These hot air leaks are such an issue that my Aunty Glenys over in sunny Sockremento swears by her easy \u2018look, listen and feel\u2019 technique to decide when a door snake might save you from wasting cool air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Look<\/strong> for movement in the curtains.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Listen<\/strong> for rattles or whistles near doors and windows.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Feel<\/strong> for moving air, especially near doors, windows, fireplaces or floorboards. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Any of the above are usually* caused by an air leak letting hot air in. The great news, a door snake is just one way you can get it sorted quick-smart.
(*If it\u2019s not a hot air leak, it\u2019s probably a poltergeist, in which case us door snakes become a little bit useless and you\u2019re on your own. Sorry). <\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve got your trusty door snake sorted, check out these other easy ways to stay cool and keep your energy costs down this summer<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make your windows work for you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now you know about hot air leaks in summer, it\u2019s probably obvious that during the day, it\u2019s ideal to keep your windows closed to make sure the hot air doesn\u2019t creep in \u2013 and any cool air you\u2019ve captured from your AC doesn\u2019t escape. But on nights, where the temp drops and there\u2019s a breeze, try opening the windows to let the air flow in. Better still, on days when the heat isn\u2019t sky high, try opening windows at different ends of the house to create a cross breeze.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Become a fan of fans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While winter saw me fan-snaking over Taylor Swift, this summer I\u2019ve become a big fan of fans. They\u2019re more energy efficient<\/a> and way cheaper to run than air conditioners<\/a> (which means more money to spend on concert tix) with ceiling fans costing as little as two cents an hour<\/a> to run. Pedestal fans are particularly good at cooling specific parts of your room, especially if you position them in front of an open window of an evening, when they can help to push the cool air \u2013 and delightful summer smells \u2013 through your space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be AC savvy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We know, sometimes fans just don\u2019t cut the mustard against an Aussie summer. On these days, the AC is your bestie. But just because you\u2019re using it to feel cooler than a cucumber, doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t be smart about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firstly, you\u2019ll want to make sure those filters are nice and clean \u2013 or that you replace them regularly to make sure your air conditioner<\/a> is working at its most efficient and not chewing through more energy than it needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have a central air conditioning system, it\u2019s a good idea to use the zone control function so you\u2019re only cooling the rooms you\u2019re actually in. For split systems, close off the areas of the house you\u2019re not in to ensure you\u2019re only cooling the rooms you need to.\u00a0
\u00a0
When selecting the temp, set it to 24\u00b0C or higher<\/a>. This simple tip can make a big difference to your energy usage, with each degree under 24\u00b0C using a whopping 5-10% more energy<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nKeep the sun’s rays at bay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s no secret, us snakes love finding a sunny spot to curl up in. But too much of a good thing is not always great, and in the warmer months, letting the sunlight into your house means you have to work harder to keep your space cool. Which isn\u2019t cool.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In summer, a single windowpane can gain up to 10 times<\/a> more heat than the same sized area of uninsulated wall. That’s a lot of extra heat! Luckily, you can reduce your home\u2019s temp just by using blinds, drapes or window shades to keep the sun out. Even better, if these window coverings are white, they\u2019ll reflect the sun and do an even better job at cooling your room. Pretty clever for a colour, huh? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Switch off before heading out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Did dear old Mumsy always nag you to \u201cswitch that off\u201d whenever you left a room or were finished using something? Yep. Same. Triggering as that memory may be, turns out it was for a very good reason. And it all comes down to savings. To avoid paying for what you\u2019re not using, try switching off before you head out. Flicking the switch off at the wall on things like TVs, toasters, coffee machines and kettles can all add up to save you big bucks! In fact, standby power can cost you up to $100 per year<\/a>. \u00a0
If you\u2019re heading away on holidays<\/a> and have a second fridge, don\u2019t forget to clear out all your perishables and give it the flick, too. Better still, invest in some smart plugs<\/a>. These clever gadgets mean you can turn off your appliances from wherever you are, in case you forget.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nMake a habit of checking your plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not the biggest fan of life admin I must admit, but once every few months \u2013 after I\u2019ve put the snakelets to bed \u2013 I jump online and check my energy plan<\/a>. Remembering to check your energy plan<\/a> regularly can result in big savings on your energy bill. And while you\u2019re ticking things off your to-do list, check if you\u2019re eligible for any\u202fconcessions or rebates<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask for help if you need it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re all feeling the cost-of-living squeeze, so if there\u2019s any way the team at Origin can help you, please reach out. There\u2019s a range of financial support<\/a> available, including tailored support via their Power On Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Listen<\/strong> for rattles or whistles near doors and windows.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/ORI5610_WinterDraughts_R0a_Thumbnail-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>