TL;DR: Tip 1 – Find trusted, independent information, Tip 2 – Plan your approach, Tip 3 – Access available rebates and resources, Tip 4 – Wait for a sale or negotiate a better deal, Tip 5 – Know the issues.
If you’re contemplating upgrading gas appliances in your home, or even disconnecting from the gas network altogether, here are a few handy tips and resources to cut through the confusion.
You will avoid ongoing fixed gas supply charges once you disconnect from the gas network, but you may be required to pay an “Abolishment fee” for permanent disconnection.
Just stop using gas appliances in favour of existing electric appliances that do the same job, such as a reverse cycle air conditioner for space heating.
Undertaking a wider energy retrofit may mean you can buy a smaller, cheaper reverse cycle air conditioner when replacing gas heating.
Many of us have grown up with gas in our homes and when one appliance breaks, the easiest thing to do is replace like-for-like.
Can induction reach the same temperatures as gas? And are electric boilers cheaper to run than gas? I’d love to cut off from gas in the near future (if I can afford it).
Yes. Way faster too. No wasted heat into room.
If your panels are going while the electric heat pump or element HWS is in, then yes. If you get a Solar HWS, the initial outlay is expensive but then it’s basically free 90% (depending on cloud cover and boosting with electric).
The “cost” of gas isn’t in the price you pay, it’s the methane leaking throughout the environment ruining it for everyone.
Thank you for the insights! Time to start budgeting.
Keep in mind entry level induction stoves are kind of garbage and will almost guarantee a frustrating cooking experience due to very basic temp controls. You will likely also need to budget a new dedicated circuit for your induction stovetop unless you enjoy having to reset your breakers every time you turn the kettle and stove on at the same time.