Getting off the gas

18 Jul

Updated October 2023

Electrifying our future is the key to tackling the climate crisis. We can start now by electrifying our homes and cars, working towards a clean energy future for the next generation.

Let’s stop burning fossil fuels and get off the gas - switching to renewable energy in our homes also creates much healthier homes. Oh, and it saves money as well - Rewiring Australia estimates that electrifying a home and vehicle will save the average Australian household around $5,000 a year in the long run.

Talina Edwards and Breathe Architecture (as part of Architect’s Declare) have suggested some simple steps you can take today:

Call your electricity provider and switch to 100% renewable energy. Even better, switch your provider to the greenest one in your state - read Greenpeace’s Green Electricity Guide here. I switched recently when Powershop sold out to Shell, changing to Diamond Energy which is at the top of the list for Victoria.
Swap your gas cooktop for induction. Read this article for more info on making the switch.
Swap your gas gas oven for electric.
Swap your gas hot water for an efficient air-sourced heat-pump. Read this article on how to choose an efficient hot water system to meet your needs.
Swap your gas heating for an efficient heat-pump air-conditioning unit (and ensure your building envelope is well insulated and draft-sealed). Read here for a guide on electric heating systems.

Want to know more?

Join the My Efficient Electric Home (MEEH) facebook community. This group is a leading database of information about improving the comfort and energy performance of Australian homes.
Rewiring Australia has a great, easy to read, informative website.
Listen to the audiobook version of The Big Switch by Saul Griffith.
Listen to this podcast by Vox Conversations about how to decarbonize America and create 25 million jobs (also with Saul Griffith).
Read Beyond Zero Emission’s “Energy Efficient Buildings Plan”.
Buy Richard Keech & Beyond Zero Emission’s book “The Energy Freedom Home”.
Read Tim Forcey’s articles published on “The Fifith Estate” (there are lots, here’s one to start with).
Renew has a lot of research articles on gas - browse here. They also did a series on Getting off the Gas you can watch on YouTube.
Renew also have made a purpose built website called Getting Off Gas Toolkit - with a handy cheat sheet if you don’t want too much information overload.
Solar Victoria has a solar hub with lots of information about switching to electric.
The Metropolitan Community Power Hub can provide free and independent advice so you can choose appliances that best meet your needs.

Rebates

The upfront costs of switching appliances can be prohibitive for most households. But the good news is there are plenty of easy and low-cost options that can help anyone begin to reduce their consumption of fossil gas.

VICTORIA

In Victoria there are a range of rebates than can assists households with the cost of switching to efficient electric appliances.

There is an interest-free solar battery loan to help eligible Victorian households to reduce the upfront cost of installing a battery on their home. Learn more here.

You could also be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,000 to replace your old hot water heater with an approved electric or solar hot water system. Find out more here.

NSW

One third of NSW residents are currently receiving an energy rebate. If you’re one of them, you may be eligible to swap your rebate for a free solar system or energy efficient upgrades.

Are you eligible? With three offers available, find out which one is right for you here.