After receiving a $4,000 gas bill one winter in Canberra, we knew something had to change. That shock led us to electrify our previous home, saving around $10,000 in the first year. So when we moved to our 20-year-old, four-bedroom home on the Sunshine Coast, going all-electric was an easy decision. While our journey did not begin as a sustainability project, the financial, comfort and environmental benefits quickly became obvious.
Today, our home runs entirely on electricity, with rooftop solar, battery storage, electric vehicles and smart controls working together as an integrated home energy system. We replaced all gas appliances, including the cooktop, hot water system and even the BBQ, with efficient electric alternatives.
We have a 25 kWp solar system, a SigEnergy battery system, and a bidirectional DCEV charger that allows us not only to charge our EVs from solar, but also to use vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid capability as part of the overall energy system. We also drive two electric cars, further reducing our household emissions and fuel costs.
With abundant solar generation, battery storage and smart energy management, our home can store excess renewable energy, shift consumption to the cheapest times of day, and export power back to the grid when it is most valuable. In many months our electricity bills are in credit, particularly when surplus solar and stored energy are exported during peak pricing periods.
Beyond the financial savings, the home is healthier, quieter and more resilient. Living gas-free has improved indoor air quality, while solar, batteries and EV integration have made us less exposed to rising energy costs and more prepared for the future grid. By switching to an all-electric home powered by renewable energy, we have significantly reduced our carbon footprint while improving comfort, energy independence and overall quality of life.
Last year Cottonwood was the Northern most Sustainable House Day open house.
