With the threat of climate change the world is starting to decarbonize and more and more people & businesses alike are turning away from fossil fuel energy to renewables. So, is it time to think about future-proofing your home, office or project? Removing gas is simple and a great way to get started.
Going Gas Free is Cheaper in the Long Run
In the past using gas has been known to be a cheaper alternative, however with the growing uptake of solar technology, the electricity market is becoming greener from renewable power resources and appliances becoming more efficient, having an all-electric property and disconnecting from the gas mains can save you money each year on connection and supply charges. Plus, if your property includes solar panels, the savings can be even greater. For example in a case study by the Climate Council Victoria found an all-electric average-sized 4-person family home with solar panels can save up to $2000 per year on bills and depending on the solar system, can even have no energy bills at all.
The Breakdown on Gas-Free Savings;
- No gas connection costs per site
- No gas plumbing cost per dwelling
- A hot water heat pump is more efficient than instantaneous gas and when connected to solar PV power panels is a significantly more efficient than gas hot water.
- Electric induction cooktops are efficient, easy to use, and safer, with their sleek and easy to clean surface.
- Electric induction & gas cooktops are very similar in purchase price.
- Gas usage costs are on the increase.
- Battery storage technology is increasingly improving & is possible to connect at any time.
While many people prefer cooking with gas, you can’t use it without creating emissions, but you can use electricity without emissions. Therefore, in order to reach emissions reduction targets, the Victorian Government is planning a shift to all-electric with the phasing out of gas appliances under a proposed moratorium on new gas connections to Victorian households released earlier this year. So, thinking ahead could save you later.
Going Gas Free is Healthier & Safer
Broadly, gas is not clean, like many of our widely used fossil fuels, it is harming our health and our planet through the extraction & processing used to access this resource as it involves many hazardous substances that can cause hormonal imbalances, asthma, cancer and impact our air quality, pollute the local environment & water. There is also growing evidence that extracting gas can adversely affect communities living close to gas wells.
In the home burning gas can also contribute to poorer health without us even knowing. Many people consider gas to be ‘clean & natural’, however, a household that uses gas cooking has a risk of children developing asthma similar to those living with cigarette smoke. A 2018 study by the University of Queensland found that cooking with gas in the home is attributed to 12.3% of childhood asthma in Australia.
Using gas in the home can also present risks to our safety if appliances aren’t turned off properly, well maintained or become faulty. Carbon monoxide can leek into the home causing headaches, nausea, confusion, tiredness, shortness of breath, chest pain and in some cases even death if levels are high enough.
Make the Switch to All-Electric
While many of us have used gas for years, this resource and it’s impacts are harmful to our families and planet – let’s shift our mindset away from fossil fuels that aren’t sustainable. If you want to update your home, have a new building project underway or are planning one, consider going gas-free and make the switch today.
Want to know how you can go gas-free? Get in touch and we help you decide whether it’s right for you and your project.