Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I electrify my home?
Please refer to the pages on this site under the heading Why Electrify?
How much money will I save by electrifying different aspects of my home?
Use the Climate Council’s Bill Savings Simulator to work out how much money you can save by switching from gas to efficient electric appliances and improving your home’s energy efficiency. It offers practical advice and details how much you will save from each action.
How can I understand my current energy usage?
Understanding your current energy usage will help you identify the biggest potential savings and which appliances to prioritise as you change to efficient, electric appliances.
Apply for an Advanced Meter to be installed in your home switchboard. The meter is free under the Tasmanian Government’s energy upgrades scheme. It will help you save money by showing, via an app on your phone, how your home uses energy and provides instantaneous information to optimise your home’s energy usage. More information is available on the Aurora site.
What discounts, subsidies and rebates are available?
The Tasmanian Government has an Energy Saver Loan Scheme to fund the purchase price and installation of energy-efficient products. The scheme offers interest-free loans to eligible applicants of between $500 and $10,000, repayable between one and three years. Further information is available here.
The Tasmanian Government also has an e-Transport support scheme that involves rebates of up to $2,000 and interest-free loans. Rebates are available for the purchase of e-Mobility devices such as e-bikes, cargo e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards, and or the purchase of an electric vehicle. No-interest loans are available to install home chargers for an electric vehicle. Further information is available here.
What do I need to know about charging an EV?
The Choice magazine site contains a free article that covers the basic questions about charging an Electric Vehicle.
What is the difference between single phase and 3 phase power?
Single phase power has two live wires – an active and a neutral – while 3 phase power has three active wires and one neutral which increases the amount of power that can be delivered to a home.
Are single phase connections usually sufficient for transition to an all-electric home?
Most Australian homes and apartments have a single-phase electrical connection from the street and can continue to use this as they transition to an all-electric home. If you install a large solar system or need to charge multiple electric vehicles simultaneously, you may need to upgrade to three phase power.
Three phase power is used for homes with higher-than-average electricity demands, larger homes or commercial and industrial settings that have high electricity demands and more powerful appliances.
Would I need to upgrade my switchboard?
If you are building, renovating, or upgrading your appliances, you may require new circuit breakers and wires for new appliances on your switchboard. Whether you need to upgrade your switchboard will depend on how old it is and how many circuits it already has.
If you need to upgrade your switchboard, a new switchboard with extra capacity will make it easier to add new circuits as your electrical needs change.
We recommend you talk with a qualified electrician about whether your switchboard is adequate for your electrification plans.
What questions should I ask an electrician about upgrading my switchboard?
As you transition to an all-electric home your future energy supply will need to accommodate electric heating and cooling, hot water, cooking and perhaps solar, electric vehicles and e-bikes as well. Your switchboard and wiring may need some work to enable this transition, so think about your long-term plans when speaking with an electrician.
We recommend you get several quotes and ask the following questions when selecting a qualified electrician to assist you in transitioning to an all-electric home:
What experience have you had with all-electric home upgrades and switchboard installations?
How do you assess our specific electrical needs and advise on whether we need to transition to three-phase power or upgrade the switchboard?
Are there any potential future expenses or issues we should be aware of?
Are you a member of Master Electricians Australia and do you offer their warranty?
Can you provide local references where you have done comparable work?
Are you happy to be contacted for post-installation support or questions?
I couldn’t find an answer, how do I get in touch?
Send us a message on our Contact form, and we will try to help.