How to go electric and get off gas
According to Rewiring Australia, around 70% of Australia’s domestic emissions come from the decisions we make at the local level.
This includes how we travel around, how we cook and how we heat our water and our home.
By making some simple changes in our homes and businesses we can help to reduce carbon emissions and save ourselves thousands of dollars.
Here are our key actions to take if you want to get off gas and fossil fuels:
Switch to renewable energy, or buy clean energy
Replace gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives
Improve energy efficiency by draft proofing and insulating
Choose active, public or electric transport.
An electrified house. Source: Rewiring Australia
Switch to renewable energy
Go solar.
The average solar system will pay itself back in 3-5 years, making it a great investment for many people.
Industry standard is that solar panels last for about 25-30 years.
Check out the Tassie Government’s Energy Saver Loan Scheme. They provide interest free loans to homes and businesses for energy efficient products.
If solar panels aren’t suitable, the next best option is to buy green power from an energy retailer.
Installing a battery as well as solar panels means you can store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it in the evenings. This can increase energy independence, reduce reliance on the grid, and maximize the benefits of solar power.
Batteries are still pretty expensive though. We can’t wait until we are able to use our electric vehicles as household batteries!
Switch gas appliances to efficient electric alternatives
Replacing our gas appliances with energy efficient, electric alternatives will help to ensure our homes are healthy and clean.
It will ease cost of living pressures.
It will also help us to reduce our carbon emissions.
Here are the key things to consider to get off gas:
Replacing gas hot water systems with efficient electric heat pumps can reduce energy usage by two-thirds.
Electric reverse cycle air conditioners are the most efficient space heating option, and
Replacing gas cooktops with electric or induction is key to making sure our homes are safe, healthy and affordable to run. Cooking with gas is expensive and estimated to cause up to 12% of the childhood asthma burden in Australia (Asthma Australia).
The upfront cost of energy efficient electric appliances is often a bit more than gas, but they are cheaper and more sustainable to run in the long term.
We love helping our customers to replace gas appliances - check out our services or get in touch.
Improve energy efficiency through draft sealing and insulating
By blocking draughts you will prevent heat loss in winter and warm air flowing inside in summer.
Your home will be more comfortable and you'll save on electricity.
Here are key draft culprits:
Windows and skylights: check frames and seals and fill gaps with tape, caulking gun, clear contact
Floorboards: look for gaps and fill the cracks
Doors: add rubber door seals and door snakes
Ventilation holes: cover them up! Open a window instead.
Appliances that connect to walls: check seals around air conditioning units and pipes
Fireplaces: block unused chimneys with an old pillow or balloon.
When choosing insulation, the most important factor is the R-value, which measures a material’s capacity to resist heat flow.
The greater the value, the better the insulation and the lower your power bill.
Choose active, public or electric transport
The transport sector accounts for around 20% of Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Active and public transport is the quickest way to reduce our emissions. In Tasmania, these types of transport are not always accessible to everyone.
A key part of phasing out fossil fuels is our transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs).
The single biggest source of emissions and energy costs for households is our petrol or diesel cars.
An average Australian household spends over $3000 every year on fuel costs. The average car emits around 4 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
EVs have much lower lifecycle emissions than petrol or diesel cars. And the smaller the EV and battery, the less impact it has.
While EVs still cost more than petrol or diesel cars to buy, prices are on their way down and running costs can be significantly cheaper, especially charging an EV from solar power.
Our guide to buying an EV is here if you’re in the market.