Keeping your home warm in the cooler months

Winter is finally here, which means cooler temperatures and wet, windy days. It’s tempting to stay inside with the heating cranked up high, but unfortunately that means our power bills are also getting higher each time the heater or reverse-cycle air-conditioner is turned on.  Each additional degree can add between 5 and 10 percent to your energy usage.

Luckily, there are a few smart choices you can make around the home to reduce your bills while still staying warm. Thanks to Your Energy Savings, here are some tips to help you out:

• Dress for the weather – it may seem obvious, but if you are cold at home, try putting some more clothes on before turning the heater on. Sometimes just a pair of fluffy socks, an extra jumper or a dressing gown can make all the difference.
• Keep doors shut – if you aren’t wanting to heat your whole home, shut the doors to those rooms that aren’t in use or don’t require heating, such as the bathroom or laundry.
• Turn heating off – you probably don’t need to leave your heater on overnight, and especially not when you are not even at home. It’s cheaper (and safer) to turn them off in these instances.
• Let the sun in – here in Perth we are blessed with gorgeous sunshine throughout winter, even when it’s cooler outside. On those sunny days, open your curtains up and let the sun warm your home. Just make sure to close them as soon as the sunshine moves.
• Don’t use the shower to warm up – there’s nothing better than a hot shower on a cold day, but staying in the shower uses up to 20 times more energy than standing under heat lamps. Even a few extra minutes can make a huge difference to your power bill.
• Rug up – if you are sitting on the couch and feel a little chilly, grab a nice warm rug and wrap it around yourself. It will make a world of difference.
• Use the sun to dry clothes - instead of having your clothes dryer running flat out through the winter months, use those sunny days as an opportunity to dry clothes out in the fresh air. It will take longer than during summer, but think of the savings on your energy bill.