Gas and electricity prices are set to rise in Victoria this year. The Essential Services Commission forecasting household bills will increase by almost a third (31 per cent). This means the average Victorian energy consumer will need to find an extra $426 per year to pay for their power than they did in 2022. Winter in Victoria can be tough. We also don’t want to be left with an unaffordable bill for keeping our homes warm over the cooler months.
To help you avoid bill shock we’ve put together this list of things you can do around your home to cut down your energy costs this winter.
Are you getting the correct concessions or discounts?
Make sure you’re claiming any concessions or bill relief you may be entitled to. Give your utility companies a call and make sure your concession card has been added to your account. Apply for the Power Saving Bonus, which is a $250 payment available to all Victorian households, regardless of their concession status. The money is paid straight into your bank account.
Check if you are eligible for the Utility Relief Grant scheme provided by the Victorian Government – if you have a concession card you may be able to claim up to $650 towards each of your utility bills. You can find out more about the scheme here.
Block draughts
Gaps in doorways and window frames let the warm air out and the cold air in, and that is not what we want during winter! Use draught excluders to block gaps around the bottom of doors. If you don’t have a draught excluder you can make one using the leg of an old pair of stockings filled with newspaper, or roll up a towel and lay it against the bottom of the door. When you’re hanging out in one room, close the door so the heat doesn’t escape to other empty rooms. If you have ducted heating, close or cover the vents in unoccupied rooms so you’re not heating unused spaces.
Upgrade your window coverings
According to consumer website CHOICE, up to 40 per cent of the of the energy used to heat our homes can be lost through windows. Modifications like double glazing can help with this, but they can also be expensive and may not be possible if you’re renting. Renters in Victoria can change window coverings without their landlord’s permission, if they reinstall the original curtains when they vacate the property. Heavy curtains are great for blocking draughts around windows, and if your windows are a standard size, you may be able to find ready-made curtains in shops for quite affordable prices. Open your curtains and blinds during the day, to let the warm sunshine flood into your home. Close them again at dusk, to prevent that lovely warm air from leaking out.
Use your ceiling fans
No, we’re not confused about which season we’re in – you can indeed use your ceiling fans to help warm your home in winter! Check if the ceiling fans in your home have a reverse function. This setting makes the blades spin anti-clockwise, which pushes warm air back down into the room as it rises. You’ll still need to put the heater on but adding the ceiling fan may mean you can turn it down a little and save on your power bill. Ceiling fans cost just a few cents per hour to run, making them much more economical than most heaters.
Rug up
If your home has polished wood or tiled floors, you’ll know just how cold these can get in the depths of winter. Adding rugs helps to insulate the room and will prevent cold air creeping in through any gaps in the floorboards. Rugs are also much more pleasant to step on when the mercury drops!
Keep your heating set to 20 degrees or less
According to the Victorian Government’s energy website, the ideal temperature for gas heating is between 18 and 20 degrees. If you set your heater higher than this, you could be paying up to 15 per cent more for every extra degree! So, keep your thermostat set at 20C or below, and use some of our other tips to help keep the family warm without turning the heater up.
Warm the people, not the room
It’s much more efficient to keep individual bodies warm, rather than heating up the entire house. Add extra layers of clothing or snuggle under blankets on the couch. Wear thick socks or slippers, pop a beanie on and sip on hot drinks to help warm yourself up. If you have a cat or dog, cuddling up to them can help you stay cosy. Microwavable wheat bags and heated throw blankets are also good ways to keep your body warm without turning the heater on.
Need more help?
If you’re really struggling to keep up with your bills get in touch with a financial counsellor by calling the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. They can help you negotiate with your providers and apply for grants, as well as set you up with a budget that gives you the confidence to manage your money in the future.
