For 65 years, CHOICE has tested household products to help Australians make informed decisions and protect people from unsafe products.
Throughout this time, we've started and stopped testing products for a range of reasons. For example, air fryers have taken the world by storm over the last decade and CHOICE now regularly tests them.
On the other hand, we've stopped testing standalone scanners after they were incorporated into multi-function printers.
In making these decisions we are always guided by our vision: fair, safe and just markets that meet the needs of Australian consumers.
It's this vision that also prompted our decision to stop testing gas appliances (with the exception of BBQs of course, that would be un-Australian). We stopped testing gas heaters in 2017 and gas cooktops in 2022. We feel that continuing to test them is no longer in line with what Australian consumers need from us.
Households shifting to electricity
Australia is in the midst of an energy transition and many households are making the shift from gas to electric – not only for environmental reasons, but because modern electric appliances are safer, more efficient and cheaper to run over time.
Products like heat pump hot water systems and reverse-cycle air conditioning now outperform their gas counterparts in both performance and running costs.
Modelling by Energy Consumers Australia estimates that going all-electric could cut the average household's energy bills by $2250. Gas cooktops have also been linked to health risks.
Going all-electric could cut the average household's energy bills by $2250
As a consumer organisation, we think this is reason enough for many consumers to choose electric over gas appliances. The fact that gas is a fossil fuel and electric appliances also support a cleaner energy future is an added bonus.
Government role in transition
We also know that governments are starting to phase out gas appliances. Victoria has already banned new gas connections in certain new homes and is in the process of exploring options to ban new gas heaters and hot water systems in all homes.
The ACT will also phase out gas by 2045, and we're proud to have partnered with the ACT Government to help Canberra residents make their next appliance choice electric.
CHOICE would like to see all state and territory governments develop similar plans to phase out gas to help give consumers certainty when making decisions about their household appliances.
CHOICE will continue to advise on gas
CHOICE will continue to provide trusted advice and information about gas appliances, recognising that for some consumers they may still be the best – or only – choice.
This could be due to upfront costs or because they can't make big changes to their home as they rent or live in an apartment.
But we won't invest our limited resources to lab test gas appliances.
Don't take my gas barbecue!
No one is coming for your gas BBQ. They use a small amount of gas, are located outside, which mitigates safety issues, and they're an iconic feature of the Australian backyard. CHOICE will continue to test gas and electric BBQs.
We're on your side
For more than 60 years, we've been making a difference for Australian consumers. In that time, we've never taken ads or sponsorship.
Instead we're funded by members who value expert reviews and independent product testing.
With no self-interest behind our advice, you don't just buy smarter, you get the answers that you need.
You know without hesitation what's safe for you and your family.
And you'll never be alone when something goes wrong or a business treats you unfairly.
Learn more about CHOICE membership today
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
