Meet these switched-on Inner Westies: Josh and Hema's story
Meet Josh and Hema, Leichhardt homeowners who are electrifying their home to reduce their environmental impact and improve their health.
When they bought their house, it had a gas stovetop, flued gas heating, and an instantaneous gas hot water heater. During a 2021 renovation, they started their transition to an all-electric home by replacing the gas stovetop with an induction cooktop and removing the flue for gas heating. They retained the functional instantaneous gas hot water heater and are seeking quotes for a hot water heat pump, which would allow their house to become all-electric.
As part of their renovation, they also installed a 2.5kW split-system air conditioner to further improve energy efficiency and comfort. However, they didn't stop there. In 2022, they installed a 6.66 kW solar system to generate more electricity than they consume. Josh and Hema are now proud to say that their home is not only healthier, but it's also energy self-sufficient.
According to Josh, "We've been able to save a significant amount on our energy bills since transitioning to an all-electric home. Plus, our indoor air quality has improved since we no longer burn natural gas in our home. It's been a win-win for us." Hema adds, "Our solar system has been a great investment, especially since we generate more electricity than we consume. We're even thinking about getting an electric vehicle next."
They encourage other homeowners to consider making the switch to an all-electric home. As Josh and Hema say, "It's a small change that can make a big impact."
Want to know more about electrification?
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Disclaimer - the Solar Victoria rebates profiled in the videos are only available for Victorian residents. NSW residents still have access to the Commonwealth Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme which supports small-scale installations like household solar panels and solar hot water systems.