Have you felt the chill blowing over from the Brindabellas? The capital region is known for its legendary winters, and with all of our operations based in the heart of Canberra, we know we can feel the cold setting in. Before you have to start defrosting your windscreen, get on the front foot for winter with a few energy-saving tips.
Think before you click
What’s your thermostat set to? If your answer is above 20°C, you may want to pause your tea-fuelled movie marathon to take the temperature down a couple notches. Although it may feel like ‘just a couple more degrees’, every degree higher can increase your usage by 5–10%*. In winter, 18 –20°C is the magic temperature range to avoid excess energy costs.
When you head out for the day, don’t forget to switch off any automatic timers you have set for your heater, as well. Even just one less hour of heating per day can equate to 90 less hours of heating by the end of the season.
Rug up
If your parents always told you to put on a jumper instead of switching on the heater, we’re here to tell you that your floors could do with some extra layers as well. If you have tiled, wood or slab flooring, lock in the heat by adding an area rug*. Not only will you create a cosy barrier between your toes and the cold floor, rugs act as an insulator for your floors.
Blue sky supply
Just because it’s cold outside, doesn’t mean the sun isn’t warm—and Canberra is known for its clear bright-blue, winter days. If you have west-facing rooms in your house, leave your curtains and blinds open during the day. Your walls, floors and furniture will soak up the warmth of the afternoon sun, reducing your need for heating. Just make sure to close them again once the day is done.
Speaking of containing the warmth, make sure you minimise the space you heat—only heat the rooms you’re using by closing all doors to unused rooms such as the laundry, bathrooms and spare bedrooms.
Power up your budgeting
In seasons where you’re using more energy, it's natural to feel nervous not knowing how much your next quarterly bill will be. This is where EvenPay comes in. We take the total of your annual energy bills and break them down into smaller, more manageable payments. When you set up EvenPay, you have the choice of smoothing out your bills to monthly or fortnightly payments—just choose the direct debit option that works best for your budget. ‘Set and forget’ EvenPay in just a couple of minutes at My.ActewAGL. You’ll be on the front foot for cooler weather, and you’ll always know how much you need to pay and when.
The change of season is the perfect time for an energy efficiency check-up. Read more here about simple things you can do around your home to improve your energy use and stay comfortable.
This winter, say goodbye to your power-hungry appliances. Make the switch to a new, energy-efficient heater with our appliance upgrade offers, or get rid of your spare fridge—we’ll take it away for you, free of charge.
We understand that our city’s energy is something that we all share. Learn more ways to reduce your energy use and save more with our ‘Power to save’ booklet.
References
* Energy.gov.au
