Want to fully electrify your house? Don’t start with a battery
It makes more sense to go solar and quit gas before getting a home battery.
Australians often seek to go fully electric, but determining the best approach can be challenging. To assist, a model was created for a three-bedroom Melbourne house, assessing three pathways. The first involves replacing gas heating and the petrol car with an electric vehicle (EV) and installing a large solar array. The second pathway adds a medium-sized home battery, while the third incorporates a larger battery.
Pathways 1b, 2b, and 3b maintain the petrol car, incorporating state rebates. The analysis reveals the importance of first reducing energy demand through insulation and sealing gaps, followed by installing solar panels. Next, replacing gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives is key, with home batteries being the last step if beneficial. Total costs vary, with the most cost-effective method requiring around $23,900 after rebates.
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