Electrify your home

In Australia we have access to the cheapest home energy in the world - our rooftop solar. Over its lifetime rooftop solar costs about 3 cents per kWh, cheaper than any other source of home energy.

Rooftop solar pays for itself in 5-7 years, greatly reducing your energy bill and allowing your home and electric appliances to run on renewable energy.

Tip: If you have rooftop solar, try ‘solar soaking’. This is when you set your appliances to run during the day when you are generating the most electricity. 

Can't put solar on your roof? Choose a green power provider to give you renewable energy. GreenPower is an Australian Government scheme.  If you chose it, your electricity company buys an equivalent amount of electricity from accredited renewable source like wind and solar farms.

The Green Electricity Guide by Greenpeace ranks Australia’s electricity companies on how clean and green they are. You can use this guide to choose an energy provider that is committed to renewable energy and ending fossil fuel use.   

Switch to a reverse cycle air conditioner to heat and cool your home. In winter, reverse cycle air con is 3-4 times more efficient than standard gas or electric heater.

Chek out expert independent at advice from Renew in their guide to electric heat pump and hydronic heating.

Check the Go Electric Action Plan for available rebates. 

A Heat pump water heater is 3-5 times more efficient than an electric or gas hot water heater.

Check out expert independent advice from Renew in their guide to heat pump hot water systems.

Check the Go Electric Action Plan for available rebates.  

Induction stovetops heat food rapidly while leaving the surrounding surfaces cool to touch. Breathing the air in your home is healthier for everyone without harmful emissions from a gas stove. Be aware that the correct cabling is required for an induction stove. Modern standard electric stovetops are the next best choice, if you cannot install induction.

Compare induction cooktop brands and prices from CHOICE or check out expert independent advice via Renew's Guide to Induction Cooktops to plan your switch to efficient, gas-free cooking.

Portable induction cooktops are available at Lake Mac Libraries for loan if you would like to have a try. 

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are better for our health and the environment

EVs have no tailpipe emissions which means they don't release toxic fumes into our communities which have significant negative impacts on our lungs and overall health. It’s also an improvement for our environment.

When we look at the full lifecycle emissions of different types of cars, which includes the emissions to manufacture the vehicle, run it and the end-of-life recycling and disposal, on average EVs reduce emissions by around 40-50 per cent compared to similar petrol/diesel models, and around 25 per cent compared to hybrid vehicles. Emission savings can be further increased when EVs are primarily charged using renewable energy. 

Each year in Lake Mac, cars and motorbikes generate about 332,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Electric vehicles are part of the city’s shift to a low-carbon future. If renewable energy is used to recharge the battery, electric vehicles have zero on-road emissions. 

Over the past 12 months, the number of electric vehicles registered across the Lake Macquarie LGA had increased by more than 140 per cent - with more than 800 electric vehicles registered. 

E-bikes are a fun, cheaper and healthier alternative to a car. 

A home battery stores excess energy from your rooftop solar so you can power your home using this energy at night or on cloudy days. 

Use the NSW Government’s Home Solar Battery Guide.

Check the Go Electric Action Plan for available rebates.  

Council is offering a limited amount of heavily subsidised Scorecard assessments for Lake Mac homeowners to help locals create comfortable and energy efficient homes. Successful applicants will be eligible for a personalised Scorecard assessment for only $50 (assessments are normally valued at $500-$600 depending on the size of home). Competition runs from Monday 16 September until Friday 27 September.

Want to know more about your homes energy usage? You can rent one of our Home Energy Audit Toolkits from our Library of things. The kit includes a Powermate Lite to help you understand how much appliances are costing you a year, a thermal camera that allows you to see draughts, if insulation has moved in your ceiling and even if your fridge is leaking, plus an energy thermometer and so much more.

If you’ve ever thought about trying induction cooking but you’re not sure if it’s for you, you can now rent a portable induction cooktop from our Library of things.  Induction cooking is 3 times more energy efficient than gas cooking, faster to heat up, easier to clean, and is environmentally friendly.