As an Australian homeowner, you understand the shift from gas to grid. And the benefits of electrifying your home. If every Australian household using gas switched to all-electric today, the combined impact would be huge.
We could reduce over 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in the next ten years. This would be a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future, which we can achieve.
More than 5 million households use gas, and depending on their location, the emissions saved per home could be between 5 and 25 tonnes over ten years.
One of the most immediate benefits of electrification is the potential for significant savings on energy costs.
Electric appliances are more energy-efficient than gas ones, which means they use less energy to perform the same tasks. It leads to lower energy bills for homeowners.
What does going Electric Mean? Understanding an Electrified Household
Switching to an all-electric home, or home electrification, means gradually replacing appliances that use fossil fuels with newer, energy-efficient ones that run on electricity. It includes heat pumps, ovens, stoves, and even cars.
Electric appliances, especially solar energy, can significantly reduce energy costs and help the environment.
Gas used to be a cheaper option, but with rising gas prices, using clean electricity from solar panels for heat pumps, cooking, and heating and cooling your home is now more affordable.
Choosing electric appliances powered by solar energy is a smart way to move away from fuel sources that produce carbon emissions.
Energy Assets for Home Electrification, Australia/ Energy Efficiency in Home Electrification
Solar Panels and Home Batteries
Solar panels and home batteries are vital tools in producing and storing clean energy, which helps lower energy costs and reduces emissions. Australia has one of the highest rates of rooftop solar installation in the world.
About 30% of detached homes in the National Electricity Market (NEM) already have solar systems. As solar system costs decrease and electricity rates increase, the average size of residential solar systems has grown. By 2035, up to 150,000 new solar systems will be installed yearly.
Battery adoption in Australia is still in the early stages but is growing, with a 55% increase in installations in 2024 compared to 2023.
With battery prices dropping, energy prices becoming more unpredictable, and lower feed-in tariffs, about 2.2 million households could start using batteries by 2035.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Chargers
Households can now electrify their transport with electric vehicles, providing more emissions benefits as the grid becomes greener. EV adoption is growing fast, with 87,000 electric vehicles sold in 2023.
However, the market is still small, with less than 2% of homes having an EV in 2023. Adoption is expected to continue rising due to the decreasing cost difference between traditional petrol cars and EVs and supportive policies.
EVs will increase household electricity demand and drive the most significant rise in home electricity consumption.
Home Appliances (Space Heating, Water Heating, Cooking)
Switching from gas to more efficient electric appliances for space heating, water heating, and cooking can help reduce household bills. Australian homes use about 170 petajoules of gas each year, mainly for space and water heating.
Hot water heat pumps are three to five times more energy-efficient than gas appliances, offering a significant savings opportunity. While electric appliances are more efficient, their upfront costs are usually higher than gas.
By 2035, the NEM will have 2.8 million hot water, 2.8 million space heating, and 3.1 million cooking appliance installations.
Benefits of Electrifying Your Home
Electrifying your home means using electricity instead of gas for heating/cooling, cooking, and driving.
In January this year, Victoria announced that new homes will not have gas connections. As energy prices are rising rapidly, it is best to electrify all homes and businesses in Australia.
But before you electrify your home, let’s find out the benefits of electrification in Australia. Let’s simplify your transition to electrification and bring you closer to net-zero emissions.
Here are some easy-to-understand benefits of making your home all-electric:
Cost Savings
Switching to electric appliances, primarily when powered by solar panels, can save you money on energy bills. Electric appliances like heat pumps and induction cooktops are more efficient and use less energy than their gas counterparts, meaning you pay less over time.
Cleaner and Greener
Electric appliances help reduce your home’s carbon footprint, mainly if you use renewable energy like solar power. Fewer greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, which is better for the environment and helps fight climate change.
Health and Safety
Electric appliances, such as induction stoves, don’t produce harmful indoor pollutants like gas stoves do. This leads to better air quality inside your home, healthier for you and your family.
Future-Proof Your Home
As Australia moves towards renewable energy, fully electric homes will be more in line with future energy policies. If you decide to sell, this could increase your home’s value and make it more attractive.
More Control Over Energy Use
With electric appliances, especially when paired with solar panels and batteries, you can generate your power and store it for later use. This reduces your dependence on the grid, giving you more control over energy use and costs.
Easier to Maintain
Electric appliances generally have fewer moving parts and are easier to maintain than gas appliances, saving you time and money on repairs. This convenience allows you to focus on other aspects of your life without the worry of frequent maintenance.
Supports Local Energy Production
Using solar panels means generating electricity locally, reducing the demand for imported energy and supporting Australia’s shift towards renewable energy.
By electrifying your home, you’re making it more efficient, saving money, and contributing to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.
What about the Environmental Benefits?
Switching your home to electric has significant environmental benefits, mainly if you use renewable energy like solar power. By reducing your carbon footprint and using a clean energy source, you are actively contributing to a healthier planet and fighting climate change.
Using solar panels for electricity means using a clean energy source that doesn’t cause pollution, making your home even more eco-friendly.
Electric appliances, such as heat pumps and induction cooktops, are also more efficient than gas appliances, meaning they use less energy to do the same tasks.
This saves energy and eases the load on the power grid, especially during busy times. As more people switch to electric options, the need for fossil fuels decreases, supporting the shift to cleaner, sustainable energy and a healthier planet.
Going electric reduces carbon emissions and helps create a cleaner and greener future for everyone.
Electrify Your Home/ Make an All-Electric Switch
Switching your home to all-electric can cut costs, boost efficiency, and lower carbon emissions.
Here’s a brief guide to help you make the transition:
Assess Your Current Energy Use
Review which appliances use gas, such as water heaters, stoves, and heating systems, and look for electric alternatives. Check your energy bills to see where switching to electric can save you the most.
Start with Solar Panels and Battery Storage
Install solar panels to generate clean energy and reduce grid reliance. A battery system allows you to store excess energy for later use, lowering costs and increasing energy independence.
Upgrade to Electric Appliances
Replace gas heaters with heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling. Swap gas water heaters for electric ones, and choose electric or induction cooktops over gas stoves for safer, more efficient cooking.
Electrify Your Transportation
Consider buying an electric vehicle (EV) to reduce transportation emissions. Install a home EV charger to conveniently power your car, especially with solar energy, lowering fuel costs.
Improve Insulation and Efficiency
Enhance insulation in your home to reduce heating and cooling needs. Energy-efficient windows and doors maintain indoor temperature, reducing energy use.
Utilise Government Rebates
Look for government or utility rebates and incentives to help offset the costs of solar panels, batteries, and electric appliances, making the transition more affordable.
Plan and Budget for Upgrades
Set a budget and prioritise upgrades that will offer the most savings, such as solar panels or electric heating. Gradually replace appliances as they wear out with electric alternatives.
Work with Professionals
Hire licensed installers like Cyanergy to install solar panels, batteries, and electric appliances safely and efficiently. Consider consulting an energy advisor to plan your electrification journey.
Monitor Your Energy Use
Use smart meters to track energy consumption and adjust your habits to maximise savings, like using appliances during off-peak hours or when solar is available. Stay updated on new electric technologies for future upgrades.
This approach will help you transition smoothly to an all-electric home, saving money and reducing environmental impact.
Cyanergy has all the electric products under one roof, so your shift to a modern electric household is just one click away!
Contact Cyanergy and talk to an expert.