Households
Why it’s important
The ACT Government is committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2045. We have announced our plan to electrify our city and transition the ACT away from fossil fuel energy by 2045, including fossil fuel gas. This is going to be a long-term transition, we are not switching off the gas network overnight. We’ll provide ACT households time to switch, when it’s right for them.
ACT households can be powered by 100% renewable electricity. Upgrading your current gas appliances to all-electric alternatives means you can harness this power to lower your energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Electric appliances are more efficient than gas alternatives and can offer great lifestyle benefits such as instant hot water, or safer stovetops.
The last step in your transition to an all-electric household is to abolish or disconnect your gas connection. While it is an individual household choice, the safest option is for you to abolish your connection. You can read more about the difference between abolishment vs disconnection in our Switching off your gas connection factsheet.
You can also consider electrifying the way you travel by purchasing a zero emissions vehicle (ZEV), like an electric vehicle. While ZEV’s are still typically priced at a premium compared to petrol or diesel (Internal Combustion Engine vehicles) alternatives, the reduced operational costs and greater resale value of ZEV’s means that they can cost you less in the long run.
Compare the total cost of owning a ZEV to an ICE vehicle.
The ACT Government also offers some of the most generous financial incentives in Australia, including zero interest loans, stamp duty waivers and free registration for two years. Find out more about ZEVs on the Everyday Climate Choices Website.
What it means for you
Upgrading your existing home
Upgrading major gas appliances in your home will save you money and reduce your home’s greenhouse gas emissions. The right time to transition is when existing appliances reach their end of life, break down, or when you make major renovations or alterations to your home.
Building a new property
Building a new home is the perfect time to choose all-electric, efficient appliances. You should consider building electric to set your home up for a sustainable future and avoiding unnecessary charges or disconnection costs down the track. The ACT Government will introduce a regulation to prevent new gas connections in the ACT in late 2023. All newly built homes will need to be all-electric once the regulation commences.
Saving energy as a renter
We understand that as a renter you don’t always have control over the major appliances in your property. There are still simple steps and smart choices you can make to reduce your energy and natural gas use around your home. The ACT Government has introduced a regulation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 which requires all residential rental properties in the ACT to meet a new minimum energy efficiency standard for ceiling insulation.
Switching off your gas connection
If you’re currently transitioning your home from gas to electric, you will need to think about switching off your gas connection. When you’ve replaced all your gas appliances with efficient electric options and no longer use gas, you can either abolish your gas connection or just close your account. You will save money on your annual supply charge. To find out more you can download the Switching off your gas connection factsheet.
Start your energy journey
We’ve partnered with Australia’s leading consumer advocacy group, CHOICE, to create an online experience – iThe tool helps Canberra households to create their own energy transition plan and switch off gas.
The tool will:
- help you identify by when appliances in your home will need to be swapped out
- showcase the latest energy efficient electric appliances on the market that are best suited to your individual household needs
- provide cost estimates for upgrades
- provide estimates for cost and emissions savings because of your upgrades.
You can also access information through the Your Energy Journey tool on how to take action and transition to an all-electric home or business.
More information:
Have your say
To help Canberra prepare for an electric future, we’re developing the Integrated Energy Plan which will step out the pathway to transform the Territory’s energy systems into the future and ensure a fair and equitable energy transition for all Canberrans.
An Integrated Energy Plan Position Paper is now available on Your Say Conversations and government is seeking feedback on the ACT’s approach to electrification. The paper will explore what actions we can potentially take out to 2030, with a plan to review progress and release further stages of the Integrated Energy Plan in the lead up to 2045.
The Canberra community can now have their say and provide their ideas on the Position Paper by visiting YourSay Conversations.
FAQ’s
No, this is a long-term plan for ACT households. We want to approach this transition responsibly and sustainably over the next 20 years.
While many factors influence the cost of energy, our modelling indicates that based on recent and current trends, as well as existing government policies, gas prices are likely to increase over time while electricity prices will likely decrease.
All-electric appliances are generally more efficient than their gas counterparts. This means they’re cheaper to run. You’ll also be reducing your household’s carbon footprint.
If you have an appliance that has reached the end of its lifetime, has broken down, or you are making major renovations or changes to your property.
Through the Sustainable Household Scheme, you may be eligible to access an interest-free loan of $2,000 – $15,000 to put towards the cost of sustainable upgrades, like a hot water heat pump, or induction cooktop.
The Sustainable Home Advice Program will help you understand your energy use and the best ways to make your home more sustainable.
If you’re in financial hardship, the Low-income Household Program could help you find practical ways to reduce their energy and water bills.
The Renters’ Home Energy Program provides free, expert advice on the best actions you can take to make your rental home more comfortable and reduce your energy use and costs.
Yes, our Home Energy Support Program offers rebates of up to $2,500 for installing efficient appliances like hot water heat pumps or reverse cycle heating and cooling systems. The program is also currently offering $2,500 rebates for solar installations.
The program is open to ACT residents who hold an Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.
Make The Switch, developed by the developed by the Conservation Council ACT Region, helps Canberra households switch their homes from gas to clean renewable electricity.
Owner corporations can no longer refuse sustainability upgrade requests, like efficient hot water for your property – It’s part of the Managing Buildings Better reforms.
Renewable gases aren’t presently feasible to replace fossil fuel gas in the mains gas network. We will look at the potential use of renewable gases for specific purposes where needed.
We’ve created an interactive experience to help you explore your options. It’s the first step in your energy journey.
Our Sustainable Home Advice team can also provide answers to questions about choosing electric appliances and making your home more energy-efficient. And you can attend one of our workshops on transitioning your home from gas to all-electric.
The ACT Government is planning to introduce legislation to prevent new gas network connections in the second half of 2023. Consultation on the regulation closed on 20 April 2023. New gas network connections will still be allowed until this regulation is in place.
The contractual process and lead-times for new building construction will be an important consideration in the design and implementation of this policy for the remainder of 2023. It is not expected that a new regulation will impact buildings that have already received Building or Development Approval, unless the construction were to greatly exceed reasonable construction timelines.
If you are building a new home, please consider choosing energy efficient electric appliances. Independent research shows that an all-electric home in Canberra would save $9,000 over 10 years, compared to a home with gas, even taking into consideration the upfront appliance costs.
You can find out more information on the best appliances for your home and Government supports available to help you transition on your energy journey.
