In this Canstar Blue guide, we share our top tips on how to help reduce your electricity bill in winter.
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Tips to lower your power bill in winter:
1. Compare energy plans
The usage and supply rates charged under your energy plan will generally have the biggest impact on your electricity bills.
Energy providers often offer better rates to attract new customers, so if you haven’t compared plans recently, you may find a cheaper offer with the same or a different provider that’s only available to new customers. Customers who haven’t switched their energy plan in a year or more might find that they are on their energy provider’s standard offer plan, which is priced at the Default Market Offer (DMO) or Victorian Default Offer (VDO) price and so more likely to be more expensive than market offer plans.
Thanks to the introduction of the Better Bills Guideline, your electricity provider is now required to inform you on your next bill if they have a cheaper offer available. However, you can also see how your current plan stacks up across all energy providers by using Canstar Blue’s free comparison tool. If you have negotiated with your current provider and are still unhappy, then it may be time to switch providers.
Canstar Blue has listed the cheapest electricity deals below.
Cheap electricity deals
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid energy network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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11% Less than reference price |
$1,614 Price/year (estimated) |
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18% Less than reference price |
$1,491 Price/year (estimated) |
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Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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10% Less than VDO |
$1,304 Price/year (estimated) |
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Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from our referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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4% Less than reference price |
$1,990 Price/year (estimated) |
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2. Be mindful of your heating habits
Fujitsu, a leading manufacturer of air conditioners, recommends setting the thermostat on your air conditioner or heater to 19-21°C to optimally heat or cool your home.
Other winter energy-saving ideas are:
- Keep the doors of unused rooms closed while running heating in the area you’re using.
- Keep your heater set at a moderate temperature for consistent warmth, rather than choosing a high temperature then turning the heater on and off to maintain it.
- Place door snakes or another draught-excluder inside external doors to stop cold draughts entering from outside. Ensuring your windows and doors are properly sealed will also help keep chilly air out.
- Try using blankets or heated blankets or throws to keep yourself warm before switching on the heater.
- Cover hard floors with rugs or, if possible, install carpet. According to the Carpet Institute of Australia, uninsulated floors can account for 10-20% of your home’s heat loss.
- Take advantage of residual heat by opening your oven door once you’ve finished cooking and it’s switched off. Remember that the oven surface will remain hot to touch. Open windows and curtains during warmer days to allow sunlight to warm your room.
- Upgrade your electric heater to a more energy-efficient model.
3. Consider solar panels
Installing a solar system has the potential to reduce the amount of electricity you need to buy from an energy retailer.
It could cost several thousand dollars to install, but some solar panels can pay for themselves in as little as five years. Solar panels can involve an upfront outlay of several thousand dollars, but using SolarQuotes’ savings calculator can help to work out whether solar is a worthwhile investment in your circumstances.
If you already have solar, make sure you’re on a good solar feed-in tariff (FiT) by comparing your current plan to the following solar-specific electricity deals.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
4. Boost your home insulation
Insulation is one of the most important elements of home energy efficiency. According to the Victorian Government’s Sustainability Victoria site, a fully insulated property can save 40-50% on heating and cooling costs, compared to a non-insulated one. That’s because well-insulated ceilings and walls allow less heat to enter your home in summer and keep warmth in during the cooler months.
Installing wall insulation may be something to tackle if renovating because the internal plasterboard has to be removed for the installation to be fitted into the cavity. However, installing ceiling insulation can be done without ripping out the ceiling, so it is an option even when not renovating. There are online DIY guides on property insulation for those with the appropriate skill set, but if not, consult a professional insulator.
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5. Install double-glazed windows
Double-glazed windows are not only suitable for cold climates; they also prevent the sun’s rays from getting inside in hot weather. This makes them an investment worth considering regardless of your location. Windows are an energy drain because heat can travel through a single pane of glass, but double-glazing stops the heat flow, reflecting it inside in winter and outside in summer.
Double-glazed windows are made with two panes of glass with an air gap between them. And new technology has taken energy-efficient glass one step further with thermal glazing. Thermal glazing is transparent coating applied to glass windows for even better reflection of heat. Thermal glazing, when combined with double glazing, can provide superior insulation when compared to standard single glazing so should help lower electricity costs even further by reducing the need for heating and cooling.
6. Invest in automated timers
Automated timers and sensors leave the hassle out of remembering to turn appliances off. Many of these timers have countdown, weekend/weekday and summer time functions, which gives users better control over standby appliances.
Automation can be used on your heaters, heated blankets and your hot water heat pump so they’re only on when you’re home. Many of these automated timers are also smartphone compatible, giving you complete control over your appliances and heating.
Are there other technologies to help you manage your energy costs that you are missing out on for your home? Check with Canstar Blue’s energy-saving gadgets guide.
7. Use old-fashioned energy saving ideas
If you are looking for more winter energy saving tips, the following ideas are stricter but may help reduce energy usage.
Some strict winter energy-saving tips are:
- Reduce shower time to two minutes and brush your teeth at the bathroom sink.
- Keep the air conditioner’s thermostat at a constant temperature. Optimal temperature is usually between 19°C to 21°C.
- Use the cold cycle on your washing machine.
- Switch your washing machine and dishwasher to eco modes and only run them when they are full.
- Switch to using a slow cooker rather than an oven. Synergy, one of Western Australia’s largest energy providers, says that a slow cooker uses around 0.7 kWh (kilowatt hour) compared to an oven that uses an estimated 2.2 kWh.
- Avoid using the clothes dryer by taking advantage of any sunny weather possible.
When it comes to electricity, being diligent pays off. If you receive an electricity bill that is unusually high, consider how you may have used electricity differently over that payment period.
If all else fails, give your energy provider a call and ask them if there has been a change to your usage rates or supply charges, or if you’ve lost a particular discount for some reason. If your best efforts to conserve energy and negotiate with your provider don’t help lower your bills, it may be time to compare and switch if a cheaper plan is available.
Image Credit: N K/Shutterstock.com
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