Households in the Maroondah and Yarra Ranges are the latest to gain access to the State Electricity Commission’s (SEC) consumer pilot, aiming to make the switch to energy efficient electrical appliances easier.
The expansion will enable consumers to able to call on a trusted and verified SEC installer for energy efficient heat pumps.
Households can use the SEC’s digital planner to get a tailored plan to cut their energy bills by going electric. It includes suggestions for suitable appliances, costs, return on investment, government rebates and discounts.
Consumers in Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges can now also get a quote on which energy efficiency hot water heat pump is best for them and have it installed by a trusted and verified SEC installer. The SEC-verified installer can also do a free house visit for a more detailed quote and to answer any further questions.
The Victorian Government said heat pump technology provides hot water whenever you turn on the tap and costs much less to run than gas and older electric hot water systems.
Heating water accounts for around 20 per cent of household energy use, and the Victorian Government said that by upgrading to a heat pump, households can save up to $330 a year on their energy bills.
For households with solar, the savings are more significant – they can heat their hot water for free when using power generated by the sun.
The digital planner will also calculate discounts and rebates for eligible households. Eligible households can get a $1000 rebate on their heat pump through the Solar Homes program and around a $500 discount through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
Ringwood East resident, Alex Robertson, is now benefiting from lower energy bills and reducing emissions after installing an electric heat pump hot water system in 2024.
The upgrade to a heat pump hot water system is part of Mr Robertson’s journey to go electric and follows the installation of solar panels, a solar battery storage system and the replacement of gas ducted heating with reverse cycle air conditioning.
Mr Robertson estimates that, thanks to his electric heat pump hot water system, his household energy bills have reduced by around $400 a year.
“Getting the heat pump was an easy switch – it’s quiet, gives us reliable hot water when we need it, and was hassle-free to install. Our move towards making our home electric has drastically cut our bills and it feels great to be running the house more sustainably.”
The SEC first ran the pilot in Ballan, with similar pilots also underway in Casey, Merri-bek and Ballarat.
The Victorian Government said the SEC has helped more than 100,000 Victorian households access simple and practical information to save on their energy bills, including more than 10,000 households who have accessed the SEC’s electric home planner.
SEC CEO, Chris Miller, said helping Victorians to reduce their energy bills with initiatives such as its heat pump hot water pilot is central to the SEC’s purpose.
“The SEC is not only investing in wind, solar and storage to bring more affordable renewable energy online, but helping households access the information, products and services that will help them benefit from the transition.”
Victorian Minister for the SEC, Lily D’Ambrosio, said the SEC is building a one-stop shop to make it easier for Victorians to get trusted information so they can make the switch to energy efficient electric appliances and start saving money on their energy bills.
“This takes the guess work out of trying to figure out what model of heat pump is best for you,” she said.
“It works out the yearly savings, return on investment and eligible government rebates and discount, to make the process fast and simple.”
Victorian Member for Eastern Metropolitan, Shaun Leane, said, “This will make it easier for households to get the information they need to find out how much they can save by getting a heat pump.”
More information on the trial in Maroondah, the Yarra Ranges and Ballan can be found here.
