Cooking up change: a recipe for household electrification
Australian National University (ANU) PhD candidate, Sarah Boddington, held a webinar earlier this year about the research she has been conducting. She is examining the dynamics around lower carbon practices and climate policy across a range of ages groups, as well as investigating the importance of electrification.
Here’s a brief summary of what Sarah’s research has yielded and what was discussed during the webinar.
“With solar panels coming in and everything, if you have ‘all electric’ in the house it’s better cost-wise definitely.”
Perceived issues of electrification
Potential hassle, risk, and uncertainty about the technology
Disruptive policy, events, or material changes
Preference: people prefer cooking food on a naked flame, belief that food is better when cooked using gas
Unaffordable in the short term even with schemes
Why electrification matters
Cleaner, safer, and cheaper to run
Less pollution and cleaner air
Backed by policy
Save money in the long term
Gas stovetop © Unsplash
Best timing for switching stoves
When you need to renovate your home
When you install a solar panel and want to make the most of it
When your friends and family are already cooking with induction, it’s easier to give it a go since they’ve done the test run for you
Sarah’s recommendations
Build familiarity of induction cooktops by broadcasting the benefits more widely through demonstrations and hands-on trials
Create bundle deals and discounts that link solar installations with induction cooktops
Increase the salience of the gas phase-out in 2045
Change the discourse. Beyond climate, induction should also be highlighted as beneficial for lower energy costs, safety, and cleanliness for greater appeal
Support those who are trusted within communities
Craft tailored programs for low-income families and individuals
Program models that cover interaction, ease of use, and costs
Watch the full webinar on our YouTube:
Sarah Boddington speaks about electrification at home, including its importance, barriers, and recommended steps.
About Sarah Boddington
Sarah is researching how lower carbon practices and broad support for climate policy emerge. She has over 15 years of experience in international development and humanitarian policy, including roles with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and fieldwork and Asia. Sarah also co-founded ANU’s ‘Society and Climate Change’ seminar series and is a 2023 Planetary Health Equity Future Leader.
This article was produced using resources and information from Sarah Boddington’s webinar.