keeping warm

In colder parts of Australia, heating your home in winter can be very expensive. Here are some tips on how you could reduce your heating bills:

• Wear more clothes: by putting on an extra jumper or by covering up your feet, you might reduce the need entirely to switch on the heater
• Put an extra blanket on the bed instead of turning on the electric blanket
• Close-off rooms so you don't heat rooms that are not being used
• Seal your windows and doors: gaps can waste up to 25% of heat that you use to warm the house
• Heavy curtains can help keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Try to keep them closed on cold days but always open any north-facing blinds or curtains to let in the natural warmth on sunny days
• Seal the chimney if you have one
• By properly insulating your house, you might be able to save 50% of the total cost of heating and cooling. Tip: the higher the "R" rating on insulation, the more comfortable you will be.
• Gaps around external doors and windows can be sealed using a kit from a hardware store. If your home has wooden floors, you can fill gaps in floorboards and skirting with newspaper, beading or sealant.
• More than one third of heat loss can occur through uncovered windows. By using close-fitting windows or double glazing you can significantly reduce that figure.
• Be careful with skylights - if not designed correctly heat can easily leak out during winter but be trapped during summer