ENERGY SAVINGS

Four ways
to stay warm
for less this
winter.

Don't let the fear of high heating costs dampen your spirits in winter - there are clever ways to stay warm, without turning up the heating. When you want to keep your home cosy and comfortable, these cost-effective strategies and handy tricks are designed to help you preserve precious heat instead of escalating those energy bills.

Save up to 45% on heating costs by insulating your home

If you’re wondering what eats into your energy use the most, it’s heating and cooling your home. For the average Australian household, this accounts for 40% of total home energy use, according to energy.gov.au. One of the most powerful ways to slash this percentage without overspending is to ensure your home is well-insulated.

Installing roof and ceiling insulation will create a barrier between the cold outdoors and the warmth inside your home, minimising heat loss and reducing the need for excessive heating. According to Your Home, you could save up to 45% on heating and cooling costs by insulating your roof and ceiling.

Retain heat under your feet with cosy rugs

If you’ve got wooden or tiled flooring, throwing some snug rugs down will provide insulation for your feet and surrounding area. Hard flooring materials have a higher thermal conductivity, meaning they can transfer heat more easily. Throwing some cosy rugs over these surfaces will create a thermal barrier between your feet and the cold floor, preventing the cold air from penetrating upward.

The softer and squishier, the better. The Carpet Institute of Australia states that the thicker the pile, the more energy you’ll save. A thin pile generates savings of around 8.6%, while a thicker pile could save you up to as much as 12.8% on your room heating costs. So, treat your feet (and pocket!) with some cosy rugs this winter.

Double glaze your windows to prevent heat loss

Single glazing is a huge heat loss culprit, with up to 40% of a home’s heating energy lost through windows according to Your Home. Double or even triple glazing will create a sealed air gap between the panes. The trapped air acts as a thermal buffer, preventing cold air from entering your home and reducing the need for continuous heating.

When considering double glazing options, ensure that the windows meet Australian standards for energy efficiency. Look for windows with a high energy efficiency rating (such as those with a low U-value or high R-value) to maximise those all-important insulation benefits.

Seal draughty gaps to increase your home’s comfort

From shrunken or poorly fitted floorboards to unsealed doors and windows, draughty areas can cause between 15−25% of winter heat loss in buildings. Improving your home’s air tightness will reduce energy costs while improving the comfort of your living spaces.

To start with, identify where cold air is leaking in from. Common culprits include windows, doors, electrical outlets, skirting boards, attic hatches and pipes. Then, find the right air-sealing solution. Weatherstripping or caulking is great for sealing gaps and cracks around windows, doors or skirting boards. For larger gaps in walls, consider using an expandable foam. Banish draughts from beneath doors using brush or roller door seals or placing excluders down.

Summary

• Insulating your home’s roof and ceiling can save up to 45% on heating and cooling costs.

• A thin pile rug could save you around 8.6% on your winter heating costs, while a thicker pile could save you up to as much as 12.8%.
• Up to 40% of your home’s heating energy is lost through windows. Double or triple glazing will lower the amount of heat lost and energy you use.
• Draughty gaps can cause between 15−25% of winter heat loss. By sealing gaps and improving your home’s air tightness you will cut this percentage down.
  
  

ActewAGL's energy saving tips are designed to help you take control of your energy use, while reducing your bills and environmental impact. Save with great value energy plans backed by our sustainability promise, supported by 100% local, award-winning service.

For more information about how you can transition to an energy-efficient home visit the SolarHub & ActewAGL Smart Energy Hub today.

Sources

https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CC_MVSA0353-CC-Report-Two-for-One-Home-Energy-Efficiency_V5.1-FA-Screen-Single.pdf
https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/insulation
https://www.energy.gov.au/households/household-guides/seasonal-advice/winter
https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/glazing
https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/ventilation-airtightness

Disclaimer: These Energy Savings tips and articles are for information purposes only. Please ensure you are aware of any safety precautions before operating appliances or products.