Gas appliances in a home are usually major appliances, such as hot water service, heating systems or cooking equipment. These appliances have a lifespan of between 10 and 20 years and can be expensive to replace. This article covers what it might cost to transition from gas to electric appliances in the home.
Hot water and cookers are covered below. Heating can get complex so we’ll cover that in our next article. Pricing below is indicative only and was found from online searches. We’ve put in the cheapest prices we could find to start from, but actual cost will be totally dependent on what is chosen.
What we found…
Changing over a hot water system or cooker from gas to electric is likely to cost marginally more, but the efficiencies are much greater. Not having gas appliances in the home is healthier for you and your family, and if you have solar power on your roof all the better!
Hot Water Sytems
Gas hot water systems are generally storage or instantanous types. Upgrading them to electric heat pump is the most efficient replacement option. If you also happen to have a solar hot water system on your roof, if possible retain and connect it into the new heat pump, it will help reduce hot water heating costs even further.
Costs for the replacement are totally dependent on the model you choose and heat pump pricing varies from $1500 to $6000. Victoria has rebates available to upgrade to heat pumps which helps to reduce the capital cost.
- Gas storage – 270L – around $1500 to buy
- Gas instant unit – from $840 to buy
- Heat pump – 270L – around $2000 upwards – rebates available and can reduce the cost to $1400 or thereabouts.
Cooktops
Gas cooktops or freestanding gas cookers can easily go electric. Cooktops can be replaced with electric models, or better still induction cooktops. Freestanding cookers (gas cooktop and oven) can be replaced with electric models (aim for an induction top).
Why is induction better? Instant response, faster cook time and more efficient than gas. They are also much easier to clean and provide a healthier indoor environment.
- Gas cooktop – starting from $ 250 to buy upwards
- Electric cooktop – starts from $250 to buy upwards
- Induction cooktop – starts from $280 to buy upwards
- Freestanding gas cooker – starts from $770 to buy upwards
- Freestanding electric cooker – starts from $629 to buy upwards
A note on induction – you may need to change your pots and pans. To test if they will work on induction cooktops get a fridge magnet and see if it sticks to the bottom of the pan or pot. If it sticks it will work, if not, it won’t.
If you want to try cooking with induction, buy a cheap portable induction unit (one or two zones) and give it a go. Prices start at around $50 and they’re available in many stores. Choice have an article on them here.
Heating – will be covered in our next article
But if you’re wondering what is the most energy efficient form of heating – its an inverter reverse cycle unit (or split system as its also known). Choose the most energy efficient model you can (more stars on the rating the better).
