The Victorian Government's new building electrification and rental energy efficiency standards are nation-leading and will reduce power bills for both renters and homeowners, Rewiring Australia said today.
"We strongly endorse phasing out gas appliances by upgrading them to better and cheaper electric alternatives when they need to be replaced," said Rewiring Australia's Chief Scientist Dr Saul Griffith.
"Gas forces households to pay higher energy bills and leaves them at the mercy of volatile global energy markets.
"Electric heat pumps and space heating systems are more efficient, more reliable, don't pollute your home and significantly reduce energy bills.
"Phasing out these expensive fossil fuel machines is the easy way to lower emissions and hit our carbon targets sooner, and we call on governments across Australia to follow their lead and deliver this climate and cost-of-living win-win to more households."
Rewiring Australia analysis has found that the average fossil-fuelled Victorian home can save $5,100 per year, over the 15-year lifetime of appliances, by going fully electric including solar panels and an electric car.
"By requiring landlords to electrify their investment properties when gas appliances need to be replaced, Victoria's new standards will crucially reduce energy bills for renters," said Rewiring Australia CEO Francis Vierboom.
"This is vital because renters have little choice in how their home is powered and cannot as easily benefit from cheaper electric alternatives as homeowners.
"Victoria's efficiency standards are nation-leading and we strongly encourage other states to urgently take similar steps to reduce household bills."
