cooktops are now more available and less expensive than they used to be. There are also health and indoor air quality concerns associated with gas heating and cooking which may be of concern.
Modern induction cooktops are nothing like the old electric hotplates you may be used to. They are fast, efficient and allow for precise cooking and temperature control. They have a flat surface which is easier to clean than gas stovetops.
Compared to traditional electric cooktops, induction is more efficient and faster to heat up while also being safer as they stay cool to the touch while cooking. You also get the health benefits of improved indoor air quality in your home.
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Once you’ve switched your final gas appliance with electric, then it’s time to remove the gas meter from your property. Typically, the gas line and meter need to be removed so you won’t keep paying a daily supply charge to your gas retailer. To do this you need to contact your retailer to arrange for your gas distribution network to abolish the connection.
How to switch to electric
Heating
In Victoria, heating accounts for the largest amount of energy used in the home. Upgrading to an electric reverse cycle split system is the most energy efficient, lowest cost heating option available that generates the lowest greenhouse emissions.
Many Victorian homes have both gas heating and reverse cycle air conditioning systems. Using the heating function on your air conditioner instead of your gas heater will save you money without the need to invest in new technology.
Water heating
Hot water accounts for around at least 15% of the average Victorian household’s energy costs. Replacing your existing gas hot water service with a heat-pump hot water unit is a great option for reducing your gas bills and saving on greenhouse gas emissions.
Cooking appliances
Gas cooktops can be replaced with modern induction cooktops – which are safer, faster and easier to clean.
Electric options for renters
Renters can still electrify their homes by working with the landlord to upgrade a gas heating system to a reverse cycle heating and cooling system, replacing your gas hot water system with a heat pump when it reaches its end of life and by using electric appliances for cooking.
More information
Further information can also be found by searching the Efficient Homes category on the Renew magazine website, and the Energy and Appliances section of the Sanctuary magazine website.
