8 Winter Energy saving tips for 2020

As we continue social distancing and spending more time in our homes, we might find we’re using more energy too. There are many ways we can reduce our home energy use, that are simple and easy to do, and go beyond wearing wooly jumpers.

Here are some energy efficiency tips you can use around the house to stay warm during the cooler months, without spiking your energy bill.

Understand your energy use

Before we get into the tips, it’s worth getting a better understanding of where the average Australian home uses the most energy. Here’s a snapshot:

• Heating and cooling: 40%
• Appliances  and equipment, including refrigeration and cooking: 33%
• Water heating: 21%
• Lighting: 6%

Basic Winter energy saving tips

Now that you know the average Australian home uses about 40& of their energy on heating and cooling, you can put a plan in place to save this winter. Even small changes to the way you heat your home can lead to some helpful savings, so here are 5 handy tips: 

• Only heat the rooms you use most – reduce the area you heat by closing doors to rooms you’re not using, so you’ll use less energy to heat the rest of the house.
• Keep your thermostat between 18°C and 20°C – every degree you reduce heat can save up to 10% on your energy use.
• Keep showers short – hot water usage accounts for around 21% of your energy bill, so having shorter showers can result in big savings in the long run.
• Use a draft stopper – if cold air is getting in, warm air is getting out. Invest in door seals, draft- proofing strips and door snakes to stop heat escaping and reducing your heating cost by up to 25%. 
• Close your curtains – shutting curtains or blinds is an easy way to stop heat escaping. Windows can let more than 40% of your winter warmth leak out of your home. 
• Reverse your Ceiling Fan- In the winter months, you should run your ceiling fan in the reverse mode using the Summer/Winter switch.  Since heat rises, when heating your home in the winter the temperature of the air at the ceiling of the room can be up to 15 degrees warmer than the air at ground level.
• Maintain Your Heating Systems
  • Schedule a service for your heating system. 
  • Furnaces and heat pumps: Replace your filter once a month or as needed. 
  • Wood- and Pellet-Burning Heaters: Clean the flue vent regularly and clean the inside of the appliance with a wire brush periodically to ensure that your home is heated efficiently.                                                                                   
• Lower Your Holiday Lighting Costs

  • Use light-emitting diode -- or "LED" --  lights to reduce the cost of decorating your home for the winter.

Whatever the season, the best way to save on your energy bills is to be mindful of the ways you use energy.