Moving Towards a less Gas-Reliant Future – Ministerial Response
Scroll down for the Minister’s response, or click here to discover more about how we’re working for Wendouree.
Original constituency question from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –
My constituency question is for the Minister for Energy and Resources about moving towards a less gas-reliant future. Would the minister please explain to me the benefits for households in my electorate of going all electric.
Rising gas prices are having a significant impact on household budgets as we experience another chilly Ballarat winter. Often temperatures do not make it into double digits, and we are heavily reliant on heaters to keep us warm. This comes at a significant cost for households across my community, especially for our most vulnerable residents.
With the rising cost of gas and uncertainty about supply into the future my office has received many inquiries about support for moving from gas heating, cooking and hot water to electric.
As a family we are making the transition to electric. We have installed solar panels, moved to electric split systems which replaced our gas central heating and even invested in an electric lawnmower. I welcome the announcement that all new homes and residential subdivisions requiring planning permits will be all electric.
Response from the Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister for Energy and Resources (25 September 2023) –
I thank the Member for Wendouree for her question relating to the benefits of going all electric, especially for those in Victoria’s west enduring yet another cold winter.
All-electric homes cost less to run, are more comfortable to live in and have none of the health risks associated with gas cooking and heating. Residents of a typical new, all-electric detached home (without solar) will spend around $2,600 a year on energy bills, compared with around $3,600 per year for a dual-fuel (electric and gas) home. That means going all-electric will save new home owners around $1,000 per year. Those savings can increase to more than $2,200 a year with solar installed. Converting an existing home with solar panels from gas to electricity can save around $1,250 a year on energy bills.
As a Government, we are committed to maintaining inclusion and accessibility for all Victorians throughout this transition. This is why the Government proudly supports homes and businesses to install efficient electric appliances through the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU). Some rebates to electrify your home include:
- About $420 to replace a gas hot water heater with a heat pump water heater.
- About $900 to replace a non-ducted gas heater with a non-ducted reverse cycle air conditioner
- About $3,600 to replace a ducted gas heater with a ducted reverse cycle air conditioner
The VEU program has also introduced home energy rating assessments which allows you to assess your home’s energy efficiency and get targeted recommendations for improving your home’s efficiency and comfort and to reduce energy bills and emissions.
Solar Victoria also offers incentives for eligible homes of:
- Hot Water – Up to $1,000
- Solar Panels – Rebates and loans up to $1,400 each
- Solar Battery – Interest free loans up to $8,800