Step by step: Helen’s all-electric home

Helen has converted her 1920s workers cottage in Northcote into a fully electric, gas free, comfortable home.

Helen has always been interested in sustainability, and with access to some rebates to get started, she has been able to convert her 1920s workers cottage in Northcote to a fully electric, gas free, comfortable home.

Helen’s first solar panels were purchased through a bulk buy program offered by Darebin Council in 2008. In 2021, a state government rebate supported battery purchases and Helen took the opportunity to add a Tesla Powerwall and more solar power.

Helen is now almost self-sufficient throughout all but the winter months, and as she says "during power outages the house simply keeps going."

"I zone the use of my house – for example, in winter I only heat one room in the evening. It is important to stop draughts and to use blinds and curtains."

The secret to Helen’s near self-sufficiency is smart use of her power sources and some great design features.

Helen really understands how to use her solar panels to make the most of the sunshine. "It takes a bit of a mind shift to remember to put your washing machine on during the day", but Helen has gotten used to it. She also sets a switch on the battery to tell it to draw from solar or the grid depending on the weather conditions and her needs.

Good design and passive heating and cooling are important too. When renovating Helen was able to add more insulation to walls and some floors and added polished concrete floors for thermal mass. Louvre windows in the living room enable air flow for cooling in summer. Heavy curtains, outside blinds and deciduous trees along the western side of the garden help manage drafts, extreme temperatures and lighting across seasons.

"Electrification is 'a stepwise process' – a long term one. I am planning to stay in my house and I am privileged that I can make these changes and invest in electrification."

The last piece in the puzzle of removing gas entirely was to add an induction cooktop in the kitchen which Helen says, "I love; it is fast, responsive, consistent and easy to clean."

Helen’s home is comfortable all year, uses little power from the grid and is true to Helen’s values. She says, "the reduction of energy use is really great – I have always been interested in caring about our planet."

Find out more

Follow the six steps to an all-electric home.