The most effective way to reduce gas use in households is through ‘electrification’ – which involves the replacement of gas appliances with electric appliances. Electric appliances use less energy than gas appliances, making them cheaper to run. Electrification remains the only technically and commercially viable solution for fossil free buildings powered by renewables.
While both electricity and gas tariffs are going up, Renew analysis finds that all-electric homes face smaller overall bill increases; all-electric homes with solar were found to have the lowest bills of all. Households using gas for heating, cooking and hot water could face bill increases of up to $1900 over the next two years. Efficient all-electric homes with solar face more limited increases of $550 to $741. All-electric homes with solar can already cut about 75% off energy bills, but rising tariffs mean the gap between all-electric and gas is going to grow even more.
Designed by Troppo Architects in Witchcliffe Ecovilliage, WA, The Cubby House is a great example of a smart all-electric home that is comfortable and efficient to run. View more details about the home at the Sustainable House Day website.
The best way to run your home – for your wallet and for the climate – is to have all electric appliances and cars powered by clean electricity with rooftop solar. It’s about half the running costs of a fossil fuel home and it will make a big impact on reducing our carbon emissions into the future. As the costs of electricity and gas utilities continues to rise, the savings will be greater for all-electric homes with solar than those relying on gas, in some cases as little as a quarter of the cost.
Even if you can’t fully get off gas or install solar, improving energy efficiency with insulation, draught sealing, and efficient appliances such as heat pumps can significantly reduce the impact of rising energy costs.
