Going all-electric isn't just a trend — it's becoming the smartest financial move for Australian homeowners. With gas prices rising, electric alternatives outperforming their gas counterparts, and generous government rebates available, the case for ditching gas has never been stronger. But doing it right requires a plan. Here's a step-by-step guide to going fully electric, in the right order, to maximise your savings at every stage.
Step 1: Install Solar Panels First
If you don't already have rooftop solar, this should be your first move. Solar panels provide cheap electricity that powers all your future electric replacements, dramatically improving the economics of every subsequent step.
- Recommended system size: 6.6–10kW (allows for future all-electric load)
- Typical cost: $5,500–$12,000 after STCs
- Expected savings: $1,200–$2,500 per year on electricity bills
- Payback period: 3–5 years
When sizing your solar system, plan ahead. If you know you'll be adding a heat pump hot water system, reverse cycle heating, and an induction cooktop, choose a larger system now. It's much cheaper to install a bigger system upfront than to add panels later.
Step 2: Replace Gas Hot Water with a Heat Pump
Hot water is typically the most expensive gas appliance to run, so it should be the first gas appliance you replace. A heat pump hot water system uses just a quarter of the energy of a gas system.
- Cost: $2,000–$3,500 after rebates
- Annual savings vs gas: $400–$600
- Payback: 3–6 years
- Best timing: Set the timer to heat water during peak solar hours (10am–2pm)
If your gas hot water system is old or showing signs of failure, don't wait — replace it proactively before it dies on a cold winter morning and you're forced into an emergency replacement at a premium price. Our dedicated guide to converting gas hot water to electric covers the full switchover cost including decommissioning.
Step 3: Replace Gas Heating with Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning
Modern reverse cycle air conditioners are 3–5 times more efficient than gas heating. They also provide cooling in summer, giving you year-round climate control from a single system.
- Split system cost: $1,500–$3,000 per unit installed
- Ducted system cost: $5,000–$10,000 installed (or upgrade existing gas ducting)
- Annual savings vs gas ducted: $400–$1,200
- Additional benefit: Summer cooling — no need for separate cooling system
If you currently have gas ducted heating, you have two options: install a ducted reverse cycle system (higher upfront cost, whole-home solution) or install split systems in key rooms (lower cost, zone-based heating). Many households find that 2–3 strategically placed split systems heat their home more efficiently than a ducted system — our breakdown of the cost to replace a gas heater with reverse cycle walks through both options in detail.
Step 4: Replace Gas Cooktop with Induction
The cooktop is usually the least expensive gas appliance to run, so it's the lowest priority for replacement — but also the cheapest to switch.
- Induction cooktop cost: $600–$1,500
- Installation (new circuit): $200–$500
- Annual savings vs gas: $40–$80
Induction cooking is faster (boils water twice as fast as gas), more precise, easier to clean, and doesn't release combustion pollutants into your kitchen. Most people who switch to induction never want to go back — the only adjustment is learning not to lift the pan while stirring.
Step 5: Disconnect Gas Supply
Once every gas appliance has been replaced, you can disconnect your gas supply and stop paying the daily supply charge ($310–$365 per year).
- Contact your gas distributor (not retailer) to arrange meter removal
- Disconnection cost: $200–$600 depending on state and distributor
- Timeline: typically 2–6 weeks from request to completion
- Cancel your gas retail contract once the meter is removed
Make absolutely sure all gas points are capped and no gas appliances remain before requesting disconnection. A licensed gasfitter should certify that the property is safe for disconnection.
Budget and Timeline Planning
You don't need to do everything at once. Here's a practical timeline that spreads the cost:
| Stage | Action | Cost (after rebates) | Suggested Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Install solar panels | $5,500–$10,000 | Year 1 |
| 2 | Replace gas hot water with heat pump | $2,000–$3,500 | Year 1–2 |
| 3 | Replace gas heating with reverse cycle | $2,500–$8,000 | Year 2–3 |
| 4 | Replace gas cooktop with induction | $800–$2,000 | Year 2–3 |
| 5 | Disconnect gas | $200–$600 | When all gas gone |
| Total investment | $11,000–$24,000 |
Expected Total Savings
Once fully electric with solar, a typical household can expect:
- Gas bill eliminated: $1,200–$2,500 per year
- Electricity bill reduced by solar: $1,200–$2,500 per year
- Total annual savings: $2,000–$4,000 per year
- Overall payback: 5–8 years for the complete transition
Going all-electric is a journey, not a sprint. By following this sequence — solar first, then hot water, heating, cooking, and finally gas disconnection — you maximise savings at every stage and spread the investment over a manageable timeframe. The end result is a home that's cheaper to run, healthier to live in, and significantly better for the environment.