Often, suppliers could not tell her how much energy each appliance used and also tried to convince her to run out of gas, she said.
Energy consultant Tim Forcey said finding suppliers and merchants who were on the same page as customers could help ease the transition.
Low-budget consumers could access their Facebook group, My Efficient Electric Home, he said, where more than 60,000 members help each other answer questions and pass on recommendations.
Forcey said Sanctuary Magazine, the Australian Non-Profit Energy Foundation, Renew Magazine and Choice were also great resources.
The next step is to choose your appliances and here Energy Consumers Australia CEO Lynne Gallagher said most people would rather have their appliances replaced one by one when they reach the end of their lives.
“Electricity prices are also rising, home appliances have a long life and the time needed to recoup this investment will be long,” he said.
However, Gallagher said stronger incentives were needed to ensure consumers do not understand new gas appliances that last up to 20 years.
Yeo took the opportunity to make the transition at the same time as he renovated his house.
“There will be an acceleration away from the gas, so it seemed crazy to install any gas appliance,” he said.
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Yeo estimated that he spent more than $ 50,000 changing his appliances at the same time in the house he shares with his partner and their two children.
This included the installation of an induction cooker, an electric heat pump to heat your hot water, and hydraulic wall heaters.
Hydraulic heating works by circulating electrically heated water through the house through pipes that can also pass under the floor.
Electric hot water heat pumps can be tricky to install, but the state government offers a 50% discount of up to $ 1,000 on eligible hot water heat pump systems.
High-end induction hobs can cost more than $ 10,000.
Forcey said people without that kind of money, or those living in serviced apartments, could cover their existing hob and put a portable induction hob on it. They can be purchased for $ 50 at Aldi or $ 80 at Ikea.
The next challenge is to learn how to use it.
Renowned chef Neil Perry said the thought “you’re cooking with gas now” was obsolete. “You have a lot more control with induction than with gas,” he said. “People are scared because they can’t see [a flame]but the reality is that you learn very quickly. “
Consumers may also need to purchase new pots and pans that are compatible with your new kitchen.
However, Forcey, a former researcher at the University of Melbourne, said people could reduce their heating bill by a third.
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“The easiest way for a lot of people to stop using a lot of gas and start saving a lot of money is to just find the heat button on their reverse cycle air conditioner,” he said.
Spilled system air conditioners could be purchased for as little as $ 1,000, after applying the $ 1,000 state government discount.
However, improving your heating will have little effect unless you properly insulate your home. Forcey said many Victorian homes had numerous vents that were necessary for safety when using gas heating.
When you’ve finally changed all your gas appliances, it’s time to call your energy provider to ask them to turn off your gas.
This is to avoid paying the $ 270 annual supply charge that applies regardless of whether you use it.
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