Households all over Australia are benefiting from going all-electric. Many households are already only using electricity to meet all of their home’s energy needs.
While many people are already on the journey of electrification, switching your home over is not always simple, so you might need some support to make the switch. In this article, we’ve got some handy tips to help you along the way.
Why should I go all-electric?
There are many benefits from going all-electric including:
It can save you money
Our Stepping Up report found that by 2030, the average all-electric household (including an EV) will save more than $2000 a year on their energy bill compared to a typical fossil-fuelled home. That’s without solar and a battery (these savings can vary depending on the size of your home, how much energy you use and where you are in Australia). If you have solar, the savings from going all-electric will likely be greater, possibly significantly so.
Swapping from gas to electric appliances will save you $290 per year. This will increase to $660 by 2040.
It’s better for the environment
Going all-electric is better for the planet than using fossil fuels – particularly, as the energy transition continues and more of our electricity comes from renewable energy.
It can modernise your home
By choosing the latest technology, you’ll be building an efficient home that suits your household’s needs now and into the future. As new technology becomes available, you’ll be better positioned to integrate it into your home because you’ve gone all-electric.
Do I need to do this straight away?
No, you don't have to act right now (see below about making a plan). But our research shows that the sooner you can make the switch, the sooner you can realise those cost savings. So, if you’re already thinking about replacing old gas appliances or doing renos, now is the time to make the switch!
Yes! I want to go all-electric. What can I do?
1. Understand what parts of your home can benefit from going all-electric
Heating, hot water and cooking are the three main areas where you can electrify. Identify what gas appliances you have in your home and what electric alternatives you can upgrade to.
There are lots of resources available to help you but here are some of our favourites:
- Rewiring Australia has lots of resources to help you understand where to start at home and what you can do.
- Renew’s Getting Off Gas Toolkit provides clear and practical advice.
- For ACT residents, the ACT Government has partnered with CHOICE to help you make your home energy transition plan.
- Merri-bek Council’s Go All Electric Plan. Many other local councils also have tools to help you out.
- The My Efficient Electric Homes Facebook group is a great community resource if you’ve got specific questions about your situation.
2. Make a plan
Changing the ways our homes use energy doesn’t need to happen overnight – but it’s time to think about when a suitable opportunity might be.
If you start to do your research now, you won’t be caught off guard when something stops working.
Maybe your oven breaks down, you’re doing some renos, or you need to buy a new heater. These are all good times to think about making some changes and going electric.
You could also see how old your gas appliances are and make a rough estimate of when you might need to replace them. For example, gas water heaters are one of the most likely items to stop working in your home. The average life expectancy for a gas system is 8 to 12 years. If you find out how old your gas hot water system is, you can start to make a rough plan and put some money aside for when it might break.
3. See if you’re eligible for any concessions or rebates.
While you’ll save money in the long run by going all-electric, there will be some upfront costs when buying new electric appliances. And if you’re living in an older home, you may also need additional rewiring.
The good news is that most states and territories have programs to help you switch away from gas.
Electrification Case Study
Watch Lajiraj discuss his electrification journey.
What can I do if I can’t easily make any of these changes?
For some people, it will be harder to carry out these changes. You might live in an apartment, be a renter, or have a tight budget.
Here at Energy Consumers Australia, we’re advocating on your behalf to the Australian government for a national plan to help make the transition as smooth as possible. That plan should contain financial support for people who face additional barriers to going all-electric.
Start your journey today with one small action
You don’t need to make all the changes to your home right now, but it’s important to start making a plan to move away from gas so you’re ready when the time is right. Join the millions of Australians who are already benefiting from going all-electric and begin by trying the steps in this article.
