What's the most cost-effective way to heat your home this winter? Here are some simple tips
As Australia's east coast braces for chilly nights this weekend, that means many of us will be cranking up the heaters and bracing for an eye-watering power bill.
A rise in power prices from July 1 for people in three states also doesn't make things easier.
But there are ways to keep your electricity bill down during winter — while staying warm.
Here are some tips recommended by ABC readers.
Be smart with your thermostat
No, this doesn't mean setting your air conditioner to 28 degrees Celsius.
You want to avoid the temptation to heat a room any more than you need to, or you'll end up hurting your hip pockets.
Energy Australia recommends setting your temperature between the sweet spot of 18-20C in winter.
Every extra degree increases your heating energy use by up to 10 per cent.
And don't forget to only heat the rooms you are actually using and shut the doors to the others. This concentrates the heat where you need it most.
Don't have a heater?
That's okay! There are still some easy, low-cost changes you can implement to keep warm.
Here is what experts and some ABC readers suggest, based on their own experiences.
It may seem obvious, but wrapping up in fluffy sweaters and thick socks can be an easy way to stay comfortable.
Jackie from the Central Coast in NSW swears by the 3B's: Beanie, Blanket and Bed socks.
"I managed to get through last winter without using any powered heating," she says.
"I've lived in a cold area for years and found that dressing properly works really well.
"I wear thermal clothing when necessary, put a dressing gown on and always wear socks or slippers."
Michael from Canberra uses one particular mantra when winter comes:
"There's no such thing as cold weather, just poor clothing choices." Blankets
After you have layered on the appropriate clothing, the next step would be to cosy up with some blankets.
This could include your standard blanket, but also an electric one or a heated throw.
Energy Australia says:
"On average, electric blankets cost about four cents an hour, compared to some space heaters which can cost around 15 cents an hour."
Lee from South Australia says her heated throw blankets are "lovely and warm", and for under $100 each, "a very good investment". Thermal curtains
Up to 40 per cent of heating can be lost through windows.
So the key here is to lock the warmth in.
Let in the free heat by opening curtains and blinds on sunny days.
As the Sun starts to dip, close them up to help reduce the amount of air exchange between a cold window and the rest of the room.
Essentially, you want to trap the cold air behind the curtain.
For this to be as effective as possible, you will want to invest in quality thermal curtains and blinds such as honeycomb blinds.
But if you do not have thermal curtains, that's OK. You can still take advantage of the winter sunshine by opening and closing them at the right time. Reverse ceiling fans
Did you know that reversing your ceiling fans can make a room feel warmer in winter?
That is because warm air rises, and you want to get the warmer air back down to floor level where the people are.
A fan spinning clockwise on reverse or 'winter mode' will push down warm air that has drifted upwards.
This redistribution of warm air can dramatically change the overall ambient temperature of a room and make it a few degrees warmer than it otherwise would be.
You can check your remote control for a reverse function button.
If you don't have a remote control, most fans have a switch on the side of their motor labelled forward/reverse or summer/winter. Just flick the switch to change the rotation. Adjust hot water system temperature
Water heaters account for around 29 per cent of the average household's energy use.
You can cut down on the energy your hot water system uses by adjusting the temperature.
If you've got a storage hot water system, you want to set the temperature to 60C, according to Green Building Council Australia.
That is because you need it to be at least 60C to stop the growth of Legionella bacteria, but any higher than that means energy is being used unnecessarily.
A continuous flow, or instantaneous system does not need to be set as high as it does not store the water, so it should be no higher than 50C.
Michael from the Northern Rivers region of NSW, who has solar panels, turns his hot water off at the meter box overnight and back on in the morning.
"All my water heating is essentially done by the Sun's rays," he says.
"I have learnt that I only need to heat water every second day over winter, whereas in summer I only heat my water once or twice a week."
Also consider insulating the exposed pipes running from the hot water system and your hot water storage tank if you have one.
If you are heading on holiday over the winter period, turn the hot water system off. But when you return, you will need to ensure that the water is heated and stored above 60C before use. This could take several hours. Draught proof cracks and gaps
Sealing unintended openings in your home can save you up to 25 per cent on your heating bills.
And this is one of the cheapest options to implement.
During COVID, Carina Turner made several "door sausages" to stop drafts coming into her Victorian home.
She places them up against all the doors, ensuring they sit snugly against the gap between the door and floor.
