As the days get colder, and shorter, it\u2019s inevitable we find ourselves spending more time inside. Winter also brings with it the desire to get toasty, which can also mean an increase in energy usage. These five tips will help keep you cosy and comfortable, minus the itchy jumpers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before we jump into the tips, understanding your home\u2019s energy usage can be a helpful place to start. For instance, did you know that the average Aussie home uses 40% of their energy<\/a> on heating and cooling?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to get a better understanding about your usage habits, check out the Origin app<\/a>. You can track your usage* over time, which allows you to easily see how the seasons affect the way you use your energy. If you have a smart meter, you can even see daily breakdowns of your usage and the weather forecast on those days (available via My Accoun<\/a>t).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This one might seem obvious, but only heating the rooms you\u2019re using can have a big impact. If the family, or your housemates, are spending majority of the day in the living room make sure the heating is off in the other rooms and ensure the doors are shut \u2013 this will trap in the heat. When using the heater, the most energy-efficient temperature to set it to is between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius. Each degree above that uses roughly 15% more energy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When heating your home it may also be beneficial to keep your heating on all day<\/a>. That’s right, if you have reverse cycle air-conditioning it’s efficiency will vary throughout the day. With this in mind, it’s best not to turn reverse cycle air-conditioning on and off. If you heat your home for a while, only to switch the heating back on when it gets cold again, your aircon is going to have to work hard to get back to that desired temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whereas if it’s on the same low temperature between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius – hopefully not too different from the outside temperature – it’s going to run much more efficiently<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re relying on portable electric heaters or gas systems, flicking them on and off isn’t going to make much of a difference as these appliances don’t have the sensor functionality like reverse cycle air-conditioners do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On sunny days, take advantage of the winter rays by opening your curtains and letting the sunshine warm your spaces. As the sun dips in the afternoon, keep the cool at bay by shutting your curtains and use draught stoppers to keep cool air from creeping in. Door seals, draught-proofing strips and door snakes can reduce your heating costs by up to 25%<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep extra cosy this winter by investing in a heated throw. Electric throws are cheaper to run than heaters and can save you around $150<\/a> compared to other types of heating. They\u2019re also the perfect addition to a weekend of movie watching on the couch. You can calculate the running cost of small appliances with this handy calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re cooking up a hearty winter feast, why let that residual oven heat go to waste? After you\u2019ve finished, simply leave the oven door ajar (make sure no little hands can touch any hot surfaces). Any extra heat that\u2019s escaping will help warm your kitchen and living space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With of many of us heading back into the office, worrying about what to have for dinner is the last thing you want to do after a long day. Slow cookers are a win-win, and they\u2019re beginner chef friendly. Just whack a bunch of delicious things into a pot and voila! Six hours later it\u2019s beef bourguignon<\/a>. The other amazing thing about slow cookers is they use less energy<\/a> than standard ovens. In fact, they use just a little more energy than a traditional light bulb<\/a>. So, you can have something slow cooking all day while you work \u2013 with minimal strain on your energy bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever the season, the best way to save on your energy bills <\/a>is to create good energy habits and to make sure you\u2019re on the right energy plan<\/a> for your household\u2019s needs.Smart ways to heat your home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Heat the hub<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Consider whether you need to turn the heater on and off<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reverse cycle air-conditioners work by sucking heat from the air outside. So, theoretically if you set the temperature to 24 degrees when it’s 24 degrees outside, it would cost very little. As the majority of air conditioners have a sensor within them that regulates the temperature, it will work to heat your home to whichever temperature you set.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSavour the sunshine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cosy up with a heated throw<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Take advantage of residual heat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pull out the slow cooker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Want to find out how you can be rewarded for saving energy? Join our energy-saving rewards program, Spike, today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n