1. Off Grid – Why Bother? It makes sense for the environment and it makes cents for the household budget DUNK ISLAND AIR STRIP f2design.com.au

2. Gas Prices are set to rise dramatically Fixed connection fees for gas and electricity will increase even more. Sewer discharge fees are based on water use Off Grid – Why Bother? f2design.com.au

3. $4 / Gigajoule max wholesale for last 3 decades $9 / Gigajoule predicted Average VIC House 55GJ/year Large VIC House 90GJ/year Retail currently $0.02/MJ or $20.00/GJ Off Grid – Why Bother? f2design.com.au

4. Sewer rates are tied to water consumption purchased from grid Reduced water purchase saves in water and sewer costs Off Grid – Why Bother? f2design.com.au

5. It is difficult to live without electricity but easy to live without gas. All electric houses save the service cost of connection to gas reticulation Off Grid – Why Bother?

6. Energy efficient lighting and appliances combined with high performance house design enables on site renewable generation at cost effective levels LED lights use 80% less power than low voltage fittings Off Grid – Why Bother?

7. f2design.com.au

8. Household energy efficiency improvements have been delayed in Victoria since the discovery of off-shore natural gas in 1967 Off Grid – Why Bother? f2design.com.au

9. Electricity connection -Truck appointment $500 -Overhead connection$2,000 -Underground pit$3,000 -Trench, pit-house$1,000 -No Meter box $500 Total easily$4,000 Off Grid – Why Bother? f2design.com.au

10. Service Fees -Gas$0.60/day -Electricity$1.15/day $1.75 $639pa -Gas use 50gigajoules@$20 $1,000pa -Elec use 15kWh/day @$0.25 $1,369pa Total$3,008 Off Grid – Why Bother? f2design.com.au

11. Funding from BankMECU Mortgage secured4.6% Enviro upgrade facility8.75% Borrow $35,000 @ 5%$1,750pa Reduced costs$3,000pa Better off by$1,250pa Off Grid – Why Bother? f2design.com.au

12. Off Grid – Why Bother? f2design.com.au

13. Off Grid – Why Bother? f2design.com.au

14. Off Grid – Why Bother? f2design.com.au

15. Answer Unless and until feed-in tariffs are fair there is little point in connecting to the grid. Because it is good for the household budget and good for the environment. Off Grid – Why Bother? f2design.com.au

16. Off Grid – Why Bother?

17. The House with No Bills