I live 30ks from the Perth CBD but already semi-rural so no gas! Have considered woodfire, but no decent-looking as well as effective fireplaces around (I would love to have a masonry or soapstone fireplace, which acts as a heat sink), so I will stick with my panel heaters (electricity) and change all my globes and get some solar panels this year.
My neighbours, family of five, have solar hot-water and last year installed a medium-sized array of solar panels. They were overseas for 6 weeks last year and came back and received a cheque from the power company (Western Power through Synergy - something like that). When installing they also received the full Government rebate and had a friendly installer who did the work for a good price. They are really happy with their investment. I guess the trick is not to start with a huge array and keep adding as the panels get cheaper, because they will get cheaper. I'll get the full figures from them, if you like.
Pressure pumps don't cost that much to run - I've got a small tank and mostly I just allow the water to run into the garden, when it overflows; but have plans for an array of water tanks, all connected - not this year, though.
I am glad we can keep politics away from this thread.
