Like it or not, cold weather is unavoidable and we have to be well-prepared for it. Winter is the time of the year when power bills can get so high that we have a feeling as if we were working only to pay them off. Luckily, this situation can be resolved easily if you’re ready to implement certain changes and upgrades to your home. In order to help you out with this project, we’ve prepared a list of 10 amazing tips on how to save money on your bills this winter. Let’s take a look!
1. Insulate your roof
Insulating your walls is important, but it’s not really enough. It has been estimated that a house loses up to 40% of heat through the roof, which leads us to the conclusion that we need to get it insulated as soon as possible. On top of that, roof insulation will help you deal with other issues like mold and damp as well, thus preserving your home and increasing its value significantly. So, in case you decide to sell it one day, you’ll easily find a serious buyer who will be ready to invest in it.
2. Lower the thermostat
Have you ever caught yourself sweating in your home in the middle of winter? If the answer is yes, you’re probably turning your thermostat up too high and that’s a huge waste of energy. It has been shown that you can save as much as 10% on your energy bills if you just lower your thermostat by one degree. You won’t even feel the difference in temperature and still manage to save a significant amount of money every month. How awesome is that!?
3. Switch to solar energy
More and more people are switching to solar energy every year due to the numerous benefits it offers. First of all, solar energy is renewable and, in comparison to fossil fuels or nuclear energy, it doesn’t have any negative consequences on our environment. However, aside from helping the preservation of nature by going solar, you’ll also save immensely on your energy bills during the entire year. We understand that the costs of installing solar panels may be slightly off-putting, but we guarantee you that this is an investment you’ll never regret. Just imagine being able to earn more than 1000$ in savings every year owing to this state-of-the-art technology. It’s definitely worth it, don’t you agree?
4. Invest in a high-quality air-conditioning system
We all use our air conditioning to help us survive long hot summer days, but did you know that air conditioning can be used effectively for heating as well? HVAC systems have gone through a huge expansion over the last few years, by the way. A recent report has shown that, for instance, the Australian HVAC market is expected to reach $3 billion milestone by 2022.
The two most popular options are definitely ducted and split systems. The first one uses a series of ducts that are installed in every room, while in case you opt for the split one, you’ll get an outdoor unit and the indoor one which has the heating coil, blower and air filter. No matter which one you go for, installing and servicing your system should be left to experienced technicians for air conditioning in Sydney. In order to successfully reduce your energy bills, you need to leave the maintenance to certified professionals and learn how to properly use your HVAC system. With this in mind, you can check out the following table and find out what the optimum temperatures for air conditioning are.
source: Canstar blue
5. Heat only the room you are in
Another common mistake people make is that they heat their entire home, even though they are actually spending time in a few rooms. So, instead of wasting energy on heating an empty guest room, you should shut its door and thus accelerate the heating process in the rest of the house and minimize the energy waste. As you can see, even the smallest changes can make a big difference.
6. Set a timer
No one likes coming home to a freezing house, but keeping the heating on when you are not home is an absolutely reckless way to spend your money. Luckily, we have a solution – install a timer. This way, you can set your heater to turn on and warm up the space just before you arrive.
7. Bring in a rug
There is nothing worse than having to put your bare feet on a cold wooden or concrete floor. Unfortunately, no matter how much you warm up your place, your floor will probably stay cool and destroy the cosy vibe of your home. However, there is always a good solution to every problem and in this case, we are talking about rugs, especially sheepskin and faux fur ones. They will keep your feet warm and you won’t need to run to the heater constantly.
8. Let the sunshine in
The sun may be less strong in the winter, but this doesn’t mean that you should block it out completely. Even though you may not receive much of it, sunshine will definitely help you keep your house warm. So, it’s time you opened the curtains and let the daylight in.
9. Smart clothes washing
It has been estimated that up to 20% of energy is spent on hot water in an average household. Therefore, you should try to be economical when washing your clothes. For example, you can start by adjusting the amount of water in your washing machine to the size of the load, as well as avoid turning it on too often and washing just a couple of shirts per load.
10. Explore other cooking options
Last but not least, cooking spends a considerable amount of energy, so it’s advisable to explore different options. For instance, cooking with gas is the right way to go, but not the only one. You can always try out a pressure cooker or a microwave which uses 5 times less energy than an electric stove. Finally, simmering pots are also a great energy-efficient alternative which can perform equally as good as conventional ones.
As you can see, saving some money on your energy bills this winter is not that difficult. You just need to think through all the options and find a way to reduce your energy consumption as much as possible. Lastly, remember that it’s important to make certain investments so that you can achieve your goal in the long run.
