Whether you’re a summer lover or a snow chaser, we all have one thing in common – no one wants to live in a cold home over winter. But as the cold creeps in, we often watch in horror as our energy bills skyrocket – fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s entirely possible to stay cosy indoors with a few simple adjustments, some smart technology, and a potential leg up thanks to government rebates – no long johns required. Here’s how.
1. Your fan, but in reverse
Sure, you know and love your ceiling fan in the summer, but did you know it could also be your secret warming weapon in the winter? During summer, your ceiling fan blades will turn counterclockwise, delivering that delicious wind-chill factor. In winter, search out the reverse switch (which most newer models have) and voila – your ceiling fan will now push all that rising heat back down to floor level.
2. Invest in a humidifier
While humidity doesn’t actually increase the temperature indoors like a heater, it does make your home feel warmer – think of it like the difference between a dry 30-degree summer’s day versus a humid one. This extra layer of warmth can make the difference when it comes to cranking up your heating, and humidifiers typically have lower energy consumption (and, therefore, running costs) than heating systems.
3. Worship the sun!
Channel your inner ancient Aztec and worship the sun – as fleeting as it may be. This includes repositioning your furniture near areas of the home that get a lot of natural light and heat from the sun and casting curtains and blinds wide open during sunny days. Making the most of nature’s best warmer can significantly contribute to your home’s heat – especially if you have large windows facing south or north and have good insulation in place. More on that next!
4. Banish heat leaks, beef up heat traps
Before you bring in the big guns (heating systems), make sure you’ve got the foundations set to keep that precious heat in. Focus on these key areas:
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Seal gaps
Small gaps around doors, windows and air vents bring chilly drafts into your home and make heating less efficient. Seal these with weather stripping, draft excluders or a good old-fashioned DIY door snake. Don’t forget the pet doors, too.
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Check and upgrade your insulation
Good quality, correctly installed insulation is the single best thing you can do to keep your home comfortable all year round. It’ll make a noticeable difference to your heating and cooling efforts and bills.
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Window woes
Up to 40% of a home’s heating energy can be lost through windows, which makes double glazing a no-brainer – if it’s within your budget. For an easy and affordable alternative, try a window film insulation kit. It’s a transparent shrink film that’s easily applied to your window frames, creating a thermal barrier just like double glazing.
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Drapes over drafts
Heavy curtains or thermal blinds add another protection against heat leaking windows and are great at locking in warmth after a sunny day. For maximum impact, your curtains should extend beyond the window frame and drape to the floor.
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Rug up
Wooden or tiled floors feel icy underfoot and can account for 10-20% of heat loss in your home. While underfloor insulation helps here, add an extra layer of warmth and prevent heat loss with cosy woollen or shag style rugs. If you can still feel the wind whistling up through gappy old floorboards, pop an underlay beneath your rug, too.
5. Take advantage of government rebates
Government rebates and incentives can make energy-efficient home upgrades much more affordable. In Australia, schemes like the Solar Rebate, Home Energy Efficiency Retrofits, and state-specific offers help reduce the upfront costs for insulation, heat pumps and smart thermostats. It’s worth checking your state or federal energy schemes to see if you qualify for financial assistance. Beyond government initiatives, some energy providers and councils also run sustainability programs, offering incentives for switching to greener energy sources or improving your home insulation.
6. Warm where it counts
While a consistent temperature flowing seamlessly between rooms is nice, get clever and heat your home strategically. Close doors to rooms you don’t use often – like guest bedrooms and storage areas – and keep heating concentrated in the areas that matter most. This will reduce your heating system’s work, improving energy efficiency while keeping your most commonly used areas, like your living room and bedroom, consistently warm. It’s a simple habit that makes a big difference.
7. Heat smarter
In a similar vein to warming where it counts, but a whole lot smarter, smart thermostats like Google Nest or Ecobee learn your heating habits and adjust temperatures automatically before you even set foot inside. These can also be paired with smart radiator valves and zoned heating, which have built-in sensors to ensure you only heat rooms that are in use and can be controlled from your phone. These upgrades typically mean you’ll waste less heating and save on your energy bills. All with minimal effort.
8. Invest in maintenance and upgrades
It might seem obvious but keeping your heating system well-maintained and regularly serviced will make sure it’s running efficiently and that you won’t get caught in the cold due to an unexpected breakdown. If your system has seen better days and your budget allows, it’s worth upgrading to a newer heat pump or gas heater with a high Energy Star rating for energy efficiency, cost savings, and performance. And when it comes to setting the dial, aim for 18-20°C; every degree higher adds 5-10% to your power bill.
9. Compare energy plans and providers
Heating is one of winter’s most significant (and unavoidable) household expenses, but choosing the right provider and plan can make a real difference to your monthly bill. And all it takes is a little research. Where to start? Check your previous winter bills to understand your usage patterns, then jump on to Canstar to compare providers with plans offering off-peak rates, fixed rate plans and any discounts available for direct debit or online billing. Be sure to read the fine print, too, as you don’t want to be stuck with hidden fees or exit charges.
10. Heat the human, not the home
Winter indoors at yours shouldn’t be t-shirt weather, so make sure you rug up and stay warm without relying on cranking the heat. It’s the perfect opportunity to snuggle into that cosy robe, pop on your fluffy socks and Ugg boots and wrap up under a toasty heated throw. Sip on warming drinks, whip up some hearty winter meals, and if you’re using the oven, you can even warm the kitchen once you’re finished by leaving the oven door open just a crack while it cools – just be cautious with kids or pets around.
It’s a wrap: stay warm and cosy and save money this winter
Staying warm this winter doesn’t have to mean bills that give you the chills. With a few upgrades and clever tips, you can create an energy and cost-efficient home that doesn’t compromise on the cosy factor. Need help finding your perfect winter-ready home? Reach out to your local First National Real Estate, and your local friendly experts will guide you to finding your keys to happiness.
DISCLAIMER
The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial, or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial, or real estate decisions. Click here for full Terms of Use.