Last Friday, we hosted a packed webinar on one of the most challenging aspects of the clean energy transition: electrifying apartment buildings. The session brought together industry experts and passionate advocates to tackle the unique hurdles facing multi-unit properties in moving away from gas.
We were joined by two outstanding speakers who shared real-world expertise and practical solutions. Brent Clark, CEO of WattBlock, provided deep insights into the technical and financial aspects of apartment electrification, while Trent Jones from All Electric Homes walked us through his hands-on experience with current projects, including the ambitious transition of 63 Carlton apartments off gas.
The conversation was rich with practical advice and we received so many thoughtful questions that we ran out of time to address them all during the live session.
We didn’t have time to answer all the questions, so we collated them and asked Brent to help answer them.
For more resources on this topic, there’s a lot of helpful information on the Wattblock website and Youtube channel. You can also find the link to Brent’s presentation here, and details about Trent’s current project, transitioning 63 Carlton apartments off gas, here.
Q: Is there any data on the increase in the value of an apartment block if it has solar, batteries or electric appliances?
Yes! On average, apartments can get up to 12% property valuation uplift if they get solar, EV charging and double-glazed windows, averaging +$75,000 per unit. Read more in this report on how energy efficient homes are shaping the property market.
Q: Is the NSW government opening up the solar for apartment residents program to buildings with over 55 lots?
There is no indication the NSW government will open the Solar rebate to buildings over 55 lots.
Q: For apartments with individual hot water systems( like instantaneous gas) is there any heat pump solution on the horizon?
If you have instantaneous gas for your apartment, the only upgrade path is to instant electric. It works for one person with single phase but a 3 bedroom apartment would need three phase electricity and most apartments only have single phase. The latest data from Rewiring Australia also shows instant electric isn’t a good economic option.
Q: Can you please explain what is meant by "through levies" when referring to hot water heating in apartments?
‘Through levies’ means each apartment pays an average contribution per apartment for their hot water rather than a user-pays model measured through individual hot water meters.
Q: Have you seen any solutions for outdoor carparks or old buildings that do not have any power outlets?
You can run electricity outside but it might require digging a trench. If you need a simple, clean outlet, a pop-up retractable power outlet which is IP67 rated for outdoor use can work for an outdoor carpark.
Q: Are there any insurance hurdles or upgrades to fire management systems required when installing new infrastructure?
Yes. Expect insurers to increase the premium. Expect to have an annual chargepoint/rcd check at cost to the EV owner by a qualified electrician. Some insurers have extra conditions, such as no more than four EVs are allowed to charge on each floor of a basement carpark. NSW Fire and Rescue has a set of guidelines but these are not regulations (for example, a master isolation switch on all EV charging for a first responder.)
Q: Some strata landlords are resisting EV charging on the basis of insurance and risk. Is there a generic solution to supply Insurers/landlords with sufficient information?
To date, very few fires have started in Australia involving an EV. There is a good report by the Insurance Council of Australia on this topic, and you may want to check out EV Fire Safe. By-laws preventing the installation of EV chargers need to be banned as of 1 July, 2025.
Q: Have you observed any issues with apartment owners being charged fees to put forward a special resolution? Has that been a barrier?
Yes. In NSW the vote is via a special type of resolution called a sustainability infrastructure motion. Unless there is a lawyer/accountant on the strata committee, or a highly skilled strata manager, this may cost extra for the strata scheme to hire a strata lawyer to draft the motions (and by-law if required). There is also a lodgement fee with land titles if a new by-law is added.
Q: What can local government do to support renters in strata buildings who want to access electrification upgrades?
Provide information on what can be done inside apartments. For example, here is a presentation on how to save energy in your own apartment.
Q: Where can we establish strata status of residential estates on leases?
To establish strata status of residential estates on leases, speak with a strata lawyer.
Q: What’s a power purchase agreement? Are there any financial systems that can share solar PV generation rather than using a solar gateway product?
A power purchase agreement is an agreement where an energy utility, business or government body will buy electricity from a generator (for example, a solar or wind farm) at an agreed price over a fixed term, usually 10 years. They aren’t usually available to individual customers.
What is more often available to strata or apartment residents is known as an ‘Embedded network’. That’s where everyone in a block agrees to buy electricity, water and even internet exclusively from one retailer. The benefit is that the upfront cost of solar can be included in the plan - sort of like a phone plan where you get the phone for free but pay for it over the course of the plan. But beware, customers signed up to an embedded hot water network do not fall under consumer protection, and this loophole has been abused by the providers. Recent law changes in NSW have tried to address this. There are some out there with a better reputation, like Energy Locals, Active Utilities, Energy On but always check the terms before signing up to anything, especially if buying an apartment off the plan.
There are some other ideas emerging on the market such as peer to peer energy trading. For example, one energy retailer called Localvolts allows people with solar and batteries to sell energy to others that want to buy that energy from the same retailer.
Rewiring Australia is a non-profit, independent, non-partisan organisation dedicated to representing the people, households and communities in the energy system. We empirically demonstrate and communicate the cost savings, emissions reductions, and energy system benefits of electrification.
Rewiring Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live, meet and work and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Rewiring Australia is a member of Climate Action Network Australia.
Contact us: electrify@rewiringaustralia.org
