We know our Northern Hemisphere neighbours scoff when we whinge about our blistering, 17-degree winters – but we also know that our draughty Aussie homes are more like glorified tents in the colder months!

According to the 2022 Energy Consult, heating and cooling makes up 40 per cent of your household’s energy use. It’s no wonder, then, that some of us this year are still reeling from our winter power bills, especially if we’ve been cooped up inside or working from home more often.

We all know the cost of living is well and truly on the rise. By making a few small changes to your winter habits, you can cut down your energy bill and save money in the long run.

10 tips on how to save energy

Here are 10 tricks for you to try at home so you won’t need to pour yourself a glass of wine next time you open your electricity bill (no judgement). Plus, the planet will thank you!

1. Get a dehumidifier

The sweet spot for most of us is between 30 and 60 per cent relative humidity, and higher moisture in the air means we’re colder in winter and hotter in summer.

When we push moist air out of our homes our heaters work more efficiently, we’re more comfortable at lower temperatures and our walls are less likely to go mouldy. Boom!

2. Watch the windows

A sun-soaked room is a warm room, so keep windows open when the weather’s good and the sun’s facing the right direction. When it’s cloudy or dark, closed curtains reduce heat loss – the heavier the fabric, the cosier you’ll be.

3. Audit your appliances

Leaving the lights on when you’re not using them and keeping devices on standby all contribute to electricity bills that make us wince. We’re all spending more time plugged into technology while we’re at home, but turning off your devices at the wall when you’re not using them could save you more than $100 annually!

In the kitchen our ovens are the energy drainers, but don’t let that heat go to waste! Leave the oven door open when you’re done cooking and wait for that toasty, warm air (and inviting aroma of casserole) to fill your home. In the laundry, unless you’ve been rolling around in the mud, your day-to-day wear probably doesn’t require a hot wash setting.

All clothes can be washed on cold and for delicate fabrics, cold washing is even better. Go for hot if you’re washing grease stains, significant dirt or someone in your house is sick. Try and ditch the dryer if you can too. Hang your clothes inside and the washing fairies will dry them overnight.

In the bathroom take shorter, or less scalding showers. Yep, this one’s a bugger! But you’ll have more time in the AM, and quick, cooler showers are even better for your skin. We recommend turning showertime into showtime and choosing two shower songs to time yourself. But when those two songs are over, it’s time to go. If you’re flexible about when you use the washer, dryer, dishwasher, oven or any other energy vampires – electricity companies will charge you a lower rate at off-peak times.

4. Rug up

Okay, we’re sure we’re about to sound like your mum or dad guarding the heater and telling you to “just put on a jumper”. But bear with us! When it comes to ways to save energy, they have a point.

That being said, choose quality over fluff. Our winter jumper pick is wool for its insulation and moisture-wicking properties. Worried about scratchiness? Layer up underneath or go for merino wool. If you’re vegan, you should keep cotton, hemp and linen on your radar.

5. Bring out the hot water bottle

An oldie but a goodie! It’ll stop you from shivering in bed and keeping the heating on all night can be incredibly dehydrating – not to mention expensive.

During the daytime, you can also curl up with one on the couch and use the water to top up your plants.

6. Renovate smarter

Let’s face it, those 70s single-glazed windows aren’t doing our winter wallets any favours. Many of us are revamping our homes at the moment, and if you’re renovating with energy efficiency in mind you can make brilliant long-term savings.

If you only have a bit to spend on energy efficiency, invest in good insulation. As heat rises, you should firstly concentrate on ceiling insulation, then the walls, and lastly the floor. Next, figure out which rooms are warm and sunny in winter and cool in summer – these should be your communal areas.

Make sure they’re sectioned off with doors so you can blast your heaters in a smaller space. Lastly, if you haven’t switched to power-saving LED lighting … what are you waiting for?

7. Keep doors and curtains shut

We use different areas of our home at times. If you’re spending all day in the living area, you probably don’t need your bedroom to be toasty (sorry teddy!). Another way to keep your house warm in winter is to shut the doors to rooms you’re not in. Drawing the curtains will also help keep the warm air in and the cool air out.

8. Thaw frozen food in the fridge

Meal prepping saves you precious time - and it can also save you money! Before you get going for the day, pop your frozen food in the fridge so that it thaws by dinnertime. That way, you’ll reduce the time and (literal) energy you spend on cooking. Keeping a lid on your pots and pans will also speed up the process.

9. Compare energy providers

Have you got the best energy deal? Doing a little bit of online research can help you find out. Set yourself up for savings success by comparing different energy offers. Energy Made Easy is a free government tool that can help you get started.

10. Warm up the old fashioned way

Nothing helps you peel off the layers like a bit of exercise. If you’re feeling chilly, before you reach for the heater, let’s get that blood pumping. Doing some star jumps or dancing like no one’s watching can warm you up from the inside out.

Living with a loved one? Huddle up like penguins. Got a furry pet? Pop them on your lap. If all that seems like a bit too much effort, a nice hot cuppa should do the trick.

Remember, if you want to reduce power bills, every cent counts. You might find that these small money saving tips can make a big difference.

Save money with a Virgin Money Go Account

With a Virgin Money Go Account and Boost Saver bundle on the Virgin Money app, you can have access to handy tools to help you save. Track your spending, lock your savings in, and keep track of bills, all within the app.

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