Why Electrification Matters - & Why We’re Partnering With CoGo On The Suburban Homestead
The Future of Homes Is Electric
If we zoom out for a second, it’s clear the way people are powering their homes is changing… fast.
Energy prices are rising (how very topical right now…). The grid is under pressure. And more of us are realising that relying entirely on external systems leaves us exposed - financially and practically.
At the same time, the tools to take back control have never been more accessible.
Solar panels. Battery storage. Electric heating. EV charging. Smart energy systems.
This isn’t fringe anymore - it’s where homes are heading.
And for us, building the Suburban Homestead, electrification isn’t a “nice to have”… it’s foundational.
Our Vision: A Home That Produces, Stores and Uses Its Own Energy
With the Suburban Homestead, we’re aiming to create a home that’s not just lower impact - but smarter, more resilient, and future-ready.
That means:
Generating our own energy (solar)
Storing it (battery systems)
Powering appliances and heating water with electricity
Charging a future EV from our own system
And ideally, being able to sell excess energy back to the grid
Because the goal isn’t just to reduce harm…
It’s to build a home that actively participates in a better energy system.
Where Cogo Comes In
Electrifying a home sounds great in theory.
In reality? It can get confusing, quickly.
What system do you choose?
Who do you trust?
What actually makes financial sense?
That’s where Cogo comes in.
Cogo helps you understand what upgrades make sense for your specific home, what they might cost, what you could save, and what impact they’ll have. From there, they connect you with trusted local installers to bring it to life.
It turns a messy process into something clear and actionable.
A Quick Look at the Cogo Tool
This is the part we’re genuinely excited to share.
Cogo has built a tool that lets you:
Enter your home details
See personalised upgrade recommendations
Understand potential cost savings and emissions reductions
Map out a pathway to improve over time
Here’s a quick walkthrough from Ben, their founder:
It’s simple, practical, and actually useful - which is surprisingly rare in this space.
Why We Chose to Partner with Cogo
After spending time with Ben (founder) and Josh (Partnerships), and getting a proper feel for what they’re building, this felt like a natural fit.
They’re a small, passionate team building something genuinely helpful.
What stood out:
They focus on real-world action, not just awareness
They simplify complex decisions into something practical
They bring data and visibility into the process
They’re building with intention, not just chasing growth
And honestly… we just really like them. Backing good people doing meaningful work matters to us.
Built for New Zealand - Not Just One Home
One of the biggest reasons we’re excited about Cogo is that this isn’t just about our house. We might choose a hot water system that works for our home in Red Beach… But someone in Nelson, Whangārei, or Central Otago will need something completely different.
Cogo solves that.
Because they work with local suppliers across New Zealand, it means:
👉 Anyone following this project can explore options tailored to their own home, location, and budget
That’s a big part of our vision. We don’t just want to build something cool… We want people to be able to replicate it in their own way.
Making the Invisible Visible
One of the most powerful parts of working with Cogo is visibility. You can see in the below screenshot of our own home, with solar panels alone, we could be $25,000 better off in 20 years.
Through their platform, you’ll be able to see your own:
Estimated cost savings
Emissions reductions
The impact of different upgrade decisions
In some cases, households could:
Save thousands per year on energy
Reduce emissions significantly
Be tens of thousands of dollars better off long-term
This turns the project from something inspirational… Into something measurable and practical.
What Cogo Will Do in the Suburban Homestead Project
As the project progresses, Cogo will help us:
Connect with the right electrification partners
Navigate decisions around solar, batteries, heating, and EV charging
Understand the impact of each step
Build a system that works together - not just individual upgrades
Once our roofing decision is confirmed, we’ll start moving quickly into this phase.
Why Electrification Matters (For All of Us)
This isn’t just about sustainability.
It’s about:
Lowering long-term energy costs
Increasing independence from rising prices (how topical is this right now…?!)
Building resilience into our homes
Future-proofing how we live
Homes are shifting from passive energy users… to active participants in the system. And that shift matters.
Try It Yourself - Your Home, Your Numbers
If you’re even a little bit curious about what this could look like for your own home…
Cogo have set up a custom Ethically Kate version of their platform for this project.
You can:
Enter your home details
See personalised upgrade suggestions
Get a feel for potential savings and impact
Explore what might make sense for you
It’s free, and takes a couple of minutes.
Final Thoughts
We’re genuinely stoked to have Cogo involved.
Not just because of what they do… but because of how they think.
They’re helping turn the Suburban Homestead into something that’s not just aspirational…
But useful, practical, and replicable.
And that’s the goal.
FAQs
What is home electrification and why does it matter?
Electrification replaces fossil fuel systems (like gas heating) with electric alternatives, often powered by renewable energy. It reduces emissions and can lower long-term costs.
What does Cogo do?
Cogo helps you understand which upgrades make sense for your home, estimates savings and impact, and connects you with trusted local installers.
Can I really save money by electrifying my home?
In many cases, yes. While there are upfront costs, energy savings over time can be significant - especially with solar and efficient systems.
Can I sell power back to the grid in New Zealand?
Often yes, depending on your setup and provider. Many solar systems allow you to export excess energy.
Is the Suburban Homestead Project replicable?
That’s exactly what we’re aiming for. Different homes will have different setups, but the principles can be adapted nationwide.