Geelong Sustainability’s journey to the Electric Homes Program

Enhancing your home’s comfort while reducing energy costs is easier than you might think. Three cost-effective strategies—getting a home energy audit, draught proofing and installing insulation—can make a significant difference.

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1. Home Energy Audit: Start with a Professional Assessment

A home energy audit is a smart first step toward improving your home’s efficiency. Conducted by a professional, this audit provides a detailed analysis of your home’s energy use and identifies areas where you can save.

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• Targeted improvements: The audit highlights where energy is being wasted, helping you prioritise upgrades.
• Cost savings: By focusing on areas with the most potential for improvement, you can reduce energy bills and enhance comfort.
• Informed decisions: With a clear understanding of your home’s energy performance, you can make upgrades that offer the best return on investment.

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2. Draught Proofing: Seal in the Warmth

Draught proofing stops warm air from escaping your home in winter and hot air from entering in summer, saving you money and making your home more comfortable.. Draughts can exist in any entry points in your home such as gaps around doors and windows, exhaust fans, wall vents and chimneys.

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• Lower energy bills: Sealing draughts reduces the workload on your heating and cooling systems.
• Increased comfort: Eliminating cold spots creates a more stable and pleasant indoor environment.
• Easy fixes: Many draught proofing solutions, like weatherstripping and door seals, are affordable and simple to install. If you’re not up for DIY then let our experts do it for you through the Electric Homes Program. 

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3. Insulation: Keep Temperatures Stable

Proper insulation is crucial for maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your home. It minimises heat transfer, keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Additional insulation can be added to the ceiling, underfloor and even blown into your walls. 

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• Energy efficiency: Insulation reduces the need for heating and cooling, leading to long-term energy savings.
• Enhanced comfort: A well-insulated home maintains a consistent temperature, avoiding uncomfortable hot or cold spots.
• Sustainable living: Using less energy for climate control lowers your carbon footprint.

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By getting a home energy audit, sealing draughts and upgrading insulation, you can create a more comfortable living space while saving money on energy bills. These cost-effective improvements are available through the Electric Homes Program. They not only enhance your daily life but also contribute to a more sustainable future. Contact one of our trusted experts today and express your interest.

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If you’re still cooking with gas, it might be time to consider an upgrade to an induction cooktop. Induction cooking offers a range of benefits that make it a smart, efficient and healthier choice for your kitchen. Here’s why switching from gas to induction is a decision worth making.

1. Energy Efficiency

Induction cooktops are incredibly efficient, with around 85 percent of the energy used directly heating your cookware. In contrast, gas cooktops operate at about 32 percent efficiency, with much of the energy lost to the surrounding air. This efficiency not only speeds up your cooking but also reduces your energy bills and carbon footprint.

2. Healthier Cooking

Gas cooktops release harmful contaminants like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, which can affect indoor air quality. Induction cooktops, however, don’t produce these emissions, creating a safer and healthier environment in your kitchen.

3. Speed and Precision

Induction cooktops heat up quickly, allowing you to cook faster and with greater precision. Whether you’re boiling water or simmering a sauce, induction offers consistent and reliable results, making cooking more enjoyable and efficient.

4. Easy Cleaning

The smooth, flat surface of an induction cooktop is easy to clean. Since the cooktop itself stays cool, spills won’t bake on, and a simple wipe is all you need to keep it spotless.

5. Cookware Compatibility

Induction cooktops require magnetic cookware, such as cast iron or magnetic stainless steel. If a magnet sticks to the bottom of your pots and pans, they’re compatible. If not, you may need to invest in new cookware.

6. Installation Considerations

Switching to induction requires a dedicated power supply, typically a 32A circuit. Depending on your home’s electrical system, additional costs to installation may apply, especially if upgrades to your switchboard or mains are needed.

Conclusion: A Worthwhile Investment

Switching from gas to induction is an investment in a more efficient, healthier and sustainable cooking future. While there’s an initial cost, the long-term benefits—such as lower energy bills, easier maintenance and improved air quality—make it a smart choice for any modern kitchen. 

