How Electrifying Everything Will Save You Money
Hello, energy-savvy friends! While politicians and media talking heads keep banging on about "cheap gas" this election season, we here at Rebate Spy have been crunching some eye-opening numbers. Spoiler alert: your gas connection might be burning more than just methane – it's likely burning through your hard-earned dollars too!
The Not-So-Great Gas Situation
Let's cut to the chase: there are over 5 million Australian homes with gas connections. And how many would be financially better off by ditching gas entirely? According to our calculations... all 5 million of them!
That's right – whether you've got solar panels (which makes the case even stronger) or you're running purely on grid electricity, saying "see ya later" to gas makes financial sense almost everywhere in Australia. The only slightly questionable location is WA, but even there, with gas price rises locked in for the next 4 years, the financial benefits are only going to get more compelling over time.
Renting? We feel you – it's trickier without landlord support, but as long as you're not funding upgrades to someone else's property, you'll still come out ahead financially.
And while we're focusing on the money side today (because who doesn't love saving a buck?), we should mention that ditching gas also means waving goodbye to a significant health hazard that, frankly, would never get approved for home use if it were introduced today. So your wallet and your lungs will thank you!
Four Fantastic Ways Giving Gas the Boot Saves You Cash
Getting your gas permanently disconnected saves money in four main ways:
No more gas supply charges (the fees you pay just to be connected, regardless of usage)
Lower running costs for appliances – especially when using reverse-cycle air conditioning and heat pump hot water systems
Even bigger savings with solar – rooftop solar dramatically lowers electricity costs, and batteries let you use that solar energy at night
No more safety check expenses – no need to pay for regular gas appliance inspections (though admittedly, most Aussies are rolling the dice and skipping these anyway!)
While you'll need to invest in replacement electric appliances, for most households this investment will pay itself back in a timeframe that won't leave you wondering if you made the right choice.
So How Much Will You Actually Save?
The exact amount depends on where you live, how many gas-burning appliances you have, and how often you use them. But we've done some number-crunching for an average 2-3 person household across different Aussie capitals.
Here's what you could save annually by electrifying your home heating, hot water, cooking, and ditching the gas supply charge:
Adelaide
With solar: $770
Without solar: $630
Brisbane
With solar: $665
Without solar: $565
Canberra (the top saver!)
With solar: $1,010
Without solar: $875
Melbourne
With solar: $695
Without solar: $580
Perth
With solar: $205
Without solar: $75
Sydney
With solar: $600
Without solar: $485
Canberra folks stand to gain the most (those cold winters mean high gas consumption), with Adelaide coming in second place. Perth residents see the smallest savings, but even there, a solar-powered home will pocket an extra $205 annually – nothing to sneeze at!
If you're in Perth without solar and thinking "$75 a year isn't worth the hassle" – fair enough! But that's exactly why solar is such a smart investment. Not only will it slash your electricity bills, but it'll also make going off gas much more financially rewarding.
Those Pesky Supply Charges
Even if you barely use any gas, you're still paying a fixed supply charge just to stay connected. These charges vary significantly across Australia:
Adelaide: $310 per year
Brisbane: $255 per year
Canberra: $320 per year
Melbourne: $360 per year
Perth: $90 per year
Sydney: $260 per year
Most Australian households will save around $300 a year just by avoiding these charges alone! Perth's supply charges are notably lower (explaining the smaller overall savings there), but remember – the WA government has locked in future price increases, so this gap is likely to shrink.
Solar Makes Everything Better
While ditching gas makes financial sense for most grid-only homes (except perhaps in WA), having solar panels makes the case absolutely crystal clear everywhere in Australia.
Here's why solar supercharges your gas-free savings:
For home heating: While it's challenging to run heating purely on solar (since it's coldest when it's dark!), even getting 25% of your heating from solar makes a significant difference.
For heat pump hot water: These energy-efficient marvels can be set to run during peak solar production times, potentially using up to 80% solar energy.
For induction cooking: Depending on your household routines, you might power 20% or more of your cooking directly from solar.
The more solar-powered your electric appliances are, the less you'll miss that gas connection!
If you’re ready to start your solar journey, click here to speak to an authorised solar retailer in your area.
Beyond the Bill: Other Savings
While we've focused on direct energy bill savings, there are other financial benefits to cutting gas from your life:
Maintenance savings: If you're one of the rare Aussies who actually gets regular gas safety checks (every 2 years as recommended), you'll save these ongoing costs.
Insurance savings: Some insurers offer lower premiums for all-electric homes due to reduced fire and explosion risks. If your current insurer doesn't, it might be time to shop around!
Health benefits: While harder to put a price tag on, removing gas (especially gas stoves) eliminates a significant indoor air pollution source. Better health means fewer medical expenses and sick days!
And if you're using bottled LPG for cooking? It's even more expensive than piped natural gas, making the switch to induction cooking a no-brainer for your wallet and your cooking experience.
The Golden Rule: Don't Buy New Gas Appliances!
If there's just one piece of advice you take away from this article, let it be this: Don't buy new gas appliances!
Even if you've just purchased a gas appliance, you'll likely still save money in the long run by replacing it with an electric alternative sooner rather than later. When old appliances need replacing, it should always be "gas out, electric in" – even if you're not planning to go all-electric immediately.
The writing is on the wall for residential gas. As more households make the switch to all-electric (especially those with batteries), domestic gas networks will eventually be shut down because there won't be enough users to cover costs. So even if you're not ready to give up gas, eventually gas will give up on you!
Help is Available: Making the Switch Affordable
If your brain is saying "this makes sense long-term" but your wallet is screaming about the upfront costs of replacing appliances, we've got good news! Several states and territories offer financial assistance to help you make the switch:
ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, and VIC all provide help through grants and/or zero-interest loans for heat pump hot water systems and other efficient electric appliances.
At Rebate Spy, we're experts at helping you navigate these incentives. Just click here to get in touch and we'll help walk you through all the rebates you qualify for and help connect you with authorised retailers in your area.
Ready to Kick Gas to the Curb?
Going gas-free is one of the smartest financial and health decisions Australian households can make today. With the right approach and available incentives, the transition can be smooth and affordable.
Not sure where to start? The team at Rebate Spy is here to guide you every step of the way:
We'll help you understand exactly how much you could save based on your location and current setup.
We'll identify all available rebates and incentives to reduce your upfront costs.
We'll connect you with trusted installers for any product you’re interested in.
We'll ensure you avoid any sneaky exit fees the gas companies might try to hit you with.
Don't keep burning money on an outdated energy source. Let us help you make the switch to a cleaner, healthier, and more affordable all-electric home!
Ready to start your gas-free journey? Contact Rebate Spy today – your wallet (and lungs) will thank you!
Note: All figures in this article are based on research conducted in April 2025. Prices and incentives may change over time. Contact Rebate Spy for the most up-to-date information relevant to your specific situation.