The easiest way to save money during winter is to try and lower you power bill. You’ll find heaps of excellent energy saving tips on the EECA Energy Wise website. Here are a few of our favourites.
If there are gaps around your doors and windows, seal them up so no warm air escapes and no cold air seeps in. You can buy caulk or rubber weather seal tape from any hardware store and it’s easy to install; here’s a handy how-to video from Bunnings.
Insulating your home does cost money but it’s an investment that will pay for itself in power bill savings fairly quickly. Just a little bit in the roof and under the floor (if you have access) will make a world of difference to the warmth of your home and the amount of energy it takes to heat it and keep it warm. If you’re on a tight budget consider just insulating the main living and sleeping areas.
Make sure your heat pump is in tip-top shape and running as efficiently as it can.
During winter it’s darker so the lights are on for longer. Installing energy efficient lighting will shave a little of the power bill. A good quality LED bulb can use up to 90% less energy and they have a much longer life span so while there is an initial cost to buy the bulb, it pays off in the long run. If you’re on a budget replace them one at a time as the money is available.
Keep curtains and blinds open during the day to let in any sun and close them at dusk to keep that warmth in and block the cold glass.
You can switch companies whenever you like. Shop around, they’re all offering the exact same product so make sure you’re getting it for the best price. Enter your address on this website and compare prices or check promocode
According to Energy Wise appliances left on standby could be costing you over $100!
Hot water heating accounts for over 20% of the energy you use. Taking faster showers is a surefire way to save money during winter. If a 15-minute shower costs around $1, cutting it down to just 5 minutes means it will only cost 33 cents. Over a year, that could save a family of 4 almost $1000!
Surely there is no such thing? After you’ve cooked something in the oven and it’s no longer consuming any power, leave the door open and let that lovely heat out into the kitchen. It’ll cost you nothing extra.
Sounds weird, right?! Well it is what it says it is – a sock full of rice. Cheap and easy to make and cheap and easy to heat. How it saves you money is that instead of boiling the jug to fill a hot water bottle (expensive!) you microwave your rice sock (much more energy efficient). Cuddle it, warm your hands with it, pop it in your slippers or in your bed.
Here are some other ways to save money during winter that aren’t related to your power bill:
If it’s time for an oil change, ask you mechanic if there’s a brand of oil that works better in the cold. And make sure the tyres are pumped up to the recommended pressure.
The average cost of a coffee is close to $4 and over a year that adds up to around $1000 or more! Save money by cutting down how many you buy, ordering a smaller size, or even making it at home and brining it with you in a thermos flask; invest in a coffee bean grinder and plunger or stovetop coffee maker and get that fresh jolt for a fraction of the cost.
Not only is this an energy efficient kitchen appliance, it’s the answer to saving money on grocery bills because you can buy the cheaper cuts of meat. Hearty casseroles, stews, pot roasts and soups are one of the highlights of winter; check out these scrummy recipes. Make a big batch so you can heat it up in the microwave later on – another energy efficient cooking device.
Another way to save money on your grocery bill in winter is by eating what’s in season. This will be the cheapest offering at the supermarket. Winter veggies are thinks like leeks, parsnips, yams, Brussells sprouts and kiwifruit.
Instead of spending money by going out to the movies, borrow books from the library for free. Get under a blanket with your nice warm rice sock and read away the day.