Ron and Margaret from Gladstone Park are looking forward to having no gas bill at all.
With support from Hume City Council's Hume Home Energy Upgrades program, the retirees have switched to an all-electric home—saving money and reducing their reliance on gas.
Their journey began with solar panels through Council's earlier Hume Solar Roll-Out. Since then, they've:
- Upgraded to a split system air-conditioner
- Replaced their 20-year-old gas hot water system with a heat pump
- Started switching to induction cooking
"The fact that Hume Council had done the work to find good, responsible tradespeople was a great help," Ron said. "What really helped was not having to get quotes from unknown trades."
The Hume Home Energy Upgrades program is helping more residents like Ron and Margaret cut energy costs. It offers free advice and quotes on:
- Reverse cycle heating and cooling
- Heat pump hot water systems
- Induction cooktops
- Rooftop solar
- Insulation and draught proofing
Since launching, 327 households have registered, with 89 home upgrades completed—including 35 split systems and 22 solar panel installations.
"In January, our electricity bill was $20 in credit from the solar, but the much bigger savings are what we don't pay in gas bills," Ron said.
They're now preparing to fully disconnect from gas.
"We paid $60 for the gas supply charge over two months when we weren't even using any gas. It all adds up—we're looking forward to having no gas bill at all."
The program is also supporting low-income households, with 50 installations backed by Council rebates so far.
Upgrades completed to date are estimated to reduce carbon emissions by 4,800 tonnes—supporting a cleaner, more sustainable future for Hume.
"Overall, it is a great program," Ron said. "They gave excellent advice, followed up promptly with everything, and the installation was really good."
Free information sessions this March and April:
Join us for free information sessions to discover energy-saving products and how to reduce your bills while improving home comfort.
Information Sessions
- Online (via Zoom): Thursday 20 March, 6.30pm – 8pm
- Thursday 3 April, 10.30am – 11.30am
Valley Park Community Centre
Energy and Water Bill Help Sessions
Wednesday 26 March, 10am – 2pm
Newbury Child and Community Centre
(Ramadan refreshment packs available to take home)Wednesday 30 April, 10am – 2pm
Hume Global Learning Centre – BroadmeadowsWednesday 28 May, 10am – 2pm
Hume Global Learning Centre – Sunbury
Learn more and register www.hume.vic.gov.au/energy
