Rewiring Australia has endorsed the Victorian Government’s Gas Substitution Roadmap Update and its sensible extension of the existing energy upgrades program, which will lower bills and emissions by making household electrification more affordable.
The Victorian Government has today announced from next year rebates will be available to support Victorians to upgrade to electric induction cooktops and hot water systems, helping people fully electrify their homes at a discounted rate.
Existing households that go all-electric can save $1,700 a year, or up to $2,700 a year with solar installed – a 60 per cent reduction in energy bills. The price of gas has leapt 35 per cent in the last two years.
Research published by Rewiring Australia since 2021 has demonstrated that households that replace gas-powered appliances with modern, efficient, electric alternatives, particularly for houses with rooftop solar and switch to EVs, could be saving up to $5000 by around 2030.
Dan Cass, executive director of Rewiring Australia, said Victoria’s Gas Substitution Roadmap is providing a clear policy signal for the energy, appliances and building sectors that the zero carbon future for households is electrification.
“The climate COP yesterday agreed to the beginning of the end of fossil fuels and Victoria is already on this path.
“When it comes to household energy, green hydrogen and renewable methane are red herrings and delay tactics by the fossil sector.”
The Gas Substitution Roadmap Update consolidates the direction for consumer energy policy in Victoria which is to use electrification for household decarbonisation, not green hydrogen or renewable methane.
“Electrification offers more to Victoria than any other state because it has a higher proportion of households currently reliant on fossil gas for heating, hot water and cooking, which exposes them to price gouging by international energy companies. Today’s announcement of new discounts for electric induction cooktops is another big step in the right direction, which is off dirty, expensive fossil gas and towards clean, efficient electrification,” Cass said.
“Minister Lily D’ambrosio has provided steady leadership for electrification which should inspire other states to embrace policies that help households to save money by getting off and independent of expensive fossil gas.
“Electrification is the swiftest, cheapest way to lower emissions and remove thousands of dollars a year from energy bills, and it can be done with existing, off-the-shelf technology. Decisions made around the kitchen table account for 42% of emissions in the domestic consumption economy.
“This year isn’t over and it has already been named the hottest in recorded history. A climate emergency demands fast, bold action. The most efficient and equitable way to accelerate the rate of emissions reduction is electrification.”
