Stephanie’s all electric apartment in Fitzroy North
After many years working in the early childhood education sector, Stephanie is now retired and reaping the rewards of working step by step to improve her compact Fitzroy North apartment, with one eye on efficiency and the other on sustainability. Electrify Yarra sat down with Stephanie to hear her story.
Tell us about your electrification journey.
When I first moved in as a renter in 2001, I saw there was no gas supply at all in the block of apartments, so it was already all electric, but not very efficient. There was a small conventional electric space heater on one wall of the living room, an older electric cooktop with heating elements, no cooling and an ancient electrical switchboard.
After buying the apartment in 2007, I set to work making small but important changes. First, I replaced the old electrical switchboard, which was becoming unsafe - with the old fashioned wire fuses.
Second, when I was unwell for a while during a very hot summer, I installed a split system heater and air conditioner. I find I don’t really use it much, just an occasional blast on the hottest days of summer, and just every now and then for heating in winter.
Next, while making other improvements, I replaced the old oven and cooktop with an integrated electric oven and induction cooktop. That cooktop is unbelievably fast! After a few ‘well done’ meals, I quickly got the hang of it - it’s faster than a kettle to boil water! Luckily almost all of my pots and pans work well with the induction cooktop. Around the same time I removed the old wall heater.
I added a ceiling fan in my bedroom to help on the hottest days of summer.
As well as these changes, I’ve added a very small evaporative cooler which I can move around the apartment. I have also recently invested in aluminium coverings for my east facing windows to use during summer.
What have you learned along the way?
Even though these appliances are efficient, it’s important not to use them too much - I’m careful with the heating - it’s not hard to add some layers of clothes in the winter - and the cooling.
I’ve seen how, even in a fairly small apartment, you can heat or cool separate zones, just with the appliances I have and some basic draft proofing.
What’s on your electrification wish list?
Solar is definitely on my list. I have had one quote, and I’m looking at SolarVic’s Solar for Apartments program. Solar would be great for both reducing costs and sustainability.
When I first moved here I was hoping I could manage without a car, but I found I needed it for work. It runs well, so I’m not in a hurry to change it. I considered an electric car, but I can’t justify it at the moment. We have great public transport here so I might be able to use just that and a car share service.
I’ve thought about a home battery but I don’t think the battery technology is quite there yet and it’s hard to justify the cost. Maybe in the future.
