Households flick the switch

Electrification is gaining ground as Australians turn away from gas, but assessing the financial benefits can be complicated

- TOM WATSON

As Australia transitions towards renewable energy sources, there’s also a transformation going on in kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms and bedrooms across the country: household electrification.

According to recent research by the Australia Institute, there is a strong appetite among homeowners to shift away from gas to electric appliances, with 55% of those surveyed feeling positive about the move towards electrification compared with 13% who felt negatively.

Dayne Thompson, chief executive of EnergyFit Homes, says he’s come across more people interested in transforming their homes as the national conversation around electrification has grown. Most of them are motivated to move away from gas for two major reasons.

“I would say that the cost of energy bills and the environment are the two main drivers. Environment for the older generation because we actually have a lot of retirees who want to make sure that they’re doing their part, and then cost for the younger generation. That’s what we typically find.”

But how much does electrifying a home cost – is it worth it from a savings perspective? And what else should households consider before getting started?

Benefits of electrification

Carl Tidemann, a senior researcher at the Climate Council and one of the authors of a 2022 report analysing the running costs of gas and electric appliances, says there are a number of ways homeowners may benefit from a move away from gas.

“There are some pretty major health benefits, particularly with cooking or if you’ve got gas heating that’s unflued – although, thankfully, I think it’s becoming less common – because burning anything in the home isn’t great for indoor air pollution.