The electrify everything movement: what it means for Australian homes

Thousands of Australian households are ditching gas. Not because they're tree-huggers (though some are), but because going all-electric saves serious money — especially if you've got solar on the roof.

What "electrify everything" actually means

It's straightforward: replace every gas appliance with an efficient electric one.

• Gas heaters become reverse-cycle air conditioners (heat pumps)
• Gas hot water becomes heat pump water heaters
• Gas cooktops become induction
• Petrol cars become EVs

When your electricity comes from rooftop solar, running costs drop to near-zero and indoor air quality improves immediately.

Why it's happening now

Four things lined up at once:

Solar got dirt cheap. Prices dropped 89% since 2010. A 6.6kW system in Perth can pay for itself in 3-5 years — modelled on current Synergy rates; actual payback depends on usage and orientation. That's the cheapest electricity available to a household.

Heat pumps got really good. Modern heat pumps produce 3-5 units of heating for every unit of electricity consumed. Gas can't touch that efficiency.

Gas prices went up. Household gas bills have risen 30-50% in many areas. Solar electricity stays flat and predictable.

The health data came in. Gas cooking increases childhood asthma risk by 42%. Once you know that, it's hard to justify keeping the gas cooktop.

The money: what it actually saves

Here's the maths for a modelled, typical Perth household:

Before (gas + electric): ~$150 gas supply + $600 gas usage + $2,000 electricity = ~$2,750/year

After (all-electric with solar): $0 gas + $800 electricity after solar offset = $800/year

In this modelled scenario, that's ~$1,950/year saved. Over 10 years, around $19,500 — enough to cover the solar panels, new appliances, and still come out ahead. Your own number depends on your usage and tariff; the Calculator works it out for your house.

The health bonus

Gas appliances release nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and fine particulates directly into your home. Electric alternatives produce zero indoor combustion emissions.

For families with kids, this matters. Australian research shows children in homes with gas cooking have higher asthma rates, more respiratory infections, and use more asthma medication. Switching to induction eliminates that exposure. Read our full breakdown of gas health risks.

How to do it (without blowing the budget)

You don't need to electrify everything in one hit. Here's a sensible order:

Start with solar. A 6.6kW system ($5,000-8,000 after rebates) can save $1,200-2,000/year — actual results depend on usage and orientation. It's the foundation that makes everything else cheaper to run.

Replace hot water next. When your gas unit dies, go heat pump ($2,500-4,000 after rebates). Uses around 70% less energy than gas. Can save $300-500/year.

Swap the cooktop. Induction ($1,000-3,000) is faster, safer, and can save $100-200/year. Plus the health benefits are immediate.

Ditch the gas heater. A reverse-cycle AC ($2,000-5,000) heats and cools at 3-5x the efficiency. Can save $200-400/year.

Battery and EV when you're ready. These are the bigger investments ($12,000-20,000 for battery, $45,000+ for EV) but the savings compound — typically $500-1,000/year from the battery, $2,000-4,000/year from ditching petrol.

Rebates that help pay for it

Federal: STCs reduce solar costs by roughly $1,400-3,700 at point of sale in 2026 for typical 5-13kW Perth systems (a 6.6kW system gets about $1,800 off), stepping down each year until the scheme ends in 2030. The Home Energy Upgrades Fund offers low-interest loans for energy improvements.

WA State: The WA Battery Scheme (Synergy customers) pays $130/kWh off a home battery, capped at $1,300, and offers an interest-free loan up to $10,000. DEBS pays you for excess solar exported to the grid.

Concession holders: Energy Assistance Payment (up to $342.85/year) and Hardship Utility Grant Scheme for additional support. See our full WA rebates guide.

Common pushback (and honest answers)

"Won't I need an electrical upgrade?" Probably not. Heat pumps and induction cooktops draw less power than you'd think. Only large battery systems occasionally need switchboard work.

"What about blackouts?" A battery with backup capability keeps essential circuits running during outages. Without a battery, you're no worse off than you were with gas.

"Is induction really as good as gas?" Better. It's faster, more precise, and most professional chefs who've tried it prefer it. The only catch: you need magnetic-based cookware (stainless steel or cast iron).

"Gas is cheaper where I live." For now. Gas prices are rising faster than electricity, and solar locks your cost at zero. The trend only goes one direction.

The emissions cut

A fully electrified home with solar reduces household emissions by 10-17 tonnes/year — 2-4 from eliminating gas, 5-8 from solar, and 3-5 from switching to an EV. Over a decade, that's equivalent to planting 350-600 trees.

But honestly? Most people electrify for the savings. The emissions reduction is a bonus they can feel good about.

See what electrification would save your household: Our Calculator models the full switch — available rebates, running cost changes, and projected savings for your specific usage. Run your numbers.