Power Up and Save: Councils Mulling Gas Bans for New Homes in NSW

Imagine a brand new home that feels not just comfortable, but actively eco-friendly.  This vision could become reality in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, as several councils explore banning gas connections in new builds.  A recent report suggests this move could lead to significant savings for homeowners and businesses, while also benefiting the environment.

The report, commissioned by an environmental organization, compares two scenarios: business as usual (BAU), where new homes and businesses continue using gas, and a "no new gas" (NNG) scenario, where all new construction becomes fully electric starting in July 2024.

The results are promising.  Under the NNG scenario, the average NSW homeowner could save a whopping $608 per year on energy bills over their home's lifetime.  That translates to a cool $7,900 per household over 40 years, with a collective saving of a staggering $5.3 billion for NSW households over the same period.  But the benefits extend beyond homes.  Commercial buildings transitioning to electric power could save a combined $1.3 billion over 40 years.

In the absence of a state-wide policy, several NSW councils are taking matters into their own hands