Frequently Asked Questions
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Electrifying your home enables you to save money, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and help create a safe climate future for current and future generations.
Did you know Australian households spend an average of $7,000/year on energy and fuel and that small businesses and households make up 70% of Australia’s domestic emissions?
By switching from gas to efficient electric appliances, installing a rooftop solar system and a battery, and improving your energy performance, households and businesses can reduce energy costs and emissions.
A fully electrified home can save households up to $5,000/year on energy and fuel and also reduce the health risks associated with gas cooking, heating and vehicles.
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Use the Climate Council’s Bill Savings Simulator to work out how much money you can save by switching from gas to efficient electric appliances and improving your home’s energy efficiency. It offers practical advice and details how much you will save from each action.
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Understanding your current energy use will help you identify the biggest potential savings and which appliances to prioritise as you change to efficient, electric appliances.
Two options for understanding your energy use are:
• Borrow a home energy meter from the City of Boroondara library system to find out how much energy each of your appliances are using.
• Apply for a PowerPal smart energy monitor to be installed. The monitor, which is free under the Victorian Government’s energy upgrades scheme, takes half an hour to be installed. It will help you save money by showing via an app on your phone how your home uses energy and providing instantaneous information to optimise your home’s energy use.
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Victorian Energy Upgrades program This state government energy efficiency program offers households and businesses rebates or discounts on energy saving products. Edibility requirements and preferred supplier arrangements apply. Rebates are applicable to a wide variety of products and vary from $210 for pool pumps to $1,540 for an electric boosted solar hot water heater.
Solar panel rebates for households are available up to $1,400 plus the option of an interest free loan.
Solar panel rebates for rental providers include up to $1,400 for solar panels and the option of a $1,400 interest free loan.
Solar panel rebates for community housing. Not-for-profit community housing providers can apply for solar panel rebates on behalf of their renters up to $1,400 per tenancy.
Solar battery loans Eligible Victorian households can apply for an interest-free loan to reduce the upfront costs of installing a solar battery.
Hot water systems rebate Victorian households can apply for a rebate up to the value of $1,000 for eligible solar hot water and heat pump hot water systems.
Green loans. Many banks and financial institutions are offering discounted fees and low interest loans for sustainable activities such as installing solar panels or purchasing an EV.
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Boroondara Council has a climate action plan, free advice about installing solar and offers sustainability workshops and opportunities to get involved in local community groups.
Boroondara Council information:
· Community action, sustainably and recycling
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Send us a message on our Contact form, and we will try to help.
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Visit our EV page which includes FAQs on range, home charging and how much you can save with an EV.
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Single phase power has two live wires - an active and a neutral, while 3 phase power has three active wires and one neutral which increases the amount of power that can be delivered to a home.
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Most Australian homes and apartments have a single-phase electrical connection from the street and can continue to use this as they transition to an all-electric home. If you install a large solar system or need to charge multiple electric vehicles simultaneously, you may need to upgrade to three phase power.
Three phase power is used for homes with higher than average electricity demands, larger homes or commercial and industrial settings that have high electricity demands and more powerful appliances.
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If you are building, renovating, or upgrading your appliances, you may require new circuit breakers and wires for new appliances on your switchboard. Whether you need to upgrade your switchboard will depend on how old it is and how many circuits it already has.
If you need to upgrade your switchboard, a new switchboard with extra capacity will make it easier to add new circuits as your electrical needs change.
We recommend you talk with a qualified electrician about whether your switchboard is adequate for your electrification plans.
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As you transition to an all-electric home your future energy supply will need to accommodate electric heating and cooling, hot water, cooking and perhaps solar, electric vehicles and ebikes as well. Your switchboard and wiring may need some work to enable this transition so think about your long term plans when speaking with an electrician.
We recommend you get several quotes and ask the following questions when selecting a qualified electrician to assist you in transitioning to an all-electric home:
What experience have you had with all-electric home upgrades and switchboard installations?
How do you assess our specific electrical needs and advise on whether we need to transition to three-phase power or upgrade the switchboard?
Are there any potential future expenses or issues we should be aware of?
Are you a member of Master Electricians Australia and do you offer their warranty?
Can you provide local references where you have done comparable work?
Are you happy to be contacted for post-installation support or questions?
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Visit our Hot water page with FAQs to learn about heat pump hot water systems and what you need to consider before you buy one.
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View the FAQs on our Batteries page to learn how much you can save and what you need to consider when buying a battery.