Building Guides
Fully Electric Home
Growing up in New Zealand, electric appliances were simply the norm. We had the old freestanding electric oven with two settings: barely warm or scorching hot. The electric hot water cylinder sat in the linen cupboard, quietly heating towels while doubling as a winter clothes dryer. Heating came from a wood fire that could make the lounge room feel like summer in the middle of winter. And when heat pumps arrived, they felt revolutionary.
Gas, on the other hand, was reserved almost entirely for the BBQ. Which meant one thing: if you wanted the perfect steak, you cooked it outside regardless of the weather. Some things still haven’t changed.
After moving to Australia, it didn’t take long to understand the appeal of gas. Endless hot water from gas boosted systems. Instant heat from the cooktop. Ducted gas heating throughout the home. Even the gas fireplace, which often produced more ambience than actual warmth, somehow became a centrepiece of modern living.
But over the last few years, the conversation around home energy has shifted significantly.
With Victoria moving toward all electric homes for new builds, many homeowners understandably wonder whether we are simply going backwards to the electric systems of the past. The reality, however, is completely different. Modern electric homes are nothing like the homes many of us grew up in.
Today’s electric appliances, heating systems, batteries and smart home technologies are dramatically more advanced, more energy efficient and more comfortable to live with. Combined with the rapid growth of rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles, fully electric homes are increasingly becoming one of the smartest long term investments homeowners can make.
For anyone building a new custom home, one of the best places to start is with a well designed photovoltaic (PV) solar system. While there is an upfront investment, government incentives and the long term reduction in running costs can make a significant difference over time. The earlier solar is incorporated into the home design, the sooner homeowners begin benefiting from reduced energy costs.
Once solar is integrated into the home, the next step is selecting efficient electric systems that can maximise the use of that energy during daylight hours. Heat pump hot water systems, reverse cycle heating and cooling, induction cooking and smart home automation systems can all work together to improve efficiency and reduce reliance on the grid.
Many homeowners initially worry that changing their energy habits may feel inconvenient. In reality, modern automation systems make this transition increasingly seamless. Appliances can be scheduled to run during peak solar generation periods, EV charging can be automated, and energy monitoring systems provide real time feedback that helps homeowners better understand and optimise their consumption.
At Beachstone Homes, we regularly speak with clients who know they want to build a fully electric home, but are unsure where to begin or what systems are worth considering. That uncertainty is exactly why we created our Fully Electric Home resource guide.
The guide explores practical considerations, system options and key design strategies to help homeowners better understand how fully electric living can improve comfort, energy efficiency and long term running costs.
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