When winter comes, people tend to spend more time at home and end up using more energy than usual. Here’s how to cut spending on energy costs in winter as well as some easy ways to keep warm and cosy. Before getting into these helpful tips, it’s better to know where the average Australian household uses the most energy.
Buy warm clothes for winter
Allocate a portion of your heating cost to buying cheap household winter clothes. Pick out materials that retain heat such as fleece and wool. Try to get jumpers, tracksuits, thermal layers, socks or slippers and the likes from affordable retailers such as Kmart or Lowes.
Wear a dressing gown or cosy jumper before turning the heater on and then see how you feel. It’s much better to wear several thin layers of clothing during winter. This way helps with insulation and makes it more convenient to just add or remove clothing according to the temperature.
Instead of electric blankets, take a hot water bottle with your blankets to bed. Also, keep your feet warm with socks or slippers because this helps your body retain heat.
Lock in the heat in winter
Trap heat during the day and keep it in at night. At least 1/3 of winter heat can leak out from windows. Open the curtains or blinds during the day and shut them at night to stop heat from escaping. Make sure the bathroom windows are also closed.
Seal up holes in walls or foundations as any holes or cracks will allow heat to escape. Use gap filler for cracks in the wall, a weather stripper for windows, and door snakes to stop cold draughts from coming in.
Reverse cycle air conditioning
Use the reverse cycle of an air conditioner for a much cheaper cost than gas or electric heaters. With an energy-efficient air conditioner, it costs about 30 cents to warm up the house before work, $1.50 if you use it all day. Compared to ducted gas which can cost you as much as $4.80 for all-day use.
Monitor use and consider off-peak plans
With traditional metres, you have to wait and see what your actual power use is when the bill arrives. Consider installing a smart metre to enable you to monitor use yourself. You may as well consider switching your energy plan for either off-peak water heating or a time-of-use electricity plan.
Switch energy provider
Check if you’re getting better value from your energy provider. There is a free Australian government energy price comparison service where all providers are required to give data of their plans.
Use the ASAG Reverse Mortgage for your Day-to-day Expenses
The ASAG team supports our Australian customers who are about to enter retirement or already in retirement by offering our equity release solutions to help supplement their retirement income. One of which is our reverse mortgage.
With the use of ASAG Reverse Mortgage, you can access the wealth that’s built up in your home without selling. There’s also no ongoing payments involved with the loan because it is paid off when you permanently leave your home, either to downsize, move to aged care, or you pass away. The funds can be used for any purposes you see fit, which may include your Day-to-day Expenses in retirement.
We can assist you with further details on how our reverse mortgage works. Our lines are open on 1300 002 724 and at info@asagfirst.com.au so you can contact us or send your enquiries about our equity release facility.
You can also get started by using our free tool below to assess the available equity in your home.