Categories: Smart Energy

The traps laid by the fossil gas industry for uninformed households

Published by

SwitchedOn

Eight years ago, independent energy advisor and researcher, Tim Forcey published some research with the University of Melbourne that showed how people could heat their homes using reverse cycle air conditioners for a third of the cost of burning gas.

The news was surprising at the time, and although the media covered the story, Forcey wanted more people to know how they could save money on their heating bills by getting off gas.

In an interview with the SwitchedOn Australia podcast Forcey says it was his kids who suggested he set up a facebook group, even though he he didn’t know what facebook was.

My Efficient Electric Home (MEEH) started as a place to discuss heating homes with air conditioners, but people wanted to branch out and talk about solar panels, heat pumps for hot water, draught proofing, and insulation – in fact anything to do with energy upgrades and electrification.

To read more of this article, to listen to the podcast, and to read and hear more on electrification in general, please go to our SwitchedOn sub-site.

Anne Delaney is the host of the SwitchedOn podcast and our Electrification Editor. She has had a successful career in journalism (the ABC and SBS), as a documentary film maker, and as an artist and sculptor.

Anne Delaney

Anne Delaney is the host of the SwitchedOn podcast and our Electrification Editor. She has had a successful career in journalism (the ABC and SBS), as a documentary film maker, and as an artist and sculptor.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Deed signed to boost export link from new renewable energy zone to main demand centres

Work to start on sub-station and transmission line upgrades to boost the export capacity of…

14 July 2026

Australia’s biggest vanadium flow battery planned for clean energy precinct at former coal mine

A proposed 108 megawatt (MW), eight hour vanadium flow battery - with lower fire risk…

14 July 2026

Turbines and transmission towers up and concrete foundations poured at rare state-owned wind farm

State-owned wind farm marks a "huge few weeks of milestones" including delivery of transformers, erection…

13 July 2026

One of Australia’s biggest renewables developers seeks to build one of country’s biggest new gas plants

Plans for one of the nation's biggest new gas plants join the queue for federal…

13 July 2026

Regulator bans two solar and battery installers for failing to meet standards and regulations

Regulator says two individuals banned from installing solar PV and home batteries under the SRES…

13 July 2026

Andrew Forrest’s Squadron Energy unveils another big wind project near crowded renewable zone

Squadron's latest wind project located just outside of crowded renewable zone, and will seek to…

13 July 2026