Put a Freeze on Cost to Keep Warm

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First National Real Estate says there’s a lot homeowners can do to improve their carbon footprint and keep escalating power bills down during winter.

In winter, the typical Australian household consumes approximately 2700 kWh of energy, which is around 7 per cent more than in the warmer months.

So, while many environmentally-friendly actions should be taken throughout the year, it is during winter that we need to be more diligent and follow some additional guidelines.

Turn down heater thermostats by one or two degrees and close curtains and blinds to reduce heat escaping. Put on warmer clothing, like sweaters, to lessen the reliance on heaters for warmth.

Avoid leaving unnecessary lights on and switch them off when no one is in the room.  Outdoor lights should use motion sensors wherever possible.  Use lower wattage bulbs such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFL).  Appliances, such as computers and televisions, should be turned off at the wall, if possible. 

Inspect the home for air leaks and install draught seals and weather stripping around doors and windows and repair faulty.

Upgrade all areas of the home to recommended insulation levels and potentially save 5 to 25 per cent on heating and cooling costs.

Install energy efficient appliances wherever possible.  Use major appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers or dryers at bed-time and other low energy use times of the day, and avoid using them between 4pm and 9pm – this is the optimal time to power down.