Removing your gas cooktop is often the last appliance to be upgraded before reaching all-electric. This means you can disconnect your gas connection and say goodbye to your gas bill all together!

The Electric Homes Program includes installation of your new cooktop only (and not the actual cooktop). Express your interest and an induction cooktop installer from Too Hot to Handle will be intouch. 

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Tiffany and Scott, have spent 12 years building their unique industrial-style home, reflecting their personal touch and DIY spirit. Initially, they installed a gas hot water service, the only gas appliance in their home, which Tiffany later regretted. Motivated by environmental concerns and the desire to get off gas and eliminate gas bills, they decided to switch to a more sustainable solution.

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Initially planning to switch to a solar hot water system, they eventually considered a heat pump as technology improved. Tiffany's confidence grew after seeing Geelong Sustainability endorse heat pumps through the Electric Homes Program. “Knowing that Geelong Sustainability was endorsing heat pumps gave me the confidence to get onboard with the program”, says Tiffany. The process was straightforward: after filling out a form and taking photos, Tiffany received quotes and had the heat pump installed in a single day by professional tradespeople who explained what they were doing, the technology and how it worked, and cleaned up afterward.

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The result was a fully electric home, free from gas. Tiffany loves the new heat pump, which operates quietly and efficiently, and the app that allows her to monitor and control it including setting it to take advantage of the midday sun from our solar panels. She wishes they had made the switch sooner and highly recommends the Electric Homes Program to help with the process.

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"I’m so pleased we replaced our old gas hot water with a heat pump. It is whisper quiet, and I love knowing that we are not using gas anymore - great for the environment and no more smell of gas, so I feel safer too. The app is easy to use. I can program when I want the heat pump to come on, so I can make the most of the power generated by our solar panels. Wish I had done it sooner. Thanks Geelong Sustainability - a great initiative to help homeowners switch to electricity with confidence."

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With their home designed to maximise energy efficiency, including north-facing living areas, a broad patio roof, double glazing and insulated panels, Tiffany and Scott are content with their fully electric and sustainable lifestyle. 

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Their story highlights the importance of programs like the Electric Homes Program in empowering homeowners to make environmentally friendly choices with confidence.

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To find out how you can move away from gas, attend an information session or webinar.

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Geelong Sustainability is proud to announce Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative as their community donation partner for the Electric Homes Program. This partnership further emphasises Geelong Sustainability’s commitment to climate action as well as our journey towards reconciliation.

The Electric Homes Program is an initiative by Geelong Sustainability, designed to support households around the Barwon region to transition off gas towards an all-electric renewable-powered future.

An important feature of the Electric Homes Program is the community donations. Every system installed contributes to the program partners donating solar panel systems and hot water heat pumps to families through Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative. RACV Solar will contribute the fully installed solar panel systems, while Reclaim Energy and Jeztek Plumbing will contribute the hot water heat pumps.

"The Electric Homes Program is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives that make a positive impact on both the environment and people's lives. We are thrilled to join hands with Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative to extend the benefits of this program," said Dan Cowdell, CEO of Geelong Sustainability. "Our partnership with Wathaurong is a significant step towards fostering a more sustainable and inclusive future for our community."

The partnership with Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative adds an important dimension to the program's goals. Every system installed through the Electric Homes Program now contributes to providing vital support to the housing needs of the Wathaurong community. This ensures that the community's participation in the program extends beyond personal and environmental benefits, reinforcing the program's commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others.

"We are excited to be part of this program that embodies our shared values of sustainability, caring for Country, Community, and supporting our mob," said Simon Flagg, CEO of Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative. "The Electric Homes Program not only benefits the environment but also contributes to supporting our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families through donations of sustainable power systems. We look forward to the positive change we can create together."

The program, run by Geelong Sustainability, includes carefully selected suppliers to assist homeowners in making the transition to an all-electric, energy-efficient future. It brings together information, products, and experienced suppliers, making it easy for households to install solar panels, home battery storage, hot water heat pumps, efficient heating and cooling systems, and electric vehicle chargers where required.

