Tradies: The Heroes of Our Homes

Article first published on Illawarra Flame, September 2024 edition

Photos: AG Solar

When we think of professionals acting on climate change, we may think of scientists or policymakers. But it is our local plumbers, electricians and air conditioner installers who are some of the true heroes of the energy transition. They’re the ones helping thousands of Australians trying to navigate the complexity of transitioning away from polluting gas and electrifying their homes and cars. So this is a shout out to our local tradies.

As someone who has personally tried to retrofit my home, it has been overwhelming thinking about the various products on offer, warranties, government rebates and financial options available, and therefore engaging supportive and knowledgeable local tradespeople has been crucial.

I’ve really appreciated a local solar electrician who patiently explained the importance of considering future electricity consumption, such as an electric vehicle, and who helped me time my hot water system to maximise my daytime solar production. This simple act reduced our energy bills by about 35% considering our hot water system is such a significant energy user in my household of five.

At Electrify 2515, we often hear stories of plumbers who have supported householders wanting to replace their gas hot water system but may be confused by the range of electric hot water systems on offer or how to access the NSW Government Rebate. Locals have been impressed with the installers who take the time to explain that despite the added upfront cost, an electric heat pump uses around three-quarters of the energy of a standard gas system and can recommend the brands that have decent warranties, good refrigerants and controllability.

Air conditioning (HVAC) technicians are also helping homes improve their energy efficiency and comfortability by suggesting and installing high-efficiency reverse cycle air conditioners, and often also identifying areas of heat loss, proposing improvements that lead to significant energy savings.

But the value of tradespeople extends beyond their technical expertise. As members of the local community, they possess a deep understanding of our regional climate and energy needs and can recommend solutions tailored to our specific area or individual home requirements. They are important educators, explaining the benefits and operation of new technologies to homeowners, and enabling householders to take practical action to reduce household emissions and energy bills.

As we progress towards an electric future, the importance of skilled tradespeople cannot be overstated. Retrofitting thousands of homes from gas powered to electric appliances will also  create hundreds of more local jobs and support our local economy. We’d love to see these areas grow in our local region, and more young people, women and career changers consider these important roles in helping create a more sustainable future.

So please join us as we say a collective thanks to our local tradespeople who are on the frontline of the home energy transition. Thank you for supporting our community!

Get In Touch

Electrify 2515 are always on the lookout for quality local tradies who are on board with helping homes electrify. Get in touch if that sounds like you