Free home energy upgrade advice
From September 2025, Council is working with social enterprise ZapCat to help local households and businesses electrify and save on energy bills.
Through this free program, you can access expert, independent advice on switching to the following electric appliances.
You can also get practical tips on reducing energy bills through insulation, draught proofing and other energy efficiency upgrades.
Where to start
Follow the links below to select an equipment type to receive an instant online estimate for costs, savings, and available rebates.
ZapCat's expert independent advisors offer free online consultations to answer your questions, review quotes, and help you make confident, informed choices.
When you're ready, ZapCat can connect you with vetted local installers who may be offering discounts for residents.
Select from the following options and start your journey today.
For homes
For apartments
For businesses
Disclaimer and privacy information
Inner West Council has engaged Zap Cat Pty Limited (trading as ZapCat) to provide advisory services and connect Inner West residents with suppliers and installers. Please note: Council has subscribed to ZapCat's advisory service and does not directly vet or endorse installers or products.
Any information you provide to ZapCat will be handled according to ZapCat’s privacy policy available on the ZapCat website. Council is not responsible for how ZapCat or any third-party providers collect, use, or store this information. If a resident opts in to allow ZapCat to share their information with Council for the purpose of program feedback, it will be managed in line with Council’s privacy policy.
Why do energy upgrades?
Using electricity to cool, heat and cook means healthier air for the people living in your home. The high performance of modern electric appliances means they are also cheaper and cleaner to run and help reduce energy bills.
About 53% of electricity now comes from renewable sources in NSW. With more and more renewable energy reaching our homes each year, even if you don’t have solar you can be part of the clean energy transition by simply switching to electric appliances, cars and bikes when you have the choice.
To find out about where to start, and available subsidies, download the Go Electric Inner West Action Plan (PDF 134KB)
Switch to GreenPower
Anyone who pays an electricity bill can purchase renewable electricity. This is a great option if you don’t have solar. It’s also great for people who have solar, but use some electricity at night or when the sun is not shining.
GreenPower is an Australian Government scheme. If you choose it, your electricity company buys an equivalent amount of electricity from accredited renewable sources, like wind and solar farms.
Ask your electricity provider for their 100% GreenPower offer or find a GreenPower provider.
The Green Electricity Guide by Greenpeace ranks Australia’s electricity companies on how clean and green they are. You can use this guide to choose an energy provider that is committed to clean, renewable energy and ending fossil fuel use.
Borrow a portable induction cooktop
Induction stovetops heat food rapidly while leaving the surrounding surfaces cool to touch. Breathing the air in your home is healthier for everyone without harmful emissions from a gas stove. Be aware that the correct cabling is required for an induction stove. Modern standard electric stovetops are the next best choice, if you cannot install induction.
Compare induction cooktop brands and prices from CHOICE or check out our expert independent advice via Renew's Guide to Induction Cooktops to plan your switch to efficient, gas-free cooking.
If you'd like to try before you buy, you can borrow a portable single or double hob from Council's Green Living Centre. Reserve here
Move to electric transport (cars and bikes)
Electric cars are powered by electricity rather than petrol or diesel. This means they can use 100% renewable electricity to recharge. They are cheap to run, need very little maintenance, and reduce air and noise pollution.
To help plan for your next car to be an EV, see the Electric Vehicle Council’s detailed list of EVs available to buy in Australia and cost calculator. Find charging points near you via the Plugshare Australia map.
Electric bikes can be a great alternative to using a car and for riding distances that feel too far on a push bike. Check out independent consumer advocacy group Choice’s article: How to buy the best electric bike.
Electrification case studies
Hear from trusted local voices on the comfort, financial and health benefits of electrification.
Electrification webinar resources
Council's Green Living Centre has partnered with the Sydney chapter of not-for-profit group Renew to deliver a series of hybrid online and face to face workshops that assist Inner West residents navigate the steps of electrification.
View the energy efficiency and all electric home webinar recordings
Current electrification opportunities
Free energy efficiency consultations
Want some tips on how to reduce your energy bills or make your home more comfortable this summer? Our 45 minute face-to-face energy assessments and bill reading support might be just want you need!
Venue: Green Living Centre Education space, Inner West Sustainability Hub, 7 Prospect Rd Summer Hill
Upcoming sessions:
Saturday 16 September, 10am-2pm - Book here
Borrow energy saving resources
Council's Green Living Centre lends thermal imaging cameras, portable induction cooktops and PowerMate kits to better understand your energy use. Find out more
Thinking about getting solar or batteries? Try the SunSPOT free tool
Do you want to know:
- What size solar system you should get?
- How many panels will fit on your roof?
- How long will it take for a battery to pay for itself in savings?
SunSPOT is able to instantly reveal a suitable system size for the household or business’s needs, a system cost range, the time to pay for itself through savings, and the annual bill savings to be made. SunSPOT will also assess the feasibility of batteries of various sizes.
SunSPOT is not-for-profit and has been developed by the Australian PV Institute and UNSW with the backing of the Federal and NSW governments to help Australians understand what solar and batteries can do for them. It is free and private to use.
Council has a SunSPOT subscription, which allows residents and businesses to access the premium offering. Find out more on how to map your roof's solar potential.