When Katie moved to Killcare in June 2024, it was a conscious lifestyle choice. After spending most of her adult life on the NSW North Coast around Byron Bay, she was ready to be closer to Sydney but still wanted that familiar coastal bush feel. With her two sisters already living on the Central Coast, it quickly felt like the right place to call home.
After two years of “slowly” searching for the right property, Katie found an older timber house overlooking Hardy’s Bay. It had the perfect view but also a major drawback. The house faced directly into the western afternoon sun.
“With the best view came the worst orientation,” Katie says.
Working with a tight renovation budget, Katie knew she couldn’t do everything at once. Instead, she focused on making practical changes that would move her towards her goal of running the home entirely on electricity and reducing her carbon emissions.
Through the Electrify Bouddi website, conversations with her sister, and attending Electrify Bouddi forums, especially the session “Make your home more energy efficient”, Katie identified a few key priorities. She installed an induction cooktop, added reverse-cycle air conditioning, and fitted roller blinds across all windows to help manage heat.
But insulation remains her biggest challenge.
The house is extremely hot in summer and cold in winter. While the air conditioning helps, Katie describes it as “a bit of a band-aid against the harsh western sun.”
She explored adding insulation into the roof cavity, but when tradespeople started the job, they discovered there was no usable ceiling space and forced the project to be abandoned.
“It was frustrating, but I haven’t given up,” she says.
Katie is now considering external shutters for the western-facing windows, which may provide a more effective long-term solution, though she is still researching the best approach.
Her electrification journey is continuing beyond the home. Next on the list is replacing her petrol car which currently costs around $120 to fill, with a fully electric vehicle. With so many options available, she’s taking her time to find the right one and given her budget she is also exploring the second-hand EV market as a more affordable way to make the switch.
“I’ll definitely be using the Electrify Bouddi website to help guide that decision too,” she says.
Katie’s story shows that electrification doesn’t have to happen all at once. It can be a gradual process—making informed choices, working within a budget, and learning along the way.
Equipment details:
| Equipment | Description | Installed by | Approx Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Induction cooktop | Bora Downdraft 58cm | X-Cel Electrics | $4200 plus install |
| Roller blinds | 12 sunscreen roller blinds | Concept Shade | $4,860 |
| Reverse cycle air con | 3.5kw Fujitsu R/Cycle Inverter Split System A/C | SRF COAST SERVICES | $3,200 |
Read about all the simple ways you can reduce your energy use and cut emissions, including moving to induction cooking.