The Electric Homes Program, which was launched in July of this year, has garnered an incredible response over the past few months. With over 700 expressions of interest and more than 1,400registrations for information events; the program has been instrumental in helping families embrace sustainable, all-electric solutions.

This donation would not be possible without the generosity of our Key Delivery Partners, RACV Solar, Jeztek Plumbing and Reclaim Energy, who are donating the systems and installs of the solar and heat pump hot water systems. Geelong Sustainability and its partners welcome the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative to this program, fostering a collaborative effort toward a more sustainable and inclusive future. The program's success is not only measured in the number of installations but in the positive impact it has on families, the environment, and the broader community.

Having rebuilt their Torquay beach house in 2011, at a time when gas was very cheap, J’s house was powered largely by brand new, gas appliances. 

So, when they retired in 2017 and moved in permanently, J was faced with a decision. In the years since building the house, J had become more and more conscious of their impact on the environment. They now wanted to start the transition to all-electric, but was it worth replacing fully functioning, 6-year old appliances? 

J decided to start with solar. They’d installed 4 kW of solar panels on the garage during the build back in 2011, and now added another 6 kW to the roof of the main house along with a 17 kWh battery. 

A few years later, they decided to take the plunge and replace their gas hot water system with a 315 litre heat pump. Installed by RACV Solar, they also put in another 4 kW of north-facing solar panels. 

Fast-forward to today, and J is planning their next steps - replacing the gas oven with an induction cooktop and, in 12 months or so, getting an electric vehicle. 

While they’ve made strides toward electrification, J still faces one hurdle - their heating. With a large living space, the electric air conditioner they installed a few years ago hasn’t been able to do the job in winter, so they’re still using their hydronic system and a gas fire to keep the room warm during the colder months.

This is something they hope to overcome in the near future, so connecting with a trusted, expert supplier is a key priority.

The Electric Homes Program is designed to make it easy for households in the Barwon South West to go all-electric - whether you’re at the start of your electrification journey or, like J, want to discuss your specific needs with one of our expert delivery partners.

Through the program, you can get solar panels, batteries, heat pump hot water systems, split system heating & cooling and electric vehicle chargers. All installed by trusted, local suppliers.

To find out more about these products and speak to our expert delivery partners about your needs, register your interest today.

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With the climate crisis front of mind, Belmont local Aiden is currently in the process of transitioning his home from gas to all-electric.

Aiden and his family bought their 1930s Californian Bungalow at the end of 2022. The weatherboard building had very little insulation and several air leaks, leaving them with an obvious starting point on their journey to electrification.

Aiden’s journey so far

• The first job was putting in insulation, predominantly in the ceiling and underfloor.
• Next was the heater, replacing the whole-of-house gas ducted heating with two reverse cycle split systems in the living areas.
• The cooktop was next, replacing the gas stove with an induction cooktop.
• Then they installed solar panels ‒ a 7 kW north- and east-facing solar system. 
• Now, Aiden is in the process of replacing the instant gas hot water system with a 315 litre Reclaim heat pump hot water system. 

What’s still to come?

• Aiden plans to get a solar battery so he and his family can use their solar power round-the-clock. While their grid electricity consumption is minimal thanks to their solar panels, they still use some electricity in the mornings and evenings. 
• The final piece of the puzzle will be disconnecting their home from the gas supply and removing the meter. 

The results  

Already, Aiden is seeing the benefits from the changes he’s made - to his bill, his family’s health and to the comfort of their home.

• Comfort - The insulation and draft sealing, combined with the split system heating and cooling, has significantly improved the warmth and comfort of their home.
• Energy bill savings - With their solar panels generating electricity during the day, Aiden runs appliances like the heating/cooling, dishwasher and washing machine using “free” solar power.
• Health - With a CO2 air quality monitor installed in the kitchen, the air quality used to regularly exceed 1500-2000 ppm when using a gas cooktop (not desirable for your health). Since installing the induction cooktop, the air quality has significantly improved, with the monitor only occasionally recording CO2 concentrations of 1000 ppm or more.

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Ready to go all-electric?

