IWCE Customer Case Study - Lucie
22 September 2027
By IWCE volunteer Ben Goh and Inner West resident Lucie
1. Goal and Challenge
“I have wanted to have solar panels installed since I moved in 15 years ago,” Lucie says. However, the shape and size of her roof, together with the lower efficiency of the solar technology available then, "meant that I would not be able to install enough panels to make it economically viable," she continued.
Recently, as battery storage for solar installations - supported by government subsidies - became more affordable and available, Lucie renewed her search for a company that could help her achieve her goal of being self-sustainable through solar and battery, and backed by the grid where necessary.
Lucie also started thinking about how solar and battery storage could finally help her switch away from gas appliances. She had already made the choice to no longer use the gas barbecue, gas fireplace or gas heater, and her instant gas water heater was nearing the end of its life.
“I knew I didn't want gas again, but I wasn't sure what the best options were for my home,” she says. Fortuitously, Lucie heard about the Inner West Community Energy (IWCE) group.
2. The Approach
Following some discussions to ensure they were a good match, IWCE helped Lucie understand the possible solar solutions and connected her with their trusted installer partner who visited the home to provide a quote.
IWCE, she says, “reviewed the quote to ensure that it fitted with what I wanted and needed. I was very grateful for this service, as I only understood the most basic parts of the very detailed quotation.” This review gave Lucie confidence to proceed.
IWCE then worked through the gas replacement options and helped Lucie develop a plan and sequence for her home. The next priority following the installation of the solar panels and battery, was replacing the ageing gas water heater with an electric hot water heat pump. IWCE explained the options and connected Lucie with its specialist installer to assess her preferred location.
Lucie with her new home battery.
And here’s Lucie with the new hot water heat pump, which replaced her old instant gas water heater.
Next came the replacement of the gas cooktop with an induction one, which Lucie was prepared for, having bought a number of induction-ready cookware items already. “I was firm in not wanting the replacement of my cooktop to turn into a kitchen renovation,” she explains, "so I had to find an induction cooktop that would fit the same cut-out." IWCE clarified the electrical and benchtop requirements and helped Lucie choose the most appropriate cooktop.
The barbecue and gas fireplace could wait, with gas abolishment as the final step. This gave Lucie a clear path to efficiently electrify her home.
3. The Outcome
Lucie has now installed solar and battery, replaced her ageing gas water heater with a heat pump and her gas cooktop with induction. The reverse-cycle air conditioning already provides heating and cooling.
While her unused gas fireplace and gas BBQ remain, she has finally disconnected her gas supply! With IWCE's guidance, what started as a goal to be self-sustainable in energy and to get rid of gas has now become reality.