Step 3: Save energy, without losing comfort
Energy waste is the stuff you don’t need – heating unused rooms, cooling rooms so much that you need a jumper, or letting warmth slip away through gaps and windows.
Cutting waste doesn’t mean giving up comfort. It means using energy only where it’s needed. Stop waste, keep comfort. Small, smart changes can keep your home just as comfortable while lowering your bills.
There’s a lot of advice out there about saving energy, but most of it focuses on the little things. Your kettle, toaster, or charger aren’t the problem.
The biggest savings come from using your heating and cooling wisely. Small adjustments here can make a real difference to both your comfort and your bills.
Watch our video to see how to stop waste and stay comfortable:
Now let’s focus on the areas that make the biggest difference – your heating and cooling.
Make heating and cooling work for you
Heating and cooling take up a big chunk of your energy bill. The good news is you can stay warm (or cool) and still save money.
1. Use your split system for heating
If you’ve got a split-system air conditioner, it’s one of the most efficient and affordable ways to heat your home.
Many people only use them in summer — but they actually cost less to run than electric plug-in or gas heaters.
To keep yours running efficiently, clean the filters once a month. A simple clean helps it heat better and use less energy.
2. Small changes in temperature make a big difference to your energy bill
Every degree counts. If you’re in a T-shirt in the middle of winter, your heater’s probably set too high.
Try 20°C in winter (with a jumper) and 26°C in summer for comfort that doesn’t cost a fortune.
These small adjustments can make a noticeable difference to your energy bills while keeping your home comfortable.
3. Fix those leaks
You’ve paid for that heating and cooling – don’t let it escape.
Here’s how:
- Seal gaps around windows and doors
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Block any unused chimneys
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Close curtains and blinds at night to keep warm air in
4. Get cosy and shrink the space you heat or cool
Shrink the area you heat or cool by closing doors to unused rooms. Smaller spaces mean lower bills without sacrificing comfort.
Focusing energy on the spaces you use most keeps your home comfortable while reducing waste.
5. Switch off when it’s time to switch off
Running your heating or cooling overnight adds up fast. If you feel the cold, warm your bed with an electric blanket before you sleep – it costs about 10 cents a night.
In summer, use air conditioning only when you really need it. For milder nights, fans are a super cheap alternative – you could run 20 fans for the same price as one air conditioner.
You’ve learned how to stop waste and keep comfort, using energy where it counts.
If costs are a worry, you have the right to support. The next step walks you through the help you can access.
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