Whether you’re just getting started or, like Aiden, are well on your way to electrification, the Electric Homes Program was created to make it easy for households in the Barwon South West to go all-electric.

We offer solar panels, batteries, heat pump hot water systems, split system heating & cooling and electric vehicle chargers. All installed by trusted, local suppliers.

To find out more about these products and speak to our expert delivery partners about your needs, register your interest today. 

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Geelong Sustainability is a not-for-profit community association and registered charity. Our vision is for people and our planet to thrive within sustainable limits. Our mission is to empower people to regenerate and protect the planet. To achieve this, we deliver projects that are focused on four strategic priorities - Climate Change, Renewable Energy, the Circular Economy and Sustainable Cities.

Since our establishment in 2007, Geelong Sustainability has become the region’s leading sustainability group with extensive networks in community, government and business throughout Geelong and the Barwon South West region. We are recognised for our evidence-based innovative projects, which educate and support our community’s transition to a net zero, circular economy.

We work closely with the community to build their capacity to address climate change and empower people to make the tangible changes we need to see in this climate emergency.

A few years ago we began exploring the best way to work with the community to access further solar and increase the local uptake in renewable energy.  We identified that there are a number of challenges facing people when it comes to getting solar. Trust is a huge issue and generally residents don’t know who to trust or how to find a reputable solar installer.  Confusion over technology, what brands  and system sizes to choose is all too often overwhelming and leads to many residents not proceeding.  Finally, the upfront cost of investing in solar has been a huge barrier for some households and can lead to many residents being left behind during this clean energy revolution.

Our aim was to develop a program to counter each of these challenges; we wanted to make the process of getting solar easy for residents. This is where the Geelong Community Solar Program was launched in 2021.

The program became the region’s largest ever solar bulk-buy, closed on 31 December 2021 with 281 locals residents and businesses installing solar and batteries. Around 2.5 MW of renewable energy was added to the local electricity grid, exceeding the original goal set out by Geelong Sustainability.

RACV Solar, one of the delivery partners, donated a solar panel for every system installed. Thanks to the community uptake we were able to donate a considerable amount of solar to the community. These panels were donated to and installed on not-for-profit community organisations, including Point Lonsdale Lawn Bowls Club, Apollo Bay Mechanics Hall, FeedMe Geelong, Anglesea Arthouse, Gellibrand Community House, Norlane Community Centre, Torquay Tigers Football Netball Club and Birregurra Lawn Bowls.

After the success of this program we wanted to expand on our previous experience and offer a more holistic program to our community that includes more elements residents require to transition to an all electric home. This is where the Electric Homes Program was developed, offering residents the opportunity to install solar, battery, EV chargers, hot water systems and split system heating and cooling to ‘electrify’ their homes. We plan for this community-led program to be bigger and better than our previous program and play a pivotal role in transitioning the region off gas, saving on emissions and building a renewable powered future together.

Thank you to those who have chosen to participate in this program that makes a difference to the community.

Making the switch from gas to electric is a powerful way to reduce your carbon footprint, improve your health and save money. The Electric Homes Program supports households in the Barwon region through this transition, whether you choose to do it all at once or gradually.

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Key Steps to Going All-Electric

1. Use Renewable Energy: Install solar panels and consider battery storage to power your home with clean energy.
2. Upgrade Appliances: Replace gas-powered systems like hot water, heating/cooling, and cooking with efficient electric alternatives.
3. Electrify Your Transport: Switch to an electric vehicle (EV) and install a home charger to reduce emissions and running costs.
4. Prepare Your Home: Upgrade your switchboard and consider other energy efficiency measures to future-proof your home.
5. Disconnect from Gas: Once fully electric, disconnect from the gas network to avoid ongoing connection fees.

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Solar and Battery Storage

Switching from gas to electric starts with renewable energy. Gas is a major contributor to climate change, while electricity can be sourced from renewables. Solar panels, and potentially battery storage, are key to powering your home sustainably. The Electric Homes Program, in partnership with Winki Energy offers high-quality solar and battery solutions.

