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.

  1. Install power where your heat pump hot water system will go. Most heat pumps need a dedicated 20A (20 amp) circuit, although some can plug into an existing power point. If you don’t have a nearby power point, get your electrician to install a new 20A circuit. This way, when your gas system fails, a shiny new heat pump electric system can be installed faster, and you won’t have a few days of cold showers waiting for an electrical upgrade.

  2. 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. This would be the ideal time to discuss whether you need to upgrade your grid connection, as some existing connections might be insufficient for fully electric homes. Also, check if your fuse box has enough room for extra circuitry for solar and batteries.

  3. Install a 32A dedicated power circuit in your garage/carport if you plan to buy an electric vehicle (EV). This will enable you to charge your EV much faster (i.e. around six to eight hours instead of 26 to 28 hours) and more efficiently than through a regular, standard power point. If you intend to install rooftop solar, some EV chargers use extra wires to communicate with sensors in your fuse box to understand if your solar is generating and exporting. Ask your electrician about simultaneously installing data wiring from your garage to the fuse box.

  4. Ensure any new cookware you buy is induction friendly for upgrading your stove to an induction cooktop.