why the shift away from gas and towards electrification is accelerating.
As heatwaves become more frequent and more intense, the question of how we keep our homes safe, affordable and liveable is no longer theoretical. In Geelong, where recent temperatures stopped short of the extreme highs seen elsewhere in Victoria, the risks were still clear – especially for older residents and people with health vulnerabilities.
Lessons from Geelong installer Maurie Britt
In a recent interview on community radio station 94.7 The Pulse, long-time Geelong installer Maurie Britt, director of The Heat Shop, spoke candidly with radio host Rob Cameron about what is changing in Australian homes – and why the shift away from gas and towards electrification is accelerating.
From cooling add-on to essential protection
Air conditioning was once considered a luxury. Today, Britt argues, it has become a core safety measure. Modern reverse-cycle systems are no longer just about cooling – they are now one of the most efficient ways to heat homes as well.
“What people sometimes forget,” he explained, “is that heating is now the bigger issue. Cooling is almost the bonus.”
This is one reason governments are actively encouraging households to remove old gas heaters and replace them with electric reverse-cycle systems. Rebates vary depending on what is being replaced, but the direction of travel is clear: gas is being phased out, and electricity – increasingly powered by renewables – is taking its place.
Rebates, reality and changing goalposts
The transition is not without frustration. Rebates and rules change frequently, creating confusion for households planning upgrades months in advance. Britt noted that installers often have to explain to customers why a quote has shifted – not because the technology changed, but because policy settings did.
Despite this, uptake has been strong. Many households are removing ducted gas heaters and installing ducted reverse-cycle systems instead, supported by Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs).
The broader logic remains compelling: high-efficiency electric systems cost less to run, reduce exposure to volatile gas prices, and align with long-term climate targets.
Solar pays back faster than most people expect
One of the strongest messages from the interview concerned rooftop solar. According to Britt, most households recover the cost of solar panels within two to three years. Batteries take longer – often closer to double that – but are becoming increasingly viable as prices fall and technology improves.
Seven years ago, Tesla dominated the battery market. Today, there are many alternatives offering solid performance at lower cost. For households thinking long-term – especially those planning to own an electric vehicle – batteries are becoming part of a broader home energy system rather than a standalone add-on.
Rethinking “north-facing only” solar
A particularly practical insight from the conversation challenged a long-standing assumption: that solar panels must face due north to be worthwhile.
Britt now often recommends east- and west-facing panels as well. The reason is simple. Households use electricity in the morning and evenin, precisely when east- and west-facing panels perform best.
“With heatwaves, you’re still running air conditioning at seven o’clock at night,” he said. “That’s when you actually need the power.”
Modern systems also cope far better with partial shading than older setups. Micro-inverters and improved panel design mean that a shadow over one panel no longer knocks out the entire system.
Planning for the future
What emerged most strongly from the interview with Britt was the importance of whole-of-home thinking. Heating, cooling, solar, batteries and electric vehicles are no longer separate decisions. They form a connected system.
A properly planned home can:
- reduce energy bills year by year
- improve resilience during heatwaves
- increase property value
- lower emissions over decades, not just seasons
Solar systems are typically designed to last 25 years or more. Well-installed air conditioning systems can last just as long. As Britt put it, these are long-term investments in safety and stability.
Climate adaptation, one house at a time
As Australia continues to warm, the transition to efficient, all-electric homes is becoming a form of climate adaptation. It reduces exposure to heat stress, cuts running costs, and aligns household decisions with the broader shift to renewable energy.
The technology already exists. The challenge now is helping households navigate the complexity and make choices that will still make sense 10 or 20 years from now.
Maurie Britt is an Australian electrician, energy installer and director of The Heat Shop, a Geelong-based specialist in residential heating, cooling, solar and energy technologies. He has more than 40 years of trade experience as an electrician and heating and air conditioning intaller.
You can find more interviews from Rob Cameron’s Front Page on 94.7 The Pulse on pod.co/rcfp
ABOUT THE HEAT SHOP
The Heat Shop is a Geelong business supplying, installing and servicing reverse-cycle air conditioning, hydronic heating, solar PV systems and home battery storage.
What they do:
• Install efficient reverse-cycle air conditioning for both cooling and heating
• Design and install rooftop solar PV systems
• Advise on and install home battery storage
• Help households plan electrification upgrades
• Guide customers through government rebates and energy efficiency schemes
Key insights from the interview:
• Electrification – moving from gas to electric heat pumps and systems – is accelerating and becoming increasingly cost-effective
• Rooftop solar panels often pay for themselves within two to three years; batteries take longer but are becoming more viable as prices fall
• East- and west-facing solar panels can deliver strong real-world value by matching household energy use in mornings and evenings
• Modern solar systems are far less affected by partial shading than older technologies
Why it matters for climate safety:
• Efficient electric heating and cooling reduces emissions and long-term energy costs
• Solar-powered homes are more resilient during heatwaves
• Whole-of-home energy planning supports adaptation to rising temperatures and a changing energy system
• Household electrification is a practical, immediate form of climate action and climate risk reduction