Victoria
New South Wales
South Australia
QueenslandWhy is it Important to Disconnect Gas?
Disconnecting from gas is a crucial step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective future. With the increasing unreliability of gas supplies and their environmental impact, finding alternative energy sources is more important than ever. Here’s why it makes sense to disconnect your gas.
Gas is Expensive.
With 90% of its households connected to the gas network, Victoria accounts for the highest gas consumption in Australia. Historically, gas was readily available and an affordable energy source for Victorians. However, in recent years, this has changed due to price fluctuations in the international gas market and a decline in production from domestic fields like the Bass Strait. This rise in gas prices has exacerbated the cost of living crisis, making it even harder for Victorian households to manage their expenses. With gas being a non-renewable fossil fuel with decreasing internal supply, consumers are exposed to more future global price hikes.
Save on Energy Bills.
Switching to an all-electric home can offer significant savings on energy bills compared to dual-fuel homes that use both electric and gas appliances. The annual energy consumption cost of a dual-fuel home is about $3,600, whereas an all-electric home costs only $2,600, giving you an instant saving of $1,000. When combined with Solar PV systems, these savings can increase up to $2,200 per year, making the move toward electric appliances a financially smart decision. By cutting out the gas supply, you save between 70 to 90 cents per day in supply charges regardless of the energy usage. Annually, these small savings can add up to $328. While there might be concerns about higher electricity costs with an all-electric setup, the superior efficiency of modern electric appliances over gas appliances ensures a comparably lower energy spend.
Health Benefits.
Studies have suggested that gas cooking could pose a similar risk to children with asthma as passive smoking. Eliminating gas appliances can greatly improve indoor air quality, especially gas cooktops and heaters which emit irritants like nitrogen dioxide known to aggravate asthma. A study hosted by Melbourne University on Kitchen Pollutants found that cooking with a gas cooktop in a kitchen even with the doors open led to nitrogen dioxide levels exceeding Australian outdoor air quality standards. This means disconnecting gas creates a healthy living environment whilst helping you save on energy bills.
To Meet Emission Target and Consumption Demand.
Currently, renewable sources make up around 38% of Victoria’s electricity generation, a figure set to soar to an impressive 95% by 2035. This shift is pivotal in slashing emissions across Victoria to reach Australia’s long-term emission reduction plans to achieve net zero by 2050. Conversely, fossil gas currently contributes around 17% of Victoria’s carbon emissions, highlighting the urgent need for electrifying approximately 880,000 homes in 6 years to meet the interim emission reduction target of 2030. Transitioning decisively towards electrification is the only practical way to reduce gas usage in the near future. Considering supply and price volatility of gas, it is crucial to ensure the continued reliability of gas supply in sectors of the economy where electrification may not be immediately feasible, particularly in industrial applications. As gas supply is set to fall, decreasing fossil gas consumption in Victorian households will aid hard-to-abate industries in meeting their future demands.
Visit our Electrify your Home page to learn more about home electrification.
