SEC pilots home electrification one-stop-shop in three Victorian cities

Households in three Victorian cities will be given access to a consumer pilot designed to provide a one-stop-shop for consumers wanting to switch to all electric, as part of a new platform launched by the State Electricity Commission.

Residents in the inner Melbourne cities of Casey, Merri-Bek were given access to the pilot starting this week, the SEC says, while households in the regional City of Ballarat will gain access to the same pilot next month.

The establishment of so-called one-stop-shops for household electrification has been on the agenda of the newly rebooted SEC since its official launch in October 2023.

“We know that too many people have been put off electrifying their home because of the complexity and the cost,” Victorian premier Jacinta Allan said at the time.

“We’ll take the guesswork out of the process and step people through the switch and streamline the process for households.”

Victoria also has more gas to get out of homes than any other state, with 80% of Victorian properties connected to the reticulated supply.

Modelling by the SEC shows that an average Victorian household with gas and electric appliances could potentially reduce their annual energy bill by around 32 per cent, or around $1,400, by switching to all-electric.

Savings are increased even further – to around 62 per cent, or over $2,700 per year – when adding solar.

“The SEC’s electric home platform provides a valuable tool to help Victorians save money on their energy bills at a time when they need it the most,” SEC CEO Chris Miller said this week.

“We know people can reduce their energy bills by switching to electric,” said Miller. “We can show Victorians how to go electric one step at a time and be part of Victoria’s energy transition.”

The SEC says its electric home planner starts with a short survey about a user’s home and energy usage, which provides a tailored plan to cut energy bills through electrification, including suggestions for suitable appliances, indicative costs, return on investment, government rebates and emissions reductions.

This service is available for residents all across Victoria, while the pilot project will give residents in the cities of Casey, Merri-Bek, and Ballarat the option to further progress their personalised plan.

Users in these cities will be able to connect with a local SEC-vetted installer who can make a free house visit to provide a more detailed quote. Households are only required to pay the installers when and if they wish to proceed.

The SEC program is designed to provide relevant information for households of all budget types, including small, cost-effective steps that can be taken immediately, through to larger investments that can be made when existing appliances reach the end of their life.

The SEC will also be running online public information sessions that provide attendees with expert advice and virtual home tours to support Victorians looking to go electric.