8 ways to keep your house warm (and save money) this winter
How can you save with your heating bill this winter?
Simple changes you can make to keep the warmth in and the cold out as well as your home more energy-efficient. Who doesn’t love saving money!
1. Use your curtains
Heat from the sun is free so make the most of it. Open your curtains and let the sunlight in during the day to make use of this free heat. When it gets dark, shut your curtains, which act as another layer of insulation and keep warmth in your rooms. You should also make sure you don’t have any leaks or gaps so that the warm air can stay in and the cold air stays out – this also helps to reduce condensation.
2. Use timers on your central heating
Programming your heating to turn on a little earlier – such as 30 minutes before you get up in the morning – but at a lower temperature is cheaper than turning it on just as you need it at a higher temperature. But don’t make the mistake of leaving your heating on low all day – because then you’re just paying for heat when you don’t need it.
3. Go with the flow
Be aware of how the hot air moves around your house. It's tempting to move the couch as close as possible to the heater, or to put your wet laundry in front of it during a rainy week, but this will restrict the flow of hot air around your house. To ensure you get the most out of your heat source, make sure nothing is blocking the flow.
To make your heating more efficient, close doors to rooms you're not using – there's no point heating the spare room if no-one's in there.
4. Maximise your insulation
When it comes to heat, around 25% is lost through the roof. This can be easily reduced by installing 25cm of insulation throughout your roof. It’s also worth seeing what’s going on in your walls, as around a third of the heat in an uninsulated home is lost this way. Although it’s not as cheap to install as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation could save a significant a year in heating bills.
Saving on your electricity bill can be as simple as lowering the temperature by a few degrees.
5. Set it right
A standard air conditioner’s temperature should be set to 25 to 27 degrees for cooling in summer, and around 18 to 20 degrees for heating in winter. This is to ensure maximum energy efficiency from your unit. Keep in mind that these temperatures assume you live in a moderate climate, but as we all know, Australia is a land of many climates.
What the above table essentially suggests is that air conditioners will have to work harder to offset harsher climates. Those living in warmer climates should set their air con cooling temperatures a little lower, while those living in cooler climates should set their air con’s heater a little warmer.
6. Block out the draughts
Even a simple solution such as a making your own sausage dog draught excluder will help keep the warmth in your home. If the space you’re trying to heat or cool is poorly sealed or insulated, your air conditioner will have to work harder to reach the temperature you have set (i.e. if you’re trying to cool your home down to 24°, you may have to set your air conditioner’s temperature to 20°). This can be costly.
Products that can make a difference include:
Door snakes
Weather seal tape
Silicon sealant or caulk
Roller door seals
PVC door strips
Storm-proof seals
Brush door seals
Auto-lift door seals
7. Upgrade your system
It almost goes without saying that you should try purchase an energy efficient air conditioner. An air conditioner will have a label with two star ratings. The blue one represents its cooling efficiency rating, while the orange one is for heating efficiency. Plus, if it’s new, you’re less likely to have any issues going into the winter season.
8. Switch ceiling fans to reverse
When you change your clocks at the end of daylight saving, turn your ceiling fans on reverse (most models have a reverse switch). This makes the blades turn anti-clockwise and, since warm air rises, it'll push the warm air from your heating system back down towards the floor.
Need More Help?
Our friendly team at Warrnambool Air Conditioning & Electrical can check and service your current system, supply a free quote for a replacement, and talk you through your options.
Warrnambool Air Conditioning & Electrical
Email: admin@wboolace.com
Mobile: 0400 653 157