Energy Tips
15 Ways To Save On Your Energy Costs This Winter!
Staying cozy can come at a cost. Read below for some easy ways to save this winter.
- What Answers You’ll Get On This Page
Important Points
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Electricity prices are shaped by several factors, but seasonal demand plays a major role.
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According to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), electricity usage tends to spike during winter as households use more heating and keep lights on longer.
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The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has forecasted that household electricity bills could increase by 2.5% to 8.9% in South East Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales¹. This follows the AER’s draft decision to raise the Default Market Offer (DMO), which is the government-regulated price cap that limits how much retailers can charge customers on standard electricity plans.
The good news? There are plenty of simple, effective ways to cut down your energy consumption without sacrificing comfort. Let’s dive into how.
Tips for General Household Energy Usage
1. Compare Your Energy Plan
Winter can drive energy costs up, but the reality is that many households are already overpaying. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), more than 80% of households² in the National Electricity Market (NEM) are not on the cheapest available electricity plan.
As temperatures drop, heating and lighting use typically increases, adding additional pressure on your energy bill. The solution? It might be time for a new energy plan.
2. Seal Drafts and Openings
Gaps around doors and windows can let warm air escape. This effectively makes your heating systems work harder to keep a comfortable temperature intact. According to the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water, filling gaps to stop your warm or cool air from escaping can reduce your energy bill by up to 25%³. Use door snakes, weather seals, or temporary gap fillers to keep the warmth in and the cold out.
3. Be Aware of ‘Phantom Power’
Many electronic devices consume power even when they’re not in active use, a phenomenon known as ‘phantom power’. This energy drain can account for up to 10% of your household electricity bill³. By turning off televisions, chargers, and other appliances that aren’t in use, you can effectively eliminate unnecessary power waste.
Expert Tip
Use a surge protector with a master switch to easily turn off multiple devices at once.
4. Optimise Your Heating
It might seem simple, but focusing your heating on the rooms you’re actually using can make a noticeable difference to your energy bills. If your family or housemates are spending most of the time in the living room, turn off heaters in unused areas and keep the doors closed to trap the warmth where it’s needed. Set your heater between 18°C and 20°C. Every degree above that can increase your energy use by around 15%³.
1Bedroom & Living Areas
5. Curtains Can Make a Big Difference
Opening curtains during the day allows sunlight to naturally warm your home, while closing them before sunset helps retain heat, especially in Melbourne, where it gets a bit chillier. Using well-fitted or heavy curtains can also reduce this heat loss, and in turn, help insulate your home. Over 40% of heat is lost through windows³, according to the Energy Government.
6. Add Rugs
Bare floors, especially tile, can contribute to heat loss in your home. Adding rugs or carpets can help insulate these surfaces, making your living spaces a bit warmer and more comfortable, especially in older Queenslanders.
7. Opt for Flannelette Sheets
When a cold snap hits, reach for a set of flannelette sheets instead of turning up the heater. These cosy sheets trap body heat and help you stay warm through the night without relying on extra heating, saving you energy and money while still keeping things toasty.
2Kitchen
8. Adjust Your Refrigerator Settings
According to the Australian Government, refrigerators account for around 10% of household energy bills³. To make sure it’s not playing a bigger role on your power bills, follow these steps:
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Set the fridge temperature between 3°C and 4°C.
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Set the freezer temperature between -15°C and -18°C.
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Make sure the fridge is well-ventilated, with at least 5 cm of space around the sides and 10 cm at the back.
9. Replace Non-Efficient Appliances
If you’re in the market for a new appliance, those little stars on the Energy Rating Label can make a big difference to your energy bills.
The label has three important tags you should keep note of: the star rating, estimated annual energy consumption, and program time⁴.
A higher star rating means the appliance is more energy efficient, using less electricity to do the same job.
The estimated energy consumption figure helps you understand how much electricity the dishwasher uses in a year, based on average usage (about seven cycles per week).
Program time shows how long the dishwasher takes to complete its energy efficiency test cycle.
Source: https://www.energyrating.gov.au/consumer-information/understand-energy-rating-label
10. Use a Slow Cooker or Air Fryer Instead of Your Oven
Slow cookers are an energy-efficient alternative to ovens, especially for preparing winter meals like soups and stews. While specific energy usage does vary by model, the general consensus is that slow cookers use less energy than conventional ovens, making them a great alternative if you’re looking to cut costs in your kitchen.
Air fryers are another energy-saving appliance that’s quite popular, especially during the cooler months when hearty meals are on the menu. They’re not only faster than traditional ovens, but they also use less energy.
3Bathroom
11. Take Shorter Showers
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that hot water usage increases during the cold winter months, driving up both energy and water costs. Try to keep showers under 4 minutes and look into replacing your current showerhead with a more water-efficient model, it could cut your hot water usage by up to 50%³.
4Laundry
12. Use Cold Water When Washing
Heating water accounts for the majority of the energy used in washing machines. By opting for cold water instead, you could effectively lower your energy costs without sacrificing much in the process.
13. Only Wash Full Loads
Running your washing machine only when it’s full can maximise energy and water efficiency. Many machines use the same amount of energy regardless of load size, so consolidating your laundry into full loads could reduce the number of cycles needed.
Expert Tip
Washing a full load is more efficient, as many clothes washers use a similar amount of energy for full or partial loads⁴.
14. Air-Dry Your Clothes
Using a clothesline or A-Frame instead of a washing machine is an effective way to lower your energy usage. Using the clothesline once a week instead of the dryer could save around $80 a year³
On a clear, sunny day, do your washing in the morning to take full advantage of the daylight hours. This gives your clothes more time to dry naturally, which helps skip the dryer and, in turn, cut back on running cycle after cycle.
15. Check for Energy Rebates
Across Australia, many state and territory governments offer rebates and concessions to help ease the pressure of rising winter energy costs, particularly for concession card holders, seniors, and low-income households.
According to the ACCC’s September 2023 report, residential electricity bills would have been 14% higher without government rebates². With each state and territory offering different programs to support residential households, it doesn’t hurt to check what you might be eligible for. These rebates can offer significant help this winter.
Sources:
¹ Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) news release: Default Market Offer (DMO) 2025–26 Draft Determination. https://www.aer.gov.au/news/articles/news-releases/default-market-offer-dmo-2025-26-draft-determination
² Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), National Electricity Market December 2024 Report. https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/accc-national-electricity-market-december-2024-report.pdf
³ Australian Government, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Seasonal Winter Energy Advice. https://www.energy.gov.au/households/household-guides/seasonal-advice/winter
⁴ Energy Rating, Australian Government, Understanding the Energy Rating Label. https://www.energyrating.gov.au/consumer-information/understand-energy-rating-label
⁵ Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC): A milder winter and government rebates subdue the impact of increasing prices on electricity bills
https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/a-milder-winter-and-government-rebates-subdue-the-impact-of-increasing-prices-on-electricity-bills
Author
Benjamin TomBenjamin is a utility specialist passionate about creating informative content about the energy, internet, and solar markets. With extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, Benjamin drives our unique blog posts, articles, and reviews. He is focused on breaking down the technical jargon so our readers can better understand the telco market and industry. Whether he is comparing the latest internet deals or creating unique guides, Benjamin takes great pride in creating helpful, easy-to-read content.
