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The highly successful Electric Homes Program is now in Ballarat, brought to you by Geelong Sustainability as part of the City of Ballarat's Electrify Your Home initiative.

The Electric Homes Program is open to households across the City of Ballarat.

The Electric Homes Program opens 16 March and closes on 30 June 2025. Installations will continue through 2025.

Expressions of Interest to obtain a quote will open on 16 March. Register Your Interest now to be the first to know when the program opens. You can also attend the launch event to find out about the program, and the products and services included.

Installation times will vary depending on the product and demand on the program. Typical installation times for solar systems, batteries and electric vehicle chargers are between 6-10 weeks while hot water heat pumps and split system heating and cooling systems are typically installed within 4-6 weeks. Installation for insulation and draught proofing as well as home energy audits ranges from 2-6 weeks.
Please talk to your consultant to get an accurate estimate of timeframes.

In 2025, rebates are available for solar panels, hot water heat pumps, and heating and cooling systems. For eligible households the Victorian Government is offering two rebate programs:
• Solar Homes Program provides a $1,400 rebate for solar panels and $1,000 rebate for hot water heat pumps. Interest free loans are also available for solar and battery systems. Eligibility criteria apply.
• Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program provides rebates of $560 to $910 for hot water heat pumps, and rebates for heating and cooling systems range from $210 to $2,520 depending on the type of unit being installed and replaced. Eligibility criteria apply. Speak to one of our delivery partners to learn more.

The City of Ballarat is also offering a rebate to residents who take action to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Improvements must be made between 16 March and 16 September 2025. NB. EV Chargers are not included in the rebate.

Once you’ve eliminated your home’s gas usage, you can disconnect your home from the gas network altogether to avoid paying the connection fee. Permanent gas disconnection costs are now capped at $220, though other fees and exit charges may apply. Talk to your utility provider directly to find out more.

Going all-electric helps support a sustainable - and renewable - future. Unlike gas, which is a fossil fuel, electricity can be generated from renewable sources like solar and wind. With gas prices rising, electricity is an efficient and environmentally friendly option. Plus, you can generate electricity from your rooftop, tapping into the sun’s power, the cheapest energy source! As gas prices rise and supply issues continue, switching to electric helps reduce costs, improve home comfort and take climate action. See Electrify Your Home for more details.

According to Rewiring Australia, you could save up to $4,958 on running costs per year by going all electric. This includes switching to rooftop solar, split system heating and cooling, a hot water heat pump system, induction cooking and an electric vehicle. That really adds up!

Yes! You can transition to all-electric at your own pace. We've set up this program to make it easy for you to transition in a way that works for you. If you're unsure where to start, get a home energy audit to help you prioritise ways to improve your energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. See Electrify Your Home for more details.

Depending on your system, most good-quality solar systems will pay for themselves in around 4-5 years.

When it comes to solar, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. In order to design the right solar system for your needs, our solar delivery partner Winki Energy, will review your energy usage to provide a solution tailored for your needs now and into the future.

When you install solar panels and a battery, your battery will store any excess solar power that's not being used in your home during the day for use later on. So you can power your home with solar energy day and night, reducing your power bill and emissions even further. Some batteries also come with backup power, meaning you could power some or all of your house during a power outage.

The appropriate tank size depends on the number of people in your household and your hot water usage patterns. For instance, a 160L tank is typically suitable for a small household of up to two people, while a larger family may require a 315L or 400L tank.

Heat pumps are very quiet with the Reclaim heat pump measuring just 37dB and the Apricus heat pump measuring 56dB. For comparison, regular household fridges average around 30-50dB.

Our partner, Too Hot to Handle, will work with you to identify the right size, which will depend on the size of the space you're heating/cooling. 
A range of split system sizes is offered through the program.

Hydronic heating is not included in the program. If you are interested in whole-of-house heating, complete the expression of interest form enquiring about heating and a representative from Too Hot to Handle will be able to assist you.

The R-value is a measurement of insulation and its ability to resist heat flow. R-values range from 1.5 to 7, with higher numbers indicating more effective insulation at increasing thermal efficiency and better insulating your home.

A home energy audit involves a professional assessment of your home's energy use. During the audit, the auditor inspects insulation, windows, doors and HVAC systems. The audit report suggests recommendations to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

Financing options are available for some products through a third-party provider. Please speak with the product delivery partner for further information.

Induction cooktops and their installation are not included in the program. There is a range of online information and advice that can help you transition to induction cooking including this article.