The difference in energy bills was phenomenal

Now in her ninth decade, Margaret is still doing all she can by electrifying her home.

Darebin resident Margaret Moore has been concerned about climate change all her life. Now in her ninth decade, she’s still doing all she can by electrifying her home.

"I looked around my house and thought ‘what can I change?’. I started with my split system to replace my gas heating. It’s very effective and in summer I can keep cool too."

The difference in her winter energy bills just from that change was "phenomenal".

Margaret recently had solar panels installed through the Darebin Solar Saver program, and she’s looking forward to even cheaper bills. "There’s a double benefit for everyone: we lessen our emissions and we reduce our bills too."

She’s not stopping there!

"I’m researching induction cooktops, and if I live long enough, I’ll replace my gas hot water system with electric too."

Margaret is aware of the health benefits of getting off gas.

"Health is something I have given a lot of thought to at my age. When I think about gas, it looks like it’s not polluting but in fact it is. So if you’re in the middle of winter when you’ve got everything closed off, you have to be very careful. I think a lot of people with asthma would do well to think about getting off gas."

In the end, however, climate remains her main motivation.

"I look out of my windows, and I see my neighbours with solar panels all around me. We’re all individually in our households trying to do something and that’s what counts. You might not be able to do much, but if you can do something, start there."

Find out more

Follow the six steps to an all-electric home.