Already connected to gas? Your gas connection is safe, secure, and here to stay.

We are all doing the best we can to look after our environment. With still so many unknowns, false information and scepticism, we are also still discovering the best ways to do this.

Energy and the use of energy sources is a key area and there has recently been a lot of positive noise around Electricity, with negative noise towards gas.

The simple fact remains that most of Australia’s Electricity still comes from Coal and reality of that is it is not cleaner then gas. In fact, it is 77% cleaner to use gas, then to use electricity from coal. Add to this, we need gas, in order to get our electricity.

Mark Radka, Head of the United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP) Energy and Climate Branch stated that “Natural gas is a cleaner fuel in the sense that burning it produces fewer conventional air pollutants, like sulfur dioxide and particulates, than does burning coal or oil. In general, burning natural gas also produces less carbon dioxide per unit of energy – about half compared to the best coal technology – and by this measure it’s better from a climate perspective.”. Souce https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/natural-gas-really-bridge-fuel-world-needs

The government website https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy states that “Most of Australia’s energy relies on traditional sources — non-renewable fossil fuels. Coal and gas accounted for around 70% of electricity generation”.

The path laid out in Australia’s latest plan to clean energy is intended to ensure the energy transition already underway will be lower cost, resilient and pragmatic. Importantly, the plan points to where we will need to build important new infrastructure – especially transmission lines – to deliver the new electricity system.

This scenario forecasts the retirement of 90% of Australia’s remaining 21 gigawatts of coal generation by 2034-35, with the entire fleet retired by 2043. This however based on infrastructure plans and other large scale developments taking place which also come at a high cost. Already, we are seeing road blocks and hurdles in these scenarios such as building wind farms through existing Australian citizen owned private properties, ripping up farmlands, forestry etc.

None of these plans include turning off or replacing gas and in fact, national and state bodies have also invested in the Australian Gas Networks projects for cleaner, renewable gas resources.

The proposed electricity changes will also likely lead to higher operating costs, reduced fuel security and high maintenance costs as well as more competition from renewable energy in the wholesale market. To manage the farewell to coal alongside increased electricity demand from population growth and electrification of transport, we will need to add about 6 GW of grid-scale renewable capacity every year in the coming decade.

So, what does this mean to our customers and their search for the best Heating or Cooling options? Ultimately, a lot of noise, a lot of uncertainty, and a lot of politics that will likely impacts costs and false information. 

As a side note, did you know that three Australian companies provide our largest range and solutions for Gas Heaters? Bonaire, Braemar and Brivis are three large Australian brands that provide jobs, infrastructure, manufacturing, development and more right here in Australia as opposed to the larger electric heating and cooling products which are international brands based overseas.

Climatise will always recommend the ‘best’ solution for any customers and what is ‘best’ for each person or scenario may differ. Some considerations for customers include but are not limited to;

• Initial Cost
• Efficiency / Environmental Impact
• Operating Costs
• Heating / Cooling Output
• Ease of Install / possibilities based on current home/office layout

Based on the above, there are times that gas products will be better such as initial costs for Ducted Heating and heat output for products such as Gas Fireplaces. In other scenarios, electric products will be a better option such as operating costs and environmental impacts for any consumer with solar panels, or electric fireplaces for a great showpiece with ease of installation.

So when it comes to gas vs electricity in heating and cooling products, there is no right or wrong answer because neither is always better or worse as a solution even and especially when it comes to operating costs and environmental considerations. So please, don’t be fearful of gas, but rather be open to the advise and expertise that our team will provide in finding the right and best solution for you based on your needs and circumstances.

Is Gas being phased on in Victoria and Australia?

No, in fact the Victorian Government and South Australian Government have invested into the Australian Gas Networks renewable hydrogen gas projects.

In Victoria however, if you already have gas you are fine and have nothing to worry about. Post 1st January 2024 new homes, residential subdivisions, and apartment buildings that require a planning permit in order to be built cannot connect to the gas network unless this decision is reversed.

Importantly, this new requirement does not apply to:

• New dwellings that do not require a planning permit.
• Existing homes that have an existing gas connection.
• Existing homes without an existing gas connection.
• Renovations and extensions to existing dwellings that do not require a planning permit., 

This means that gas customers in Victoria can continue to enjoy the use of safe and reliable gas long into the future without having to make any changes to their homes or appliances.

Is Gas cleaner then Electricity?

Natural Gas carbon emissions are much lower than electricity from coal fired power stations, which is where 70% of Victoria’s electricity is from. So unless you have solar. Gas is a cleaner option.

Can I buy an Electric Ducted Heater?

Yes, you can, but the only option here is an all in one Ducted Reverse Cycle System. This is a great solution, but costs around $8k – $10k more then a stand alone Gas Ducted Heater.

Is it cheaper to run Gas or Electric products?

If you have solar, then Electric based products make the most sense and are worth investment to reduce operating costs. If however you are running off the grid an average home in Victoria can save $505 per year by converting cooking, hot water and heating to natural gas from grid electricity.

Can Gas Fireplaces produce the same heat as Gas Fireplaces?

No, an electric fireplace can only provide 2kw of heat output compared to most Gas Fireplaces that produce 8-10kw of heat output for units that are the same size. The Electric Fireplaces are cheaper to run however due to an Electronic flame compared to a real flame using Gas on Gas Fireplaces. This is also why a Gas Fireplace looks a lot more impressive as it is a real burning flame.