Reduce winter energy bills and boost your household budget
Do your electricity bills just keep rising and you’re finding it hard to keep up? These expert tips will help Australians reduce household energy usage and save money in the colder months, putting some breathing room back into your budget.
Winter brings more than just cold mornings and binge-watching your way through Netflix and Stan, it also brings a spike in power consumption and household energy costs. And nothing ruins a relaxing movie night faster than the arrival of a sky-high power bill. Whether you’re giving the PlayStation or Xbox a workout, or just trying to keep the kids warm without blowing the budget, staying indoors to avoid cold weather can cause your power usage to snowball fast.
With electricity costs already soaring and household budgets under pressure, winter is shaping up to be even tougher, especially with electricity tariffs rising by 2% to 8% from July 1, depending on where you live.
Now’s the perfect time to take control, reduce energy waste, and put simple, yet effective strategies in place to manage heating costs, control usage, and protect your household finances before the next bill hits.
How can I save on energy bills in winter without sacrificing comfort?
There are plenty of easy ways to cut back on electricity usage and keep your power bills in check this winter. By understanding how heating, appliances, lighting, and hot water systems affect your energy consumption, you can make smarter choices and find energy-efficient options to stay warm, save money, and maintain a comfortable home during the colder months.
“I keep my reverse cycle heater running at 19°C. We used to turn it on and off every time we left the house but re-heating the entire house actually uses more energy.”
Jay, MyBudget Client Services team
Top 5 tips to improve energy efficiency in winter
Here are some smart ways to slash your winter power bill:
1. Let the sun in
Open your curtains during the day to let sunlight warm your home naturally, it’s free heating!
2. Use ceiling fans in winter mode
Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans to push warm air back down. It’s a small switch that can make a big difference.
3. Seal gaps and insulate
Block draughts around doors and air leaks in windows with door snakes or weather sealing tape. Insulation helps your home retain heat longer.
4. Use cold water and eco cycles
Most of the energy used by washers and dishwashers is for heating water. Switch to cold cycles and use economy settings to save.
5. Make use of off-peak times
If your electricity plan includes off-peak rates, schedule high-energy tasks, like laundry or heating, to run during cheaper hours.
Want to get more of our biggest energy saving tips?
Our Energy Saving Checklist includes over 50 practical tips to reduce energy bills, from heating and hot water to lighting and fridge efficiency. Download it free and see how much you could save this winter.
“You might be eligible for energy concessions if you have a pensioner or seniors card, or a medical concession. Just Google ‘energy concessions + your state’ to check.”
Cheryl, MyBudget Marketing team
How can MyBudget help with budgeting for energy bills?
MyBudget helps take the guesswork out of budgeting, with expert support, automated bill payments, and a 12-month financial view. If winter bills are getting you down, we’re here to help.
Stay warm, and stay in financial control. Enquire online or call us today on 1300 300 922.