Getting off gas means replacing your gas cooktop, hot water system and heating with electric alternatives. If your home is already mostly electric, it may cost only a few hundred dollars to disconnect the gas. A full switch usually costs around $8,000 to $15,000, but can exceed $20,000 if major electrical work is needed.
The upfront cost can be significant, but the economics look very different depending on what you replace and when. Heating and hot water can deliver much faster payback than cooking, especially when you replace an old gas appliance at the end of its life rather than removing working equipment early.
Going all-electric can also reduce ongoing energy bills by using more efficient appliances and, once your last gas appliance is gone, removing the gas supply charge altogether.
This guide breaks down the cost and indicative payback of each stage, along with electrical upgrades, gas disconnection costs and the main ways to reduce the upfront expense.
At a Glance
- The three big swaps: getting off gas usually means switching to an induction cooktop, reverse-cycle air conditioning for heating, and a heat-pump hot water system.
- Payback varies by appliance: replacing gas heating with reverse-cycle air conditioning can pay back in around 2.5 years, while a heat-pump hot water system may take around 4 to 7 years. Induction usually has a much longer payback on cooking costs alone.
- The final saving comes from disconnecting gas: once your last gas appliance is gone, you can close the gas account and stop paying the daily supply charge, typically saving another few hundred dollars a year.
- You do not have to do it all at once: replacing gas appliances as they reach the end of their life usually gives a much better payback than removing working appliances early, and rebates can reduce the upfront cost further.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Off Gas?
The total cost depends on which gas appliances you need to replace and whether your home needs any electrical upgrades.
The three main changes are:
- Gas cooktop to induction
- Gas hot water to a heat pump
- Gas heating to reverse-cycle air conditioning
These upgrades do not all have the same payback. Heating generally delivers the fastest return, while induction saves relatively little on cooking costs alone. The economics are usually strongest when you replace a gas appliance as it reaches the end of its life rather than removing working equipment early.
You may also need to budget for new electrical circuits, a switchboard upgrade, and the final cost of disconnecting or permanently abolishing your gas connection.
| Upgrade | Electric replacement | Typical cost | Indicative payback / saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas cooktop | Induction cooktop | $1,650 to $4,700 estimated installed cost | Cooking savings alone are relatively small, around $14 to $111 a year. The bigger benefit can come if this is your last gas appliance and allows you to close the gas account. |
| Gas hot water | Heat pump hot water | $4,527 national average installed | Around 4 to 7 years in indicative examples after available rebates, depending on energy prices, household use and solar |
| Gas heating | Reverse-cycle air conditioning | Around $1,500 for one split system to $10,000+ for whole-home ducted | A Renew analysis reported by the ABC found an example payback of around 2.5 years for replacing gas ducted heating with reverse-cycle air conditioning |
| Electrical upgrade | Switchboard upgrade, if required | $1,500 to $4,000 estimated | An enabling cost rather than an energy-saving upgrade on its own |
| Gas connection | Permanent gas abolishment | Around $270 to $2,000, varies widely by state | Once the gas account is closed, avoiding the daily supply charge can save roughly $300 to $400 a year |
How Much Does It Cost to Switch From Gas to Induction?
Replacing a gas cooktop with induction typically costs around $1,650 to $4,700. A typical cost breakdown is shown below.
- Induction cooktop: $800 to $3,000
- Dedicated electrical circuit: $600 to $1,200
- Gas line capping: $250 to $500
Most full-size induction cooktops need a dedicated electrical circuit. If your switchboard needs upgrading or the new cooktop does not fit your existing benchtop, the total cost can be higher.
Induction is much more efficient than gas cooking, but the dollar saving from cooking alone is relatively small. CHOICE estimates the annual saving at roughly $14 to $111, depending on where you live. On cooking costs alone, that means the payback can be quite long.
The financial case is stronger if the cooktop is your last remaining gas appliance. Once it is gone, you may be able to close your gas account and avoid the daily supply charge, which can save roughly another $300 to $400 a year.
If your gas cooktop is already due for replacement, it also makes more sense to compare the extra cost of choosing induction with the cost of buying another gas cooktop, rather than treating the full induction installation cost as the investment.
For meter-side fees and the process, see our guide to disconnecting or abolishing gas.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Gas Heating With Reverse-Cycle Air Conditioning?
Reverse-cycle air conditioners move heat rather than generating it directly, making them an efficient option for heating while also providing cooling in summer.
Replacing gas heating with reverse-cycle air conditioning can cost from around $1,500 for a single split system to more than $10,000 for whole-home ducted air conditioning.
