Great Aussie BBQ going green
25 January 2024
CLINGING to a set of tongs while relaxing in the backyard is an Australia Day tradition for many. Celebrating life's milestones or just the end of the working week over a snag, a chop or kebabs with family and friends is as Aussie as it gets.
So as attention turns to the Australia Day long weekend, the Hottest 100 and BBQing, it is worth noting that the gas that fires up some 6 million outdoor grills is transitioning to be net zero. Traditional LPG will start to be replaced with net zero bioLPG from as soon as 2025-26.
"The change will not only be green but cost effective as family BBQs, cylinders and pipes require no changes. The new gas is a simple one-for-one replacement. BioLPG is the exact same molecule as regular LPG, just derived from renewable sources like wastes or as a by-product of sustainable aviation fuel production," Brett Heffernan, CEO of Gas Energy Australia, explained.
"The new green gas will be a win-win for homeowners and businesses across the country. Over 2 million Aussie families today rely on LPG for everyday indoor cooking, hot water and heating. The benefits of using LPG and bioLPG are many.
"If you already have LPG in your home there is no need to make the expensive switch to electricity. Net zero bioLPG will be available over the same transition time frame as net zero electricity via the grid, but without the hefty price tag.
"Even the Victorian Government has confirmed that its 2024 ban on new gas connections in residential and government buildings does not apply to LPG. These imposts and extra fees only apply to natural gas.
"If you're building a new home, electrification is not the only option to be net zero. With LPG appliances half the price of electrical appliances and LPG being a reliable and affordable source of home cooking, hot water and heating, you have flexibility if, or when, the electricity grid falters.
"If you have natural gas in the home and are concerned about government plans to cajole you onto electricity, it is easier and cheaper to switch from natural gas to LPG. Making this change typically requires only minor changes by a licensed gasfitter to your existing appliances running to just a few hundred dollars.
"It means people can go on using the gas they know, love and trust, while being net zero and, importantly, saving money.
"Frontier Economics' modelling shows the most efficient CO2 electrical appliances will set families back around $12,000 in appliance and installation costs. But there's an extra hidden cost. Homes running gas appliances typically have phase one electrical wiring. To install all electrical appliances can require a full rewire to phase three wiring, setting many homeowners back tens of thousands of dollars.
"Sticking with LPG, or switching to it, can save families a small fortune, while still achieving net zero over the same time frame as electricity. It also means you can keep on BBQing and be green at the same time."
[ENDS]
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