Winter Energy Saving Tips For Your Home

Soaring energy costs and winter’s arrival might make you worried about your next electricity bill.
We’ve put together some energy-saving tips to help you save money on your bills this winter.

• Manage your peak energy usage

If your energy plan includes tariffs for peak and off-peak usage, you can save a lot of money by using electricity during off-peak periods.

One of the easiest and most efficient ways is to set timers for your heavy-use items. Heating and cooling can account for up to 40% of your electricity bill, so this is a great place to start. 

Set timers for your heating system to warm your house at the most crucial times of the day. For example, having a timer to warm your home just before you wake up can make those dark winter mornings more bearable and allow you to get into your winter knits comfortably.

Similarly, your hot water system and underfloor heating should be set to only heat during off-peak periods.

If solar panels are installed, you can use the energy generated during peak periods to reduce the amount of energy you buy from the grid. By combining your solar panels with a battery, you can also store electricity during lower generation times.

• Get creative

While energy-saving doesn’t have a reputation as the most exciting part of your day, there are creative ways you can beat the winter weather and save electricity at the same time. 

Some of our favourite winter-warming activities include:

• Get active – find a playlist you love and dance away the cold (with the added benefit of staying healthy and warm at the same time). If dancing is not your thing, you could try at-home workouts to get you moving and raise your temperature.
• Snuggle your pets – our furry friends are natural heaters, and a cuddle with your pet is good for the soul and the electricity bill! Break the rules by letting your pet on the couch, or let them curl up on your toes under your office desk. You’ll be amazed at how effective they are at warming you up!
• Add some layers  – make sure your wardrobe reflects the season, even when you’re inside your home. Add some extra layers to warm yourself up, such as a jumper, cardigan or scarf, and you might find you don’t need to run the heating after all. 
• Style your home for warmth – there’s a reason European countries love a good floor rug. Not only do they look great, but they are great for insulating your home and protecting you from the cold coming in through the floorboards.

• Get competitive

Did you know that some energy retailers offer rewards for saving energy? So, you save on your bill and can cash in rewards if you meet your energy-saving goal.

Origin Energy has introduced ‘Spike’, which rewards members for reducing their energy usage during peak hours (SpikeHours). When you join, Origin calculates your SpikeHour Goals based on your usual peak usage forecast. If you meet these goals, you are rewarded with bonus points that you can redeem for PayPal cash or gift cards for a range of major retailers, including Coles-Myer, Bunnings, JB Hi-Fi and many more. 

There are also silver, gold, platinum, and diamond status levels and  ‘Prize SpikeHours’ where you can earn extra bonus points and entry into prize draws for the most competitive savers!

• Remember best practices

In the midst of all this energy-saving fun, don’t forget the basics. By getting into the habit of using best practices in your home, you can save hundreds of dollars each year.

Some of the most important best practices are:

• Set the heat between 18 degrees and 20 degrees Celsius – every degree over uses 10% more energy, which adds up to a big deal for your bill.
• Only heat the spaces you use, not the whole house. Use timers to heat the areas of the house you use at different times of the day. For example, start heating your bedroom 15 minutes before bed rather than keeping it toasty all day long.
• Turn all appliances off at the plug when not in use. Appliances in ‘active standby mode’, that are turned off but still switched on at the plug use 5 to 10 times more electricity. The biggest culprits are televisions, computers, and even washing machines. Taking the extra few seconds to turn these appliances off at the plug when you are not using them can add up to over $100 in savings each year. 
• Choose energy-efficient appliances—cheap heaters can use up to five times more electricity than a split-cycle air conditioner, so it’s worth the investment.
• Use solar power if possible.
• Use your provider’s energy tracking app to stay in control of your usage (if available).

• Switch your plan

Not all energy plans are equal. Each retailer offers a variety of market offers, including different electricity prices, solar feed-in tariffs, discounts, incentives, and conditions. Finding a plan that matches your needs can make you significant savings, particularly during winter when you’re using more energy than usual.

Comparing electricity plans every 12 months is the best way to ensure that you are not paying more than you need to for energy. 

Comparing plans from the many energy companies in Australia can be time-consuming. That’s where our comparison service comes in! Whether you are moving home or just looking for a better deal, the experts at Move-In Connect will make it easy. 

Our service is 100% free. Not only will we find you the best deal from our panel of preferred providers, but we’ll also arrange the switch for you. All you have to do is sit back and save!

To get started, call us at 1300 786 045 or enter your details online.

FAQs

1. Q:How can I save money on my electricity bill during winter?
   • A: If you’re smart about it, there are several ways to save money on your electricity bill during winter. Managing peak energy usage, getting creative with winter-warming activities, taking advantage of energy-saving rewards programs, remembering the best practices for smart energy consumption, and considering switching to better energy plans are effective ways to save on electricity bills during winter.
2. Q: How can I manage peak energy usage to save money?
   • A: A very important part of managing your bills during winter is by making sure you’re getting the least amount of consumption during peak hours. Know your peak hour rates and time and manage accordingly.
     
     Setting timers for heavy usage items like heating systems, hot water systems, and underfloor heating to operate during off-peak periods can significantly reduce electricity costs.
3. Q: Are there rewards programs for saving energy?
   • A: Yes, some energy retailers offer rewards for reducing energy usage during peak hours. Programs like Origin Energy’s ‘Spike’ provide bonus points redeemable for cash or gift cards for meeting energy-saving goals.
4. Q: What are some best practices for saving energy at home during winter?
   • A: Some best practices to save energy include: 
     • Setting the heat between 18 to 20 degrees Celsius
     • Heating only the spaces you use
     • Turning off appliances at the plug when not in use
     • Opting for energy-efficient appliances
     • Using solar power if available and 
     • Utilising energy-tracking apps
5. Q: How can I switch to a better energy plan?
   • A: Most energy plans have a fixed contract for a 12 month benefit period after which you are switched to their default rates. Therefore, comparing electricity plans annually and considering factors like electricity prices, solar feed-in tariffs, discounts, and incentives can help you find a plan that matches your needs and saves you money. Using a comparison service like Move-In Connect can simplify the process of finding and switching to a better energy plan