EARTH, We have a gas problem!
Why should we get off gas?
So called ‘natural gas’ is a fossil fuel called methane, which is causing global warming and significant health impacts. There has been a paradigm shift occurring ~ low emissions renewable electricity trumps high emissions gas! Renewables are now 30% more cost effective than gas and are reshaping the economics of energy delivery in Australia.
The key technology in the transition to all-electric homes is the heat pump. Heat pumps can be so efficient because they draw free, renewable ambient heat energy out of the outside air. Heat energy drawn, literally, from thin air, is an enormous and little-appreciated renewable energy resource. Heat pumps are suitable for hot water and reverse cycle airconditioning ie. space heating. You can now also buy heat pump tumble dryers and refrigerators.
Our three homeowners will share their electrification journey away from dirty gas.
Our plumbing and electrical experts will guide you through the process.
We will let you know what government rebates are on offer to incentivise the switch. You will see it’s all a lot easier and more straightforward than you might think.
So future-proof your home, save money on energy bills and join the rapid shift to zero emissions that we urgently need.
About the panellists
Felicity Crombach,
Newcomb
Felicity has been progressively retrofitting her 1969 brick veneer (BV) over many years to make it more energy efficient and low emissions. She’s switched her space heating, cooking and HWS to all-electric appliances.
Andrew Barrett,
East Geelong
Andrew and his wife Sarah are retrofitting and renovating their 1927 Californian bungalow weatherboard (WB) home. They’ve changed their hot water system to a Sanden heat pump unit, replaced their old stove with an induction freestanding cooker and now have a Daikin ducted reverse cycle air conditioning system.
Colin Mockett,
Herne Hill
Colin and his wife Shirley have been retrofitting their 1950s weatherboard home as part of their commitment to carbon neutrality, which began 21 years ago. The upgrade of their solar capacity has enabled them to switch from gas to all-electric for cooking, HWS and space heating.
Matthew Best
Matthew Best Plumbing & AC
Matthew Morabito
Ikon Electrical Services
Matt will guide you through electrical requirements for induction appliances, suitable range hood options, cooking on induction cooktops vs gas cooktops. Importantly he will touch base on the safety factors also. Ikon Electrical covers all aspects of Electrical and Renewable energy work.
Homeowner stories
Felicity Crombach, Newcomb
Before
Electric oven
Gas cooktop
After
Everdure electric cooktop $295
Same rangehood & oven
Before
Instant gas water heater
After
Sanden heat pump HWS,
$4090
Before
Gas heater + reverse cycle air conditioner
After
Mitsubishi split system 5kW,
$1800
Before
None
After
24 solar panels + 2 batteries
Andrew Barrett, East Geelong
Before
La Germania gas oven/cooker
After
Smeg 110cm induction freestanding cooker with Qasair Rangehood - Australian made. Cost of appliance & install $2949+$900 for ducting.
Before
Aqua Max 170 L gas
After
Sanden Eco Heat pump HWS 250 litre $3750 appliance & installation
Before
Rinnai RHFE-559FT gas heater
After
Daikin 8.5kWh ducted RCAC. Cost of appliance and install $6575
Before
None
After
Solar: 10kw solar system - 25 x 400 Sunpower modules 25 x Enphase IQ7X microinverters
Battery: Tesla Powerwall 2
Colin Mockett, Herne Hill
Before
Gas Stove
After
Westinghouse electric stove $1148 + installation $400
Before
Beasley rooftop solar water heater + instant gas water heater
After
Serviced the Beasley $400 + electric immersion heater fitted $1033
Before
Gas space heater + RCAC
After
Kept the RCAC + False fire heater $150 second hand
Before
1999/2000 First Solar installation
After
Now replaced with larger solar + battery. Old panels recycled.
Image gallery
Zoom Event
Homeowners:
Andrew Barrett
Felicity Crombach
Colin Mockett
Facilitator:
Noreen Nicholson
Experts:
Matthew Best
Matthew Morabito
Further resources
My Efficient Electric Home - an amazing Facebook forum with 35,000 followers where you can search for technical information and advice and ask for help on specific issues
Tim Forcey explanatory videos with Renew on heat pumps: Part 1 and Part 2
GS recent seminar on How to Reduce Your Energy Bills & Get Off Gas - Clever Living Seminar 22/9, Tim Forcey, My Efficient Electric Home
Renew Economy explainer: The cheapest Way to heat your house, by Tim Forcey and Renew
DIY draught sealing etc with Ecomaster - A DIY video Library
FREE PowerPal home energy monitor - This nifty little device attaches to your smart meter and gives you real-time energy consumption data via a phone app. It’s a energy waste detective enabling you to quickly identify any power guzzling appliances. The device and its installation are free in Victoria through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. Register for one today!
Victorian Energy Upgrades
Solar Victoria programs
- Solar panels (PV)
- Solar hot water
- Solar battery
- Solar panels for rentals
- Heating and cooling
- Zero emissions vehicles
Finance for clean energy projects
- NILS - No Interest Loan Scheme through Vinnies Geelong - Interest free loans for families on low incomes
- Bank Australia Clean Energy Home Loan for property upgrades and new homes
- CommBank Green Loan for clean energy products
Choice - useful independent reviews of domestic appliances and household products - available through local libraries
Renew
- Renew’s magazine - Renew and Sanctuary
- Renew information about getting off gas