SEC logo

Households

The SEC will support households by developing products and solutions to help them switch to electric.

Victorians want a renewable energy future and have shown a strong appetite for moving to all-electric homes. But we still face challenges in reducing our home energy bills and emissions.

With around 80% of households connected to gas, Victorians use more gas at home than any Australian state. Switching heating, hot water and other appliances to electric will help reduce emissions and energy bills. In fact, all-electric homes can lower household energy bills significantly. The SEC will support households by developing products and solutions to help them switch to electric.

There are challenges. Factors such as long lead times and price volatility affect supply chains. Education and training are needed to ensure tradespeople, installers, and other industry practitioners have the knowledge and skills to support households to switch to energy efficient appliances.

Cost and complexity can be barriers to switching, and many people don’t know about the services and technologies available or the longer-term financial benefits. The challenges are even greater for tenants and those who live in apartments.

The SEC will find solutions to help more Victorian households access renewable energy and improve their understanding of the support available to make the switch.

Key actions

Pilot household solutions in 2024 with the view to roll out to more households over time

Educate and engage industry and households on the options and benefits of all-electric homes.

Helping households

As a government-owned business, the SEC will ensure that more Victorians benefit from the renewable energy transition.

We’ll support households, including renters, to go electric by providing products and services that remove some of the barriers to switching.

We’ll focus on products that align with our guiding principles to accelerate the transition, deliver sustainable returns on the capital we are investing on behalf of Victorians and provide broader benefits to the Victorian public, such as local employment and lower power bills.

More affordable energy

Through our investments, the SEC will push more energy into the system, putting downward pressure on wholesale power prices and delivering benefits for all Victorians.

We’ll support Victorians to electrify their homes. Electrifying our homes can cut household energy bills by close to 60% and remove the health impacts of gas cooking and heating.

Indicative annual savings for an average Victorian home going electric

Average household energy savings

A focus on where it matters most

We’ll focus on what matters most in supporting Victorians to electrify their homes.

This includes transitioning from gas heating, hot water and cooking to electric options such as reverse-cycle heating and air-conditioning, heat pump hot water, and induction cooktops.

Transitioning chart

Latest news:

We’re taking the guesswork out of going electric

The SEC is calling for volunteers to test a new digital planner to help households go electric.

My Efficient Electric Home founder gives top tips for saving money this winter

'Victorians could save a fortune if they turned off their gas heating and used reverse-cycle air conditioners to heat their homes instead' says energy expert Tim Forcey

Renewable investment leader Simon Corbell to chair SEC board

The Victorian Government has announced the appointment of our independent board of directors, chaired by renewable energy industry leader Simon Corbell.

Sparky adds value to his business with a solar qualification from TAFE

Joe Gauci was 16 when he joined the original SEC as an apprentice electrician in the Latrobe Valley.

Happy outcome for Victorian sparky who helps people electrify and save money

Mornington Peninsula business owner Trent Jones has seen vast changes in his industry since starting out as an electrician 18 years ago.

From devastation comes hope – and a new, energy-efficient school

It’s not only reduced energy bills but also made the whole school more comfortable.

All-electric homes open up a world of diverse career opportunities

“It feels good to be part of an industry that’s part of the solution. To know we are contributing in a small way to something that is so much bigger than us.”

Electrical apprenticeship sparks a career in solar for Madi

“Solar is such a growing industry, and I feel like it’s going to be the way of the future”

Switching to electric means sustainability and comfort

Meet Matt from Ballarat, who slashed his annual gas bill by $1,500 after switching to electric heating.

Efficiency retrofit saves thousands in energy bills

Energy efficiency consultant Richard and his wife took a staged approach when they began retrofitting their home.

Engineering student discovers a career in renewables and doesn’t look back

Su-Yong Oh hadn’t considered a career in renewable energy until he began working as a project control assistant on the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub.

SEC invests in one of the world’s biggest battery projects

We’re investing $245 million in the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH), a major milestone in our plans to deliver renewable, affordable and reliable energy for all Victorians.

SEC strategic plan to accelerate Victoria's renewable energy transition

The new SEC will put power back in the hands of Victorians by investing in renewable energy generation and storage, supporting households to go all-electric, and building the renewable energy workforce we need to drive Victoria’s energy transition.

Developing the renewable energy workforce of the future

The SEC Energy Jobs and Skills Forum welcomed more than 300 industry and community leaders to share insights to help inform the SEC Centre of Training Excellence and the Victorian Energy Jobs Plan.

Energy upgrades deliver a feel-good bonus

When Claire and her wife began upgrades to reduce their power bills, they discovered other unexpected advantages.

Students consider renewables careers at Gippsland energy summit

Helping the environment and their communities are key motivators for these young Gippsland students considering a career in renewable energy.