Popular Webinars on How to switch to electric heating
Electrify Boroondara recently wrapped up two highly successful webinars with hundreds of people joining to hear about one of the most important steps Boroondara homeowners can take — switching from gas to electric heating. One session provided an overview and details on split system air conditioning for heating (aka Reverse Cycle Aircon) and electrifying ducted heating while the second focussed on electrifying slab and radiator based hydronic heating.
The sessions drew over 200 participants, reflecting the enormous community interest in practical guidance on making the switch. Attendees heard from a strong panel of experts from local Melbourne businesses: Tim from Powrhouse, Drew from Protemp Air Solutions, and Steve from Peninsula Hydronic Heating, covering the full range of electric heating options — split systems, ducted reverse cycle, and heat pump hydronic.
Key points we heard from the experts:
If you already have split-system air conditioners, don’t forget that they are efficient heaters too! Just remember to clean the filters at least twice a year, more often if possible, it’s a DIY task.
Don’t heat the whole house if you don’t need to. Close off unused areas and zone your heating system. And don’t forget personal heating - foot warmers and infra-red heaters are great for keeping you warm if you are sitting in one spot for extended periods.
Because most ducted and hydronic solutions need case by case design with installers, the webinars provided a range of tips for residents to discuss with installers to make sure designs meet their household needs. These are not small investments so care needs to be taken to ensure you are happy with your installer, their design and the products they propose.
Heat pump hydronic systems really need a buffer storage tank to run efficiently - be wary if your installer suggests otherwise.
Three local residents shared their own lived experience, bringing the human side to what can otherwise feel like a daunting decision. Their stories — of lower bills, restored comfort, and no regrets — were among the most appreciated moments of the evenings.
Q&A was very active with many questions (60+) answered online in the Q&A chat throughout the event, but many then discussed with expert panelists at the end of the session to ensure clarity. Questions from attendees focused on feasibility, economics and some quite technical details on implementation. We are hoping to translate these questions into an FAQ on our heating webpage in the near future. In the meantime, why not ask Electric Saul, a great initiative from our friends at Rewiring Australia. This on-line tool provides an interactive electrification journey planner that helps guide you along the way including drafting detailed emails for you to send to installers for quotes for your heating conversions.
The response has been overwhelming, with many participants already taking their next steps.
Full recordings of both webinars are available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYfxDCOy9eo, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhRZkzMbkJk .
Whether you missed the sessions or want to revisit a particular topic, everything is there.