Cut Energy Bills by Preparing Ahead

Winter always means higher electricity bills. When this is complicated by a worldwide economic downturn, with many people losing jobs or worrying about the possibility, it is important to do what you can to minimise costs. The fact is, there are many cheap or free things you can do to cut energy bills. Here is a list of some of the easy, yet effective, changes you can start making today.

1 Make sure you have a heating solution that fits your situation and make sure that it is fully serviced. Many reverse cycle systems require you to clean or change filters at least monthly. The fact is, if the filter is dirty, the system will not function optimally, and will use more power since it has to work harder to get the air to flow.

2 Get a system with a programmable thermostat. You lose a lot of energy by just leaving a system on the same temperature all the time. If you can set it to automatically adjust the temperature at certain times of the day and certain days of the week, you will reduce your costs. If used effectively, the temperature in your home will automatically go down during the day when no one is home, or overnight when you are tucked into a warm bed.

3 If you have chosen a fireplace or a slow combustion heater, make sure the chimney is cleaned and in good repair. As a rule of thumb, get it checked each year before you light it and before winter sets in. Most well designed systems do not require an electric fan on all the time, only for short periods to get the warm air circulating in a cold house. It is also a good idea to install a cap or screen at the top of your chimney to prevent birds from building nests and having unexpected guests like blow flies in the summer.

4 Reduce drafts by resealing around your windows and doors. The more heat loss you can prevent the less your energy loss and the more money you will save. In extreme climates you may also need to consider double glazing the windows or roller shutters to provide better insulation.

5 Fibre glass insulation in the ceiling is another way to reduce the loss of heat (and helping to keep the house cooler in summer) so that all year round you have savings.

6 Consider using wind power, (think home windmill) and solar panels on the roof of your house along with the above winterizing tips and before you know it you will be reaping the returns of lower energy costs, not just during winter but all year round.

Remember the 5 P's - Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance, so make some changes now, and in the long term you will save hundreds of dollars each year from now on.