- Single split system: from around $1,500
- Multiple split systems: varies by the number and size of units
- Whole-home ducted system: $10,000+
Heating can also be one of the fastest stages of getting off gas to pay back. A 2023 Renew analysis reported by the ABC compared annual running costs of about $1,445 for gas ducted heating with about $477 for reverse-cycle air conditioning, a saving of around $968 a year. Against an installation cost of about $2,375 in that example, the payback was roughly 2.5 years.
The actual payback will depend on your climate, energy prices, how much heating you use and the system you install. It also looks much better when you are replacing a gas heater that already needs replacing rather than removing a working system early.
You do not necessarily need to replace gas ducted heating with another whole-home system. Installing reverse-cycle split systems only in the rooms you use most can reduce the upfront cost further.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Gas Hot Water With a Heat Pump?
Heat pump hot water systems draw heat from the surrounding air to heat your water, using much less energy than gas or conventional electric hot water.
According to the Solar Choice Heat Pump Price Index, average installed prices including federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) are:
- National average: around $4,527
- Queensland: around $4,191
- Victoria: around $4,405
- NSW: around $4,815
Prices vary depending on the system size, brand, location and installation requirements. State rebates can reduce the upfront cost further in some areas.
The running-cost savings can also be significant. Indicative estimates put a heat pump at around $200 to $350 a year on grid electricity, compared with roughly $600 to $900 a year for gas hot water. That is a saving of around $400 to $700 a year, giving an indicative payback of about 4 to 7 years, depending on the system cost, energy prices, household usage and available rebates.
If you have solar, running the heat pump during the day can reduce the cost further. As with the other stages of electrification, the payback is usually strongest when you replace a gas hot water system that is already due for replacement rather than removing a working system early.
See the Solar Choice Heat Pump Hot Water Price Index for current installed prices.
How Much Can You Save Going All-Electric?
For many households, the savings build up with each gas appliance you replace. Heating and hot water generally offer the biggest reductions in running costs, while the final step of removing your last gas appliance allows you to close the gas account and stop paying the fixed supply charge.
Typical savings can come from:
- Heating: a Renew analysis found reverse-cycle air conditioning could save around $968 a year compared with gas ducted heating in one example.
- Hot water: indicative estimates suggest replacing gas hot water with a heat pump can save around $400 to $700 a year.
- Cooking: induction is more efficient than gas, but the direct saving is relatively small at around $14 to $111 a year.
- Removing the gas supply charge: once your last gas appliance is gone and the gas account is closed, avoiding the daily supply charge can save roughly another $300 to $400 a year.
The exact savings depend heavily on where you live and how much energy you use. Climate Council modelling estimated that households switching gas cooking, hot water and heating to electricity could save around $800 to $1,900 a year:
| City | Estimated annual saving |
|---|---|
| Hobart | $1,899 |
| Canberra | $1,876 |
| Adelaide | $1,457 |
| Brisbane | $1,424 |
| Melbourne | $1,207 |
| Sydney | $924 |
| Perth | $803 |
These figures are estimates rather than guaranteed savings. Your result will depend on your climate, energy use, electricity and gas tariffs, the appliances being replaced and whether you have solar.
How Long Does Going All-Electric Take to Pay Back?
There is no single payback period for getting off gas because each upgrade has different costs and savings. As the sections above show, replacing gas heating can pay back relatively quickly, heat pump hot water may take several years, while induction generally saves much less on cooking costs alone.
The timing of the replacement also matters. If you remove three working gas appliances at once, you are paying the full cost of electrification upfront, which can make the overall payback look quite long.
For most households, a better comparison is made when each gas appliance reaches the end of its life. At that point, you need to buy a replacement anyway, so the relevant cost is the difference between replacing it with another gas appliance and choosing the electric alternative.
This is why getting off gas gradually can make more financial sense than treating electrification as one large $8,000 to $15,000 investment that needs to pay itself back all at once.
Rebates and Finance for Home Electrification
Government rebates and incentives can reduce the upfront cost of some home electrification upgrades. What is available depends on where you live and can change over time.
Federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) can reduce the cost of eligible heat pump hot water systems and solar, while some states and territories offer additional rebates. See our Solar Choice rebates guide for current options.
Finance can also help spread the upfront cost. This article is part of a consumer education program supported by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation’s Household Energy Upgrades Fund, which supports discounted finance for eligible upgrades through participating lenders.
Interest rates, fees and loan terms still affect the total cost, so compare the options carefully. See our financing home energy upgrades guide for more detail.
What Order Should You Electrify Your Home?
You do not need to electrify your whole home at once. A little planning can help you avoid unnecessary costs and make each upgrade count.
- Improve energy efficiency first. Draught sealing, insulation and window coverings can reduce how much heating and cooling your home needs.
- Plan your upgrades. Check which gas appliances are nearing the end of their life and have your switchboard and meter assessed before adding larger electrical loads.
- Replace gas appliances as they wear out. Switching to an electric alternative when an appliance already needs replacing can make the upfront cost easier to justify.
