Why we’re turning off the gas (and you can too)
More and more Melbourne homes are becoming all-electric. As part of our latest project, Casa Connection, we’re also turning off the gas and creating an all-electric, more sustainable home.
But hang on a second, weren’t we all being told to convert to gas just a few years ago?
Yes, you’re right. For many years the rhetoric has been, switch to gas, it’s more efficient and lower in carbon emissions.
And, at the time that was true.
With the majority of Victoria’s electricity supplied by burning brown coal and a lot of aging and inefficient appliances like resistance electric hot water and cooktops, it made sense to switch to more efficient and lower carbon gas options.
But, thanks to improvements in electric appliances like heat pumps and induction cooktops, and more and more renewable energy flowing into the grid thanks to the explosion in rooftop solar and industrial wind farms, we’re now in a position where all-electric is best and the easiest way to utilise renewable resources in the home.
But it’s not just about being lean and green. An all-electric home running off the power you produce on your own rooftop can save real dollars. Saul Griffith, author of Electrify calculates the average Australian household can save $3450 per year and reduce their carbon emissions by 9550 kg CO2e per year by switching to all-electric.
So, what does it take to become all-electric?
Rooftop Solar
Rooftop solar is like having your own personal renewable power plant. If you’re able to switch the majority of your energy usage to the daytime while the sun’s shining, you’ll be able to save big time on your electricity bill by using the free energy you’re creating instead of drawing on the grid’s supply. This is easily achieved with most appliances by setting a delayed start or using a timer switch.
Tip: If you don’t have the ability to install rooftop solar because your roof doesn’t get enough sun, isn’t large enough or you don’t have a roof at all because you live in an apartment or unit, you can instead purchase 100% Green Power to ensure your energy use is provided by an accredited renewable source.
Battery Backup
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to use all of your electricity when the sun’s shining. And with feed-in tariffs now virtually non-existent, it’s not that appealing to feed energy back to the grid. So, to make the most of your rooftop solar, you may decide to add a battery to your all-electric setup. A battery means you can store your excess energy when the sun’s beating down and draw on that supply at night or when it’s cloudy out. It also means you can draw on your own personal supply if the power ever goes out in your neighbourhood. With a right-sized solar array and battery backup, there’s every chance you can be net self-sufficient for electricity; and that’s pretty cool!
Reverse cycle air conditioning
Reverse cycle air conditioning, also known as heat pump air conditioning, is a very efficient way to heat and cool your home. This type of system is particularly efficient in heating mode (handy during Melbourne’s miserable winters). You probably know of reverse cycle air conditioning as the typical split system with a wall unit and external compressor, but this technology can be more stylish and integrated into your home using a VRV system, where you can enjoy individually controllable spaces, with all of the ‘equipment’ concealed behind a neat grille. Similarly, you can now use heat pump technology to power hydronic systems so your underfloor heating or radiators can be all-electric too.
Induction cooking
What if you could have the speed and responsiveness of a gas stove, but a streamlined, easy-to-clean surface like a ceramic cooktop? Well, now you can, with induction. Induction works by creating an electromagnetic field, causing your cookware to heat up instead of the surface itself. This means it’s very efficient and safer because the surface of the stove doesn’t get or stay hot. One thing to consider is that induction will only work with magnetic cookware. So, while your stainless-steel pots and pans will work fine, your expensive copper sautee pan may not. That said, more and more options are appearing on the market that combine the superior heat distribution qualities of copper, with a stainless steel core so they’re compatible with induction. It’s also shown that gas cooktops cause internal air quality issues, so it’s wise to switch to induction.
Hot water
The next major item to tackle is hot water. Many of us have gas hot water systems, either storage or instantaneous. The better solution for an all-electric home is a heat pump hot water system. These can either be split systems, where there’s a storage tank with what looks like an air conditioner compressor sitting close by (that’s because they work in the exact same way), or a hybrid system, which works the same way, but the compressor is integrated into the top of the unit so the two components form one seamless package. As mentioned, using a heat pump to heat is very efficient, so this form of hot water heater is a great alternative to other hot water heaters.
Another alternative is solar hot water, which has a collector panel on the roof where it can catch the sun, and a storage tank either integrated or separate on the ground. Either way, these systems need a booster for when the water isn’t getting hot enough (like on a cold, overcast Melbourne day). Gas was a common way to boost solar hot water in the past, but heat pumps are becoming more common and available.
While solar systems are still popular, they can be a bit risky: a hail storm or fallen branch can break the collector panel and leave you with a cold shower. They’re quickly being superseded by standalone heat pump hot water. And, when you’ve got rooftop solar anyway, it can be an effective way of utilising your surplus energy during the day and storing it for use later; like a battery made of water!
Electric Vehicle
The final and most substantial contribution you can make to your all-electric home is an electric vehicle. Over a 10-year period, charging your electric vehicle from your rooftop solar rather than filling up with petrol at the bowser could save you close to $15,000! EVs are also becoming more common and more affordable, so next time you’re upgrading your car, go all-electric. There are even new models of EVs coming to market which can double as a plug-in battery so you can power your house from your car!
When to make the switch…
Now, we’re not saying you should rush out and replace all your appliances immediately, but, if you’re renovating or as your existing appliances approach the end of their life, it makes sense to upgrade to an electric alternative. There are even incentives to help you make the switch like Victorian Government rebates on solar systems, heat pump hot water, and battery storage.
Start planning your sustainable, all-electric house
If you’re planning to build or renovate, it makes sense to plan for a sustainable, all-electric house from the very beginning. We can help you determine the best way to make your new home as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for you without sacrificing the planet.