Victoria’s Story
Victoria has been working in the energy industry for over 10 years and develops energy solutions that help people transition to a renewable future. She and her husband own a Victorian house in East Hawthorn which is currently rented to neighbours while they live with their two children, aged five and eight, in a rented house in Canterbury.
Why are you interested in electrification?
“Often people feel climate change is too overwhelming and there's nothing they can do. I think electrification is a very practical way you can take personal actions to improve your life and the environment.”
The journey so far
Victoria says they bought their brick Victorian house in East Hawthorn a couple of years ago and plan to “make it our dream home.” The house came with original features, a 1990s renovation that was not very energy efficient and lots of draughts.
When they started renovating, the costs “went through the roof,” so they decided to rent it out while they rented a house in Canterbury to be walking distance to their children’s school.
Even though they had to scale back their renovation plans, Victoria says they could “see the value of electrifying.” To make the East Hawthorn house more comfortable for their tenants, and with an eye to the future, they replaced the standalone gas oven and stovetop with an induction cooktop, replaced their gas central heating with an electric ducted system and upgraded the hot water to an efficient electric heat pump.
While these upgrades were straightforward, Victoria says “the heating and cooling was difficult because we really wanted it under the house rather than in the roof because the existing ducts were coming from the ground up. We specifically chose the installer because they were able to do that design.”
My husband and I researched the options ourselves. I knew the Victorian Government had upgrade schemes. I wasn't eligible for any of the rebates, but I wanted to find credible installers. I went onto their website and looked for approved providers in Boroondara. I called a few of them to come out and provide quotes.”
They also double glazed the front windows and installed thick curtains in the back living area to reduce the draughts.
Electrification wish list
“We really wanted to get solar because then the tenants would be electrified and decarbonized. They work hand in hand - that's when you get the real savings and benefits because you're not using grid energy.”
When finances allow, the family would like to make the back living area bigger, rebuild the garage, put solar panels on the garage roof, and install an EV charger.
Reflections on renting
Victoria says their rental house in Canterbury is “a comfortable home” that was renovated well some years ago. It has gas heating, cooking and hot water and some split system heating and cooling units.
“We have spoken to our landlord and asked what their appetite would be to change some of the appliances. But we want to know if they are going to extend our lease before we consider doing it. That's what's been stopping us because our lease is coming up for renewal next year.”
In the meantime, the family purchased a portable induction stovetop to use instead of the gas stove and uses the split systems when they can instead of the gas central heating.
Victoria feels there are lots of opportunities for landlords and tenants to work together on electrifying rentals. She has signed up to a pilot project with Better Homes and Carbon to trial and document electrification and energy efficiency improvements in rental properties in Boroondara.
What would you say to landlords in Boroondara?
“Electrification is future proofing your home because you know change is coming and the demand will be there for fully electrified, energy efficient homes.”
As a landlord, energy efficiency helps to improve the capital value of your home. It’s worthwhile making those changes for the comfort of the tenant, but also because there’s the financial benefit for your own investment property.”
What would you say to tenants in Boroondara?
“Don’t be afraid to speak to your landlord about changes you want to make. They might be open to those changes, and you might be able to negotiate how and when they happen. You might be surprised by what they come back with.”