How To Save On Utility Bills In The Winter: 10 Tips

10th May 2023

Money Management

Getting hit with a hefty utility bill is never a pleasant feeling. In fact, the average Australian is expected to increase their average electricity usage over 14% during wintertime. That works out to an average of $466 per quarter for electricity bills for most households, according to AGL.

With this huge increase in electricity usage, you may be wondering how to save on utility bills in the winter. Luckily, we have shared our top energy-saving tips for heating your home this winter, plus how our cash loans can help you out. This means you can stress less and save those precious coins. Read on to learn more.

Avoid long showers

One of the easiest winter energy-saving tips is to avoid having long showers. Although it can be very tempting to take a long shower to warm yourself up, water heating actually accounts for 25% of your household electricity use, according to the SA Government. So, your best bet is to cut down on your long showers and rug up instead this winter.

how to save on utility bills this winter - avoid long showers

Weather-proof your windows and doors

Doors and windows tend to let more heat escape than you would think. But, don’t stress as there’s an easy fix. Simply purchase some draft strips or excluders from your local hardware store and install them where the warm air is leaking out. Not only do these prevent the heat from escaping, but they also help to keep the cold air out of your home.

how to save on utility bills this winter - weather-proof your windows and doors

Layer up

One of the most cost-effective and easy ways to save on your utility bills this winter is by layering up! Throw on your favourite comfy sweater, socks, slippers and sweatpants. Don’t forget to use a comfy blanket, wear a beanie to keep your head warm and drink plenty of tea!

how to save on utility bills this winter - layer up

Reduce your oven use

Ovens are well-known for burning through energy, which is one of the main reasons why your electricity bill tends to be higher during the winter months. Try to use your oven as rarely as possible and when you use it a good tip is to leave the oven door open to use the residue heat to warm the house.

how to save on utility bills this winter - reduce your oven use

Wash and dry full loads of laundry

Instead of doing frequent small loads of washing, switch up to only doing full loads to avoid consuming too much energy this winter. Smaller loads will only end up using more water and electricity, leading to hefty utility bills. This can easily be fixed with larger loads, plus it means less work for you!

how to save on utility bills this winter - wash and dry full loads of laundry

Take advantage of the winter sun

During sunny days in winter, make sure to open all your curtains and windows to let the sun in and heat your home. This is a great energy saving tip to heat your home that doesn’t require any heating costs whatsoever. But, as soon as the sun sets, make sure to close all your windows and curtains to trap in the heat.

how to save on utility bills this winter - take advantage of the winter sun

Purchase a hot water bottle

A hot water bottle acts the same as an electric blanket and is the perfect way to stay warm during the cooler months. Simply boil your kettle, carefully pour some hot water inside and close the bottle. Another great tip is to leave this under your blankets in your bed 20 minutes before you hop into bed. If you don’t already have a hot water bottle at home, you can purchase these from most department stores.

how to save on utility bills this winter - purchase a hot water bottle

Invest in an energy-saving heating system

If you really can’t bear the cold weather and don’t want to use a reverse cycle air conditioner, then your best option is to invest in an energy-saving heating system. There are plenty of affordable options on the market, with some costing as little as $100. If you’re looking to spend more on a high quality heating system and don’t have the out of pocket cash, then your best option is to get a cash loan from a finance company (like Red Tree Finance). If you need one as soon as possible, you can also get a same day or instant loan.

how to save on utility bills this winter - invest in an energy-saving heating system

Use a smart thermostat

If you have a regular thermostat, you may want to consider investing in a smart thermostat. They allow you to easily turn down the heat whilst you’re sleeping and when you’re not in the home. Plus, you can set it to turn on before you arrive home.

how to save on utility bills this winter - use a smart thermostat

Change your ceiling fan to winter mode

Although most ceiling fans are used to cool down your room, they can also be used to circulate the warm air around your home. Simply do this by reversing the motor in your fan so that it rotates clockwise at a low speed. This will push all the warm air down into the room to keep you warm.

how to save on utility bills this winter - change your ceiling fan to winter mode

Save on your bills this winter with Red Tree Finance

Now that you know how to save on utility bills this winter, you may be thinking of upgrading your current heating system for a more energy-efficient one. Luckily, there’s an easy way to keep yourself warm this winter with an online loan from Red Tree Finance. Our online application is 100% online and secure. Plus, you will receive a decision within 2 business hours. It’s as easy as that!

FAQS

Yes! Leaving your heater on overnight can account for about 3% of your energy costs, so it’s best to skip leaving the heater on at night.

It is always more expensive to heat the whole house, especially if you live in a bigger home. However if you are living in a small space and it’s well insulated, then it may not cost much more to heat the entire house.

It’s recommended to keep your heating between 18°C and 20°C. This is because every degree you increase your temperature by, you can add up to 10% onto your energy bill, according to Energy.gov.

The information provided in this blog is of a general nature and is provided without considering your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial, investment, or other professional advice.

Before making any financial decisions or taking action based on the information presented, you are strongly encouraged to assess its appropriateness in light of your individual circumstances. Red Tree Finance does not intend to provide personalised financial advice, and you should seek independent financial, legal, tax, and other relevant advice tailored to your unique situation.

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