Reducing your power bill

[Jason]

It's nearly winter and the temperature is starting to drop, particularly at night. Unfortunately, when the temperature drops, our power bills tend to rise dramatically.

In the discussion below, please share your tips for saving energy and keeping your power bill as low as possible. 

What are some of the ways that you save energy in your home?

Jason

[Brad]

Bookmarked it @Andy_Mann

My main Polar gripe is the lack of technical drawings to know how much width is needed for framing.

They do hide an instalation guide for windows only and not to scale.

http://www2.polarwindows.com.au/help/InstallationGuide.pdf

Anyway I have a somewhat related problem to fix in the laundry before I can work on the shed doors and windows. New post time tomorrow.

[Jason]

Have any new Workshop members got some tips for keeping your power bill as low as possible this winter?

Jason

[Kermit]

I'm always turning the heater down or off but then this happens...

[Isobel]

Good timely story on the importance of insulation as we head into winter - https://www.domain.com.au/news/lack-of-insulation-proper-fittings-mean-australian-houses-are-too-col...

[Jason]

There are some good tips for heating different homes in this article from our friends at Handyman - http://www.handyman.net.au/heating-every-home

Hope you find it useful.

Jason

[Isobel]

More tips here - https://www.domain.com.au/advice/can-heat-home-less/

Stay warm everyone!

[Jason]

Now that the weather is warm in many parts of the country, it would be interesting to hear your ideas for keeping your energy bills as low as possible in the summer. Air conditioners in particular are very expensive to run.

Thanks,

Jason

[Isobel]

@Jason

Blinds - both indoor and outdoor. You need to stop the sun from warming up the house before its too late. I think blinds can save a lot of money in the long run. 

[TonyJ]

Go solar! We're really happy with how our new solar system is reducing our bills. We're hoping for a zero bill over summer. Thanks again to the members who provided advice a few months back

https://www.workshop.com.au/t5/Outdoor-Living/Feedback-on-new-solar-system/m-p/13268

[Isobel]

Looks like the best tip is just to ensure you are with the right energy provider. I can't believe the difference between the lowest and highest in this table - $2700 a year! 

The Canstar Blue Energy Insights Report, which compared 113 electricity plans in NSW and Victoria, found the cheapest plan cost $1800 per year, while the most expensive cost $4500, based on a five-person household. 

Hope everyone is staying cool without using the air con too much!