Victoria is rolling out gas-free housing in new local government areas as part of a state-backed push for clean, electric homes.
The Victorian Government is helping more families reduce their energy bills by making it easy to switch to energy-efficient electrical appliances through the State Electricity Commission (SEC).
Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio announced that the SEC’s consumer pilot is expanding to households in Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges. These households will now be able to call on a trusted and verified SEC installer to help them reduce their energy bills by installing an energy-efficient heat pump.
“The SEC is building a one-stop shop to make it easier for Victorians to get trusted information so they can make the switch to energy-efficient electric appliances and start saving money on their energy bills,” she said.
Households can use the SEC’s digital planner to get a tailored plan to cut their energy bills by going electric. It includes suggestions for suitable appliances, costs, return on investment, government rebates and discounts.
Households in Maroondah and Yarra Ranges can now also get a quote on the best energy-efficient hot water heat pump for them and have it installed by a trusted and verified SEC installer. The SEC-verified installer can also do a free house visit for a more detailed quote and to answer any further questions.
Heat pump technology provides hot water whenever you turn on the tap and costs much less to run than gas and older electric hot water systems.
Heating water accounts for around 20 per cent of household energy use. By upgrading to a heat pump, households can save up to $330 a year on their energy bills.
For households with solar, the savings are much more significant – they can heat their hot water for free when using power generated by the sun.
The digital planner will also calculate discounts and rebates for eligible households. Eligible households can receive a $1,000 rebate on their heat pump through the Solar Homes program and a discount of around $500 through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
“This takes the guesswork out of trying to figure out what model of heat pump is best for you. It works out the yearly savings, return on investment and eligible government rebates and discounts, to make the process fast and simple,” D’Ambrosio said.
The SEC first ran the pilot in Ballan, with similar pilots also underway in Casey, Merri-bek and Ballarat. The SEC has helped more than 100,000 Victorian households access simple and practical information to save on their energy bills, including over 10,000 households that have used the SEC’s electric home planner.
Households in the City of Maroondah, the Yarra Ranges and Ballan can explore by visiting secvictoria.com.au/heatpumphotwater.
To explore the SEC’s electric home planner, visit secvictoria.com.au/powerup or call 1300 305 700.
