A new report reveals that one in three homeowners using mains gas is considering cancelling their gas supply within the next ten years.
Energy Consumers Australia’s How households use gas and their attitudes towards electrification report analyses data from a survey of more than 4,000 Australian consumers to understand how they are currently using gas, whether they are considering electrification and the potential challenges for them in the transition to electric alternatives.
Energy Consumers Australia CEO, Brendan French, said the research shows that many homeowners are considering whether to electrify in the near future.
“This is good news as there have been many studies now, including our own Stepping Up report, showing that consumers who can go all-electric can make significant cost savings.
“But it will be easier for some households to electrify than others.
“If, as this data suggests, there is the potential for an accelerated consumer exit from the gas network in the next 10 years, we need to make sure that those who face barriers to electrification pay a fair and affordable price for gas as long as they use it.”
The report highlights that the ease of electrification for each household will vary significantly depending on how much they rely on gas.
Energy Consumers Australia said more than half of Australian households use mains gas, and about one in four use it for three purposes: cooking, hot water, and heating – indicating electrification could be more challenging and costly for those households.
However, a similar number of households (one in four) with mains gas are only using it for one purpose (either cooking, hot water, or heating), suggesting electrification may be more straightforward and less expensive for them.
“People who face barriers to electrification will need additional help.”
Dr French said t includes people on low incomes who may not be able to afford the upfront costs of electrifying their homes, and people who rent their homes and are reliant on their landlord to make changes to their properties.
“We want to see incentives and assistance for electrification for residential and small business renters, and governments accelerate programs to upgrade social housing stock to ensure no one is left behind. All governments must ensure that the last households to electrify are the ones who choose to wait, not those who couldn’t afford to.”
