How to go electric

A guide for switching to electric

Step 1: Be clear about your objectives

Whether it’s bill savings, comfort, health benefits or environmental concerns, understanding your main objectives will help your installer make the best recommendations to meet your needs.

Write down all the appliances in your home that use gas – like gas ducted heating, gas cooktop and/or a gas hot water system. You can also rank them in order of which ones (if any) are coming to the end of life and need replacing, or which ones you’d like to switch over first. This will give you a good starting point to do further research.

Step 2: Explore what to switch

Heating and cooling

Replace your gas heater with a reverse-cycle air conditioner and use it for heating and cooling. Check if you are eligible to apply for a discount on a heating and cooling system. Reverse-cycle air conditioners are the most energy-efficient heaters and coolers. Find out more in the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Buyers Guide. Divide your home into zones so you only heat and cool the rooms you are using.

Hot water

Replace your hot water system with solar hot water or heat pump hot water. Solar hot water is the most energy efficient, but Victorians may require an electric booster to ensure they have reliable hot water all year around. Heat pump hot water systems use 60-75% less electricity than a conventional electric hot water system. Check if you’re eligible for a rebate of up to $1,000 to install an energy efficient heat pump system. You can also receive a discount on your hot water system via the VEU program.

Visit our hot water heat pump page to learn about how they work, compare products and indicative prices.

Cooking

Replace your gas cooktop with an induction cooktop. As well as being far more energy-efficient, induction cooktops are faster and safer to use, and heat and cool very quickly. They are easier to clean and more precise, so you have greater control over your cooking. The VEU program offers a discount of around $140 to install an induction cooktop.

Solar

Install a home solar system. You can find out how much you will save on your energy bills using the Solar Savings Calculator. To learn more about installing a solar system, read the Solar Panel Buyers Guide. Eligible households can also receive a $1,400 rebate to lower the upfront costs of installation and the option of a $1,400 interest-free loan. When you install a solar system, you can choose to connect to the grid, which means energy you don’t use is sent to the grid for use by other Victorians.

Solar battery

You can also install a solar battery, so you can use more of the energy you generate. Find out more in the Solar Battery Buyers Guide. Eligible households, businesses and community organisations can now get a discount of around 30% on the upfront cost of installing a battery.

Other energy efficient modifications

Ensure your home is well-insulated. Proper insulation helps maintain a comfortable temperature, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling. Install energy-efficient windows with double or triple-pane glass and low-emissivity coatings.

Step 3: Do your research

Search available rebates and assistance from the Victorian and federal governments. Contact your local council about any incentives in your area.

Explore finance options for switching to electric. Start with our guide to the types of loans and providers available.

Step 4: Call us and connect with an installer

Our dedicated Customer Advisory Team is on hand to speak about your individual circumstances and where possible, can connect you to an SEC-endorsed installer. If you’re ready to take the next step, you can request a call back by filling in this form:

Request callback

Alternatively, you can call us on 1300 305 700, 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday.

Watch our Power up information sessions