10 Cost-Saving Tips To Keep Warm In Winter

By Joshua Chadwick June 21st

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With the sun setting sooner and the temperature dropping drastically, it’s safe to say that winter has arrived.

The coldest months of the year can also become the most expensive months of the year, with the need to warm up amidst the cold weather leading to high energy bills.

Thankfully, there are ways to stay toasty without turning up the thermostat and blasting the heating system that’ll save your wallet from feeling empty this winter.

Multiple Layers Of Clothing

It goes without saying you need to dress for the cold, but you can’t just rely on a layer or two and your body temperature to get you by.

Once you start to feel the chill, don’t rush to the radiator to fill the room with warm air. Instead, throw on a jacket on top of the t-shirt or even another pair of warm socks to keep the heating bills from sending a shiver down your spine.

Keep The Heat Inside

Turning the heater on only for the heat to seep out through the cracks of the house is practically throwing money out of the house.

Investigating the source of any cold air entering the house is a great way to ensure you keep the house warm. The most common source could be a poor sealed window or door, which could be sealed again with a draught snake or with the use of caulk or weather-sealing rubber strips.

Turn The Dial Down

On incredibly cold days, it’s tempting to turn the heat up and set the room temperature to the max.

Instead, try to keep the heat settings to around 18-20°, which is considered to be the most cost-efficient temperature when utilising central heating. Consider rugging up and adding a few layers should you be used to a cozy +22° degrees in the home.

Did you know

Every 1° higher than 18-20° will add roughly 10% to your heating bill, so it pays to turn the heating down a little!

Heat A Water Bottle

This tip is really turning back the clock as a hot water bottle under the covers is a tried and true method that has stood the test of time.

Simply prop your hot water bottle (or even a heating pad) under the sheets for a few minutes before diving under the covers and a warm paradise awaits you. This trick is a great alternative to using an electric blanket and is a great DIY way to keep your duvet toasty.

Brew Warm Liquid Drinks

While on the topic of hot water, warm liquids are great to keep the body heat flowing. Hot drinks, like hot chocolate or herbal teas, will see you drink your way to warmth quickly.

Alternatively, coffee lovers will know that a cup of coffee will keep the blood pumping in the cold and dreary mornings, not only providing an energy boost but also keeping your body temperature high.

Did you know

In a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), caffeine has been proved to increase your core body temperature, so why not pour yourself a cuppa?

Cut Back On Long Showers

While relaxing in the hot water raining down can be soothing in the cold and damp season, stepping out of the water proves to be a horrid shock to the system as your body acclimates to the change in temperature.

To counteract this, a quick shower will not only cost less but will also give your body less time to adjust to the hot water, making your subsequent exit easier. If this sounds like a far cry from your usual showers, drying off in the shower once it’s steamy and full of hot air will make the process a little easier!

Winter Curtain Call

As mentioned earlier, windows, doors and floors are the primary sources of heat loss in an uninsulated home, but thankfully for the former, they can also be a benefit in winter.

With the addition of some heavier curtains, heat will find a harder time escaping the home. Simply ensure the curtains are left open during the day to get some natural warmth from the sunlight into the home and keep the warmth inside by closing the curtains at night.

Insulate The Ceiling

Insulation in the home can be the difference between a toasty winter with a small energy bill and a shivering winter where you’re left with nothing to spend.

When warm air rises from the heat vents of your living room, heat can seep straight out of the home through the ceiling. Be sure to get your ceiling a proper layer of insulation to stay warm.

Did you know

According to the Australian Government, 25-35% of heat loss in winter is due to a poorly insulated ceiling!

Redirect Flow

It may seem pretty counter-productive to have the ceiling fan running when you’re trying to avoid the cold, but fans are useful all year round.

Typically, ceiling fans spin in an anti-clockwise direction, which is done to create a breeze during the warmer seasons. Fans also come with the ability to reverse the direction, allowing you to push the hot air from the heater back towards the ground and keeping you comfortable as you snuggle up at night.

Clear The Ducts

Heating vents can tend to become covered over the summer, whether it be by rugs or furniture that previously wouldn’t cover the ducts in the winter.

Clearing anything obstructing the vents will allow the heating system to work effortlessly and use less energy. This also includes cleaning the air filters, as dirty filters will greatly reduce the energy efficiency output you’ll crave when it’s a chilling day outside.

Connect Your Utilities Today

For any further questions about moving home as a whole, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to moving house, which you can check out here. If you’re looking to get an early start on maintaining your new home, check out our home maintenance checklist here.

If you need help getting your utilities connected sorted, please call MyConnect on 1300 854 478 or use the Get Connected form here! All residents from Victoria (VIC), Queensland (QLD), New South Wales (NSW), Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and South Australia (SA) can get connected this very business day. If you’re a first home buyer and you’re unsure about using a utility connection company, this post here can assist you. FAQs can be found here.