- Disconnect gas once the last appliance is gone. This removes the ongoing gas supply charge.
- Add or expand solar. More electric appliances generally mean more electricity use, so rooftop solar can help offset some of that extra demand.
- Consider a battery and EV charger if they suit your household. These can be added later depending on your solar generation, electricity use and transport needs.
Solar can be installed earlier in the process, so this is a guide rather than a strict order. The main thing is to plan ahead and avoid making rushed decisions when a gas appliance fails.
Can You Electrify an Apartment or Rental?
Yes, although it can be more complicated than electrifying a standalone home.
In an apartment, upgrades such as induction cooking and electric hot water may be possible if the building’s electrical system can support them and there is enough space for the equipment. New wiring or external equipment may also need strata approval. Getting off gas completely can be more difficult if the building shares gas infrastructure.
Renters generally need the property owner to approve major appliance changes. One option is to ask for an electric replacement when an existing gas appliance needs replacing. A portable induction cooktop can also be a simple way to use less gas without making permanent changes.
What Comes Next After Getting Off Gas?
Once more of your home runs on electricity, you may also want to consider solar, a home battery or EV charging. These are separate from getting off gas, but they can reduce your household’s electricity and transport costs further.
How Much Will Rooftop Solar Cost Me?
Based on the Solar Choice Solar Price Index, average installed prices are around:
- 5kW system: $5,520
- 6kW system: $6,330
- 10kW system: $9,720
These prices include installation, GST and the federal Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) discount. The final cost will vary depending on your location, system size, equipment and installation requirements.
See the Solar Choice Solar Power System Price Index for current installed solar prices.
How Much Will a Home Battery Cost Me?
Based on the Solar Choice Battery Price Index, average installed prices are around:
- 10kWh battery: $9,084 battery only, or $10,784 with an inverter
- 13kWh battery: $11,029 battery only, or $13,109 with an inverter
The total cost depends mainly on the battery size and whether an inverter is included. Larger batteries generally cost less per usable kWh, although the upfront price is higher.
See the Solar Choice Battery Price Index for current installed battery prices.
How Much Does It Cost to Add Solar, a Battery and an EV Charger?
If you choose to add solar, a home battery and an EV charger as part of your wider home electrification plans, the total investment can be significantly higher.
Using current Solar Choice pricing data as an example:
| Upgrade | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Getting off gas | Around $8,000 to $15,000 |
| 6kW solar system | Around $6,330 |
| 10kWh battery + inverter | Around $10,784 |
| Home EV charger | Around $2,237 |
| Indicative total | Around $27,000 to $34,000 |
This is an example rather than a recommended package. The upgrades that make sense will depend on your home, energy use, budget and whether you drive an EV.
How Much Can a Fully Electrified Household Save?
Treasury modelling estimates that a household combining electric appliances with solar, a battery and an EV could save around $4,300 a year in combined household energy and transport costs. The modelling also accounts for upfront and financing costs.
Your actual savings will depend on factors such as your electricity use, solar generation, tariffs, driving habits and how much of your energy you can supply from home.
Is Full Home Electrification Worth It?
For many households, full electrification can reduce ongoing energy costs, but the value depends on what you need to replace and how much the upgrades cost.
The financial case is usually strongest when you avoid replacing working appliances early, take advantage of available rebates, and choose upgrades that suit your household’s energy use. If significant electrical work is required, the upfront cost can be much higher and the savings may take longer to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to replace all my gas appliances at once?
No. You can replace gas appliances progressively as they reach the end of their life. This can make the upfront cost easier to manage because you would already need to pay for a replacement appliance.Do I need a switchboard upgrade to get off gas?
Not always. It depends on your existing switchboard and the extra electrical loads you are adding. A qualified installer or electrician can confirm whether your home can handle induction cooking, heat pump hot water, reverse-cycle air conditioning and any later solar, battery or EV charging upgrades.When should I disconnect the gas?
Disconnect the gas once your final gas appliance has been removed and the electric replacement is working. This is when you can remove the gas connection and stop paying the fixed gas supply charge.Do I need solar or a battery to get off gas?
No. Neither solar nor a battery is required to get off gas, but they can further reduce your reliance on grid electricity. A 6kW solar system costs around $6,330 on average nationally, while a 10kWh home battery costs around $10,784 installed with an inverter.How much does it cost to disconnect gas?
There are usually two charges: a plumbing fee of roughly $250 to $500 for a licensed gasfitter to cap the gas pipes inside your home, and a utility fee paid to your gas distributor, usually billed through your retailer. A temporary disconnection is typically about $70 to $185, while a permanent abolishment costs around $270 to $2,000 depending on your state and network. In NSW and Victoria the permanent charge drops to around $250 or less from 1 July 2026.
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