Start your electrification journey
Make an impact
When considering which appliances to prioritise, the most impactful actions you can take to save money and reduce emissions are:
Heating and cooling: This is the biggest consumer of energy for households. Switching to a reverse cycle air conditioning system (RCAC) improves air quality at home and uses one-third to one-quarter of the energy of gas systems.
Hot water: Electric hot water heat pumps use only 25 – 33% of the energy of gas or electric alternatives.
Induction cooktops: improve indoor air quality and offer a more efficient, faster, cleaner cooking option.
Rooftop solar: Typical homes in Victoria can save up to $1,073/year by generating their own clean energy.
Get your home ready
If you plan for electrification, it will make your transition easier when it’s time to replace old appliances. Here are some steps you can take while waiting until you are ready to upgrade existing electric appliances or replace gas appliances with efficient electric appliances:
Install power where your heat pump hot water system will go.
Upgrade your fuse box. Electrification involves using more power and circuits, so talk to your electrician about whether you need to upgrade your fuse box and power supply.
Install a 32A dedicated power circuit in your garage/carport if you want an electric vehicle.
When buying new cookware, make sure it is induction cooktop friendly.
For more information, visit our detailed guide and read our FAQs about the difference between single phase and 3 phase power and whether you might need to upgrade your switchboard.
Develop an electrification plan
Step 1: List your appliances by age, from oldest to youngest (using receipts or the appliance nameplate), so you know which ones must be replaced first. Appliances over ten years old will be significantly less efficient than good current models.
Step 2: Choose your future electric vehicle and appliances.
Step 3: Create a priority list for replacing your appliances and purchasing an EV or ebike.
To do this, consider how much you want to spend on upgrading appliances now versus replacing them when needed and how much you will need to set aside to purchase efficient electric appliances when the time comes.
Use the Climate Council's Bill Savings Simulator to understand how much you can save by switching to efficient electric appliances and removing your annual gas supply charge.
What else can I do?
Join the My efficient electric home Facebook (MEEH) group to learn about electrifying your home.
Use the Victorian Government’s Victorian Energy Compare site to ensure you are on the best energy plan.
Start using your reverse cycle air conditioner (RCAC) as a heater during winter, not just for cooling in summer. It’s now much cheaper to run than a gas heater.
Change your behaviour. Turn appliances off when you aren’t there, wear appropriate clothes, close curtains and blinds to keep warmth in during winter and heat out during summer, and use washing machines, dryers and dishwashers on off-peak tariffs when possible.
Reduce heating and cooling bills and make your home more comfortable by draft-proofing and ensuring adequate insulation in the ceiling and walls.
Get an energy efficiency scorecard completed to understand your home’s energy efficiency and receive tailored advice on improving your home’s energy use and comfort.