Ballan residents set to save on energy bills with new SEC pilot
15 November 2024
A growing number of Victorian households are switching their heating, cooling and cooking appliances from gas to electric to reduce their energy bills. But the way we heat water in our homes can be overlooked.
It is a challenge, as rising gas prices expose a large proportion of Victorians to higher energy bills. But there are ways that households can take control of these costs.
A new SEC pilot is supporting residents in the Victorian town of Ballan to switch to heat pump hot water systems.
The highly efficient heat pump technology is already common in air conditioners, refrigerators and other household appliances, and is now widely available for heating water.
Heating water accounts for around 20 per cent of household energy use. By replacing a gas hot water system with a quality heat pump hot water system, households can save around $250 per year.
Ballan residents can access the pilot through the SEC’s new electric home planner. The free online tool simplifies making the switch to electric. It surveys users about their household, appliances and energy expenses to develop a tailored plan to make the switch. Users can view indicative costs and savings, government rebates, return on investment and emissions reductions.
For Ballan resident Renee Robinson, installing a hot water heat pump will help further reduce her energy bills, following her switch to electric two years ago. The planner is helping her consider heat pump options for her electric hot water system.
“I’ll be using the home planner to explore my options for a heat pump. It’s great to be able to see how much you can save on your energy bills, along with the upfront cost so you can work out a return on investment,” Renee said.
Ballan residents will have an additional option to compare hot water heat pump products and connect with an SEC-endorsed installer, who can visit their home to provide a detailed quote and answer questions.
If you live in Ballan and want to explore how you will benefit from switching your hot water to a heat pump system, complete the electric home planner or call the SEC on 1300 305 700.
