Bunnings’ surprise move could kill off big power bills

Sick of sky-high electricity bills? Bunnings is taking aim at power companies with a game-changing subscription service.

Bunnings is known for its sausage sizzles and hardware bargains, but the retail giant is now aiming to revolutionise the way Australians power their homes.

Forget forking out a fortune upfront – Bunnings is offering a new subscription service that could make solar energy and battery storage accessible to everyone.

The hardware giant is launching a full-scale assault on the energy market with its new “Zelora” subscription service.

Forget the crippling upfront costs that have kept solar power out of reach for ordinary Aussies – Bunnings is offering a revolutionary way to power your home without emptying your bank account.

“Zelora – backed by Bunnings and powered by Intellihub” is a bold move that could finally democratise renewable energy.

Instead of shelling out tens of thousands of dollars for solar panels and batteries, homeowners can now access these technologies through a simple, all-inclusive subscription.

It comes as latest Climate Council research confirmed what we already knew: upfront costs are the biggest barrier to solar adoption.

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Bunnings is launching a full-scale assault on the energy market with its new “Zelora” subscription service.

Now Bunnings is aiming to smash that barrier to smithereens.

“Our new Zelora offer, developed in partnership with Intellihub, gives customers access to a broader range of battery and solar packages – including larger rooftop systems and home batteries – all available through a simple subscription model and supported by an app,” Bunnings’ Chief Operating Officer, Ryan Baker said.

The service is currently being trialled in Newcastle and greater Sydney, NSW.

Customers can choose from a range of solar and battery systems, all managed through the Zelora app.

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The initiative could save households thousands of dollars.

The subscription covers everything, from installation to ongoing maintenance, providing peace of mind and predictable monthly payments.

“The Zelora partnership with Bunnings will remove the complexity and big upfront cost that often comes with solar and battery systems to make it easier for households to reduce their electricity bills,” Intellihub Executive General Manager Australia, Alastair McKeown said.

The launch follows the release of the second PropTrack Origin Australian Home Energy Report earlier this year, which surveyed 4800 Aussies.

The report found more than half of Australians (56 per cent) plan to improve their home’s energy efficiency within the next five years as they see it as a way of saving on their electricity bills.

When homeowners were asked the reasons why they would switch to more energy-efficient appliances, 68 per cent said it was due to cost of living and the price of energy, outweighing the 55 per cent who cited environmental concerns.

On average, households intend to spend $7950 on energy-efficient upgrades over five years, indicating a potential $80 billion in national investment.

While the initial upfront cost can appear daunting, savings estimate by the Climate Council show Victorians could save $1301 a year by shifting gas appliances to all electric and removing gas supply charge fees.

Bunnings: More than just hammers and nails

Zelora is part of a broader push by Bunnings to embrace sustainability.

The company has also launched a range of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions and is trialling EV charging stations at select stores across the country.

Bunnings has introduced in-store sustainability initiatives to support community members who are looking to be more environmentally conscious, including a battery recycling program at all stores.

Earlier this year, Bunnings announced it had achieved its 100 per cent renewable electricity target milestone across its Australian and New Zealand store network, as part of its commitment to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.

Originally published as Bunnings’ surprise move could kill off big power bills