To find out if you have any gaps or cracks, feel for moving air, visible light and/or whistling wind in the following areas: Windows and skylights
Windows and skylights Floorboards
Floorboards Walls
Walls Doors
Doors Appliances that connect to walls
Appliances that connect to walls Unused fireplaces
One easy way to check for drafts in your home is to light an incense stick or candle and look for the flutter that indicates there is air movement.
Even if you have seals around your windows, remember that these can degrade over time. So regularly inspect them to make sure they are in good condition.
Window sealing kits are also available from your local hardware store. Unplug vampire appliances
Generally, most electronic appliances — think TVs, computers and gaming consoles — tend to enter a stand-by mode rather than fully powering down.
So while you are asleep or away from home, they are working behind the scenes, sucking your electricity and cash.
According to Canstar Blue estimates, appliances on stand-by mode could cost you up to 10 per cent of your electricity bill. That's more than $100 annually. Use your local council's energy efficiency kits
Many councils and libraries across Australia offer energy efficiency kits that residents can borrow for free to identify areas of energy waste and take steps to reduce their consumption and lower their bills.
These kits typically include tools like: Thermal cameras to help you locate draughts and gaps in insulation
Thermal cameras to help you locate draughts and gaps in insulation Plug-in energy monitors for measuring energy consumption and the running costs of appliances
Plug-in energy monitors for measuring energy consumption and the running costs of appliances Water flow measuring cups to determine the water flow rate of your taps
Water flow measuring cups to determine the water flow rate of your taps Thermometer for measuring the temperature of rooms, fridges and freezers
Upgrades on the pricier side
If you are looking for longer-term investments, here are a couple of home upgrades you could do.
Insulation
Let's start off with the savings you could make from installing insulation:
Ceiling: 45 per cent or more on heating costs
45 per cent or more on heating costs Walls: up to 25 per cent
up to 25 per cent Floors: 20 per cent
CSIRO senior experimental scientist Michael Ambrose says insulation, particularly ceiling, provides "excellent bang for buck". But expect to pay between $1,800 to $2,800.
Try and heat the person first — think socks, dressing gowns and jumpers. ( Freepik: pvproductions )
Double-glazed windows
According to the Victorian government, double-glazed windows retain up to 30 per cent more heat and conditioned air than single-glazed windows.
That is because the gap between the two panes of glass acts as a barrier, slowing down the transfer of heat.
It can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,500 per square metre.
If this is out of your budget, there are some other options to consider. This includes thermal film or secondary double glazing that you can attach to existing window fittings.
One ABC reader, Eric, has done exactly this, using perspex and magnetic tape to double glaze the front of his unit, which he says cost him $1,500.
Try switching providers
Don't assume your current energy provider is offering you the best deal available.
Give them a call to find out what they will offer to keep you as a customer, and then ring up some competitors to compare the prices.
One ABC reader says every time they receive a utilities bill, they upload it to one of the comparison websites to see if there is a cheaper alternative.
"Often I find that there is [a cheaper alternative], and occasionally it's even from the same provider I'm currently with," they said.
"In the past, I've called up my energy or gas provider and asked for a discount, and while this can sometimes be successful, it's often much more hassle than simply connecting to a new company.
"I imagine I have saved hundreds."
When it comes to insulation, it's important to ensure coverage in ceilings, walls and under floor. ( ABC News: Alex Lim )
Last December, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found as many as four in five households could be paying less for electricity by shopping around.
The report showed customers on flat rate market offers that are two or more years old experience average annual prices $317 higher than those on new offers.
One ABC reader who has switched to save on their power bill is Chris O'Neill from Victoria.
Last year, he signed up to OVO's Free 3 plan which gives customers three hours of free electricity every day during the peak solar times between 11am-2pm.
During that period, he switches on four heaters that use 6 kilowatt total, an oven that uses 2kW and the water heater that uses 2.4kW.
Switching electricity providers is one of the easiest ways to save money. ( AAP: David Mariuz )
That is a total of 10.4kW an hour, or 31.2 kWh per day of free heating.
"I get OVO to charge me $97 per month which is close to what we use but my credit keeps building up when the government puts a credit on my account," Mr O'Neill says.
"My average bill from May to October inclusive in 2023 with Powershop/Nectr energy was $139, so just on electricity alone OVO has saved about $42 per month or $248 in six months."
Other ABC users also spoke about using the three-hour deal.
If you are looking to compare suppliers, this government website can help you find which has the best rate.
If you live in Victoria, visit Victorian Energy Compare.
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