The good news is there are simple ways you can keep your home nice and snug without having to turn up the thermostat.

To help you stay warm while keeping your electricity bill low, here are easy tips to reduce your winter energy costs.

1. Take advantage of the sun

The easiest hack of them all is to harness the natural heat your home gets from the sun. Allow the heat in during the day by opening curtains and blinds, and then at night close them to retain the heat captured.

2. Time your heating

Heaters can be power and money guzzlers. An easy way to save is to limit its use. Try programming it to turn off 20 minutes before going to bed. Or instead of having it on all day, schedule the heater to turn on 20 minutes before you usually get home. As a result, you’ll still have a toasty home when it matters most and a cheaper energy bill to boot. Winning!

3.  Find a cheaper energy plan

When was the last time you compared electricity prices in your area? If it’s been a while, then chances are you could be paying a lot less for the power you use. Because Energy Locals doesn’t profit on the electricity you use, we give you the cheapest usage rates we can for as much energy as you need. This can result in big savings on your winter electricity bill.

Compare our prices

4. Switch to LED lighting

Replace your lights with LEDs, which are proven to be bright, long-lasting, and energy-saving. Investing in energy-saving products will not only help you save during winter but also all year round. The Victorian State Government estimates you could save up to 80% on your lighting costs by replacing your old bulbs.

5. Use gadgets and appliances efficiently

Most people spend more time indoors during winter. This means more energy is being used thanks to appliances, gadgets, lights, and heaters. To prevent this, shut down devices you’re not using or take advantage of power saving features on your gadgets and appliances.

For example, enable the power saving features on appliances such as TVs and gaming consoles to reduce its consumption when not in use. Another example is if you use an eco electric scooter or e-scooter, ride it in eco-mode so you have to charge it less frequently at home.

6. Seal air leaks

Stop letting cold air in through gaps from the bottom of doors with a door sealer. You can get them in a range of plain, cute and novel designs that can some extra charm to your place.

7. Close the doors of unoccupied rooms

For homes that have extra rooms, like a spare bedroom or and storage, close the doors and windows. This way, any heat you’re generating stays in the areas you actually use.

8. Reverse your ceiling fan

Science 101 - heat rises. By reversing the way your ceiling fan spins, it helps move warm air from the ceiling to the space below. By circulating the warmth that's already there you may not have to rely on your central heater to generate more.

9. Don’t use full heat water

During winter, don't use the hottest water temperatures for cleaning, showers and baths. The hotter the temperature the more energy required to heat it up. Try turn it down a little from your usual setting as you shouldn't need as much heat to get warm when it's cold.

10. Layer up

We don’t want to sound like your parents but wearing clothes made for colder conditions can help. We’re talking Ugg boots, thick socks, hoodies, thermals. They may not always be the most fashionable but if you’re not going out no one’s going to see you 😉. A blanket for the couch to snuggle under when watching the TV is also a great idea.