With winter arriving and the cold weather setting in, now is the perfect time to make improvements and upgrades to your property before the electricity bills start to rise.
As Ausgrid reports, heating and cooling can account for almost 25 per cent of the average household’s energy use. And, if you are working from home at the moment, you might see an even bigger increase to your power bills.
So, to keep energy bills low, and the value of your property high, winter-proof your home by following our handy tips to winter warming without the price tag.
Draught Proofing
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners face when temperature-controlling a property is not filling gaps in windows and doors that result in air leakage or draughts.
It is estimated that nearly 25 per cent of heating or cooling loss in a home is caused by even just the tiniest of cracks in a window seal.
If you are looking to sell, especially if it’s an older house, make sure all air leaks are sealed before open homes as buyers will be on the lookout for any heating inefficiencies and improvements they may have to make.
Be Clever with Functional Systems
There are so many temperature-control systems on the market available to not only savvy property owners, but to all those looking to warm their homes cost-efficiently.
From simple things like switching the direction of fans to assist in pushing heat down, to using reverse-cycle air-conditioning, there are functional heating options for every price range.
When you are looking to install heating systems, think about the functionality throughout the year and whether there is an option that allows for heating in winter and cooling in summer. This will add a lot of value to your home in years to come.
Insulation
According to Sustainability Victoria, insulating your property can mean the difference of hundreds of dollars off your power bill every year. Although it may seem like a major renovation, depending on the property, it could be easier than you think.
There are lots of year-round benefits to adding insulation to a property, from creating a more comfortable, temperature-controlled home, virtually eliminating wall condensation, and, long-term, insulation can pay for itself in around five to six years.
Using Window Furnishing to Your Advantage
As in summer, window furnishing can do wonders to cooling or warming your home. If you are in the market to upgrade your window furnishing, consider what type will work best for your property. Whether you decide on blinds, curtains or shutters, any will assist you in controlling the temperature.
Window furnishing act as an extra layer to seal in the warmth in winter with a surprising amount of heat being able to escape through exposed glass panes. Ensure that you are closing all window furnishings well before sundown to avoid the cold night air getting in.
Don’t Overheat
It can be difficult to know what temperature range will help to heat a home but also keep costs at a minimum. According to Ausgrid, the ideal temperature for a home is between 18 and 21 degrees with every degree over this equating to around 10 per cent extra to your power bill.
We all know how tempting it can be to put your heating up when you arrive home to a cold house, but, with the right improvements to your home, the heating system can do its job quickly and your home will be warm before you know it.
