It’s rapidly becoming the energy source of choice for Australian homeowners. And for those who choose to call Lilywood Landings home, natural gas will represent a new standard of modern living.
Currently, 6.5 million Australian homes enjoy the reliability and convenience of using gas. From controllable cooking to instant hot water, cosy fireplaces and cranking up the barbie – gas does it all.
But what makes it so special?
Natural gas is a popular choice for residential use for many reasons:
1. Cost-effective
When combining both up-front and running costs over the life of an appliance, natural gas is often an excellent choice for cooking and hot water. If appliance efficiency and emissions are a priority, gas boosted solar systems produce nearly half the emissions of heat pumps and have lower running costs.*
2. Comfort and style
The powerful heating properties of gas allow you to warm your home quickly, and gas log fires create a unique ambience and atmosphere that can completely transform a living space.
3. Reliable supply
Enjoy natural gas without the supply and reliability issues associated with electricity. If your home is affected by a blackout, you can still cook a meal and boil water if you have a gas cooktop. Gas offers a reliable supply of hot water with a continuous flow system unlike a traditional tank, which is great for peak hour or larger families.
4. Instant heat
Unlike electric stoves, which may take time to heat up, natural gas burners offer immediate heat, which is particularly advantageous for cooking. Many chefs love to cook with natural gas – and with good reason; large burners give fast and authentic results for stir-frying and deep frying, so you can enjoy delicious flavours much faster.
5. Environmental benefits
Natural gas burns cleaner than other fossil fuels like coal or oil, producing fewer carbon emissions and pollutants. It’s often considered a cleaner alternative for reducing a household’s carbon footprint, given that approximately 74% of grid electricity in Queensland is currently produced using black coal.**
6. Versatility
Natural gas can be used for a variety of household applications, including heating, cooking, hot water, and even powering some appliances like dryers. This versatility makes it a convenient choice for many households. What’s more, a natural gas clothes dryer uses instant heat to get your washing dried faster, cutting your ironing time significantly.
7. A barbecue that never runs out of gas
Connecting natural gas directly to your barbeque, outdoor kitchen, or patio heater, gives a constant fuel supply – no more refilling bottles or running out mid-cook.
9. Safety features
Modern natural gas appliances come with safety features, such as automatic shut-off valves, to reduce the risk of accidents. Properly maintained, natural gas is a safe and reliable energy source.
Seven-star homes
Natural gas can be used to achieve the seven-star energy rating requirement for most new houses and townhouses in Australia.
The new standard came into force on 1 May 2024 to ensure that homes were energy efficient, making them more comfortable to live in, costing less to heat and cool, and generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
The good news is seven-star energy ratings can be achieved by combining solar with natural gas. These ideal bedfellows can effectively and efficiently meet the important environmental and cost-saving standards required in new homes today, so you can keep using the gas cooktops, heaters, hot water and barbecues you love.
A renewable future
Of course, the future includes renewable gas. But how can gas be renewable?
There are two forms of renewable gas: biomethane and green hydrogen.
Renewable (green) hydrogen is produced by separating hydrogen from water in an electrolyser using renewable electricity. Hydrogen doesn’t produce carbon dioxide when it’s burned.
Biomethane is created by capturing and treating gas from by decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural produce and wastewater treatment facilities.
Australian Gas Networks, the gas distributor for Lilywood Landings, is currently planning to convert its entire gas network to become 100% renewable by 2040 (at a stretch) and no later than 2050.
Sustainable living at its best
In the meantime, Lilywood Landings is taking great shape, with the latest construction activity putting us on track to complete the first stages before the end of this year.
Anyone interested in purchasing a home is urged to register their interest.