Interested in heating tips? – This quick list will help you reduce on any inefficiencies around your home.
We’re fortunate enough in Sydney and New South Wales to be able to significantly reduce our energy costs for most of the warmer months. So what can we do as we come into the cooler part of the year to keep those costs low? Here are 10 simple heating tips to help you out.
1. Cover all bare floors
If your home isn’t furnished with carpet, consider getting lounge or bedroom rugs. They add comfort and heat retention, especially if there is little or no floor insulation.
2. Raise the temperature slowly
Don’t go full-throttle when you first start to feel a chill. Quickly raising your heat pump’s temperature activates the heat strip, which uses tonnes of energy. Compromise by starting at a lower temperature and popping on a jumper.
3. Lower your thermostat
During the winter you can set your thermostat to 21 degrees and still be comfortable. Also remember to lower it when you leave the house during the day. There is no point heating an empty house.
4. Close the flue in your fireplace
You can heatproof it even more by installing glass doors to keep in the warm air.
5. Limit your use of portable heaters
They’re great for “spot” heating but running a 1,500-watt heater 24/7 can be expensive. It’s also pretty bad for the environment.
6. Don’t block air vents
Heaters are often fixed to or placed underneath windows since this is where the cold draft comes from. But be careful not to cover with drapes and furniture since this will prevent proper air flow. It’s also a high fire risk.
7. Heat your home with the sun’s help
Even in the winter, Australia gets a lot of sun compared to many other countries. Use that towards your advantage by leaving window shades or blinds open during the daytime. Consider using solar heat to supplement your normal heating source.
8. Cook with the oven
If you’re using an electric oven, then this is definitely one for you. Cooking with the oven means you’re already investing energy and money into its use. So you may as well use it to heat your home as well. After cooking, leave the door open for the hot air to flow into the room instead of keeping the door shut.
9. Change the filters
For optimum efficiency, change the filters in your heating system every month.
10. Lower your thermostat for holidays
If you’re going on vacation during the winter months, turn the thermostat off only if you’re away for an extended period of time. If you’re only away for the weekend don’t turn it off, you’ll spend too much energy heating the place up again. Lower it to 18 degrees instead.
Got any other handy heating tips for keeping warm in the winter months? Share with us through the form below!