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Replace Gas Appliances

Before disconnecting from gas, replace gas appliances with electric options. Hot water heat pumps, split system heating/cooling and induction cooktops are efficient and cost-effective alternatives. The Electric Homes Program provides support for upgrading these systems thanks to Too Hot to Handle which includes installing Reclaim Energy Hot Water Heat Pumps.

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Improve Home Efficiency

Stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer by upgrading the ceiling and underfloor insulation and sealing up areas of air leakage. It’s remarkable how much more comfortable these changes can make your home. The Electric Homes Program provides insulation and draught proofing upgrades installed by Enviroflex.

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Electric Vehicles and Home Charging

Switching to an Electric Vehicle (EV) significantly reduces emissions. Installing a home charger allows for faster, solar-powered charging. The Electric Homes Program offers home charger installations through Winki Energy.

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Get an Energy Audit to Plan Ahead

If transitioning over time, plan upgrades like solar panels or hot water systems with future needs in mind. If you don’t know where to start then get a Home Energy Audit by a qualified assessor to help prioritise a step by step plan. An upgraded switchboard might be necessary for increased electrical load, and additional steps like draught-proofing can improve your home’s efficiency. The Electric Homes Program provides Home Energy Audits in partnership with Ephe.

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Disconnecting from Gas

Once your home is fully electric, disconnect from the gas network to eliminate connection fees. Permanent gas disconnection costs are capped at $220, with possible additional fees. Contact your utility provider for details.

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Start Your Transition

Ready to go all-electric? Contact the Electric Homes Program’s trusted partners to begin your journey toward a cleaner, more sustainable home.

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An electric home is a house that is powered using electricity, rather than fossil fuels like gas and petrol.

An all-electric home will have solar panels and battery storage, electric appliances (such as hot water systems, heating and cooling, and cooktops) and even an electric vehicle.

Electric homes are now the gold standard for houses in Australia because they’re cheaper to run, better for the environment and better for your health. According to Rewiring Australia, you could save up to $3,450 a year on running costs and drastically reduce your carbon footprint. Not to mention the broader benefits for the community as we work to transition away from fossil fuels. 

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How do you electrify your home?

Electrification can be done all at once, often when building or renovating your home, or over time. 

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Solar panels and batteries 

Installing solar panels and battery storage can be done at any time, and the sooner you do it the sooner you’ll start saving on your energy bills. 

If you have a significant renovation or new build planned, this can be a good time to go solar as you can optimise your setup and minimise installation costs.

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Electric appliances

Many people take a longer term approach to replacing their appliances (such as hot water systems, heating and cooling systems, and cooktops), replacing old ones as they reach their end of life. That said, if your gas appliances are quite old, it might pay to replace them now as they probably cost a lot to run.

Either way, make sure you’ve done your research well in advance so, by the time you’re ready to replace your gas appliances, you know which products are the best fit for you. 

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Electric vehicles

Like petrol vehicles, you can purchase electric vehicles (EVs) new or used. While some EV models are among the highest selling cars in Australia, there are significantly fewer EVs available in the used car market compared to petrol vehicles. This is because EVs are still relatively new, so we should start seeing more enter the used car market in the coming years. 

Wait times vary for new electric vehicles but, like some petrol vehicles, can be lengthy. In the meantime, look at having a home charger installed. Home chargers will charge your car up to 3x faster than a standard power outlet and can allow you to “fill up for free” using your solar power. 

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We’re making electrification easy

We know one of the biggest barriers for households that want to go electric is the time and headspace needed to do the research. So we designed the Electric Homes program to help homeowners in the Barwon South West electrify their homes with ease. 

A community program led by not-for-profit Geelong Sustainability, the Electric Homes program brings together the best products and suppliers offering solar panels, battery systems, hot water heat pumps, efficient heating and cooling systems and electric vehicle chargers. 

We’ve done the homework for you, hand-picking our delivery partners based on their outstanding expertise, customer service, use of quality technology with leading warranties, and focus on supporting local jobs, so you can make the transition with confidence. 

To find out more about electrifying your home, come along to an information session or fill in our online form and our delivery partners will get in touch to discuss your needs. 

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