Having your heater on throughout the day during the winter seems like a cosy idea until you think of the impending high energy bills. But what if we told you that you could have your heater and use it too?…You get what we mean.
Using your heating system efficiently can go a long way to conserving energy and reducing your bills. Don’t believe us? Here we’ve compiled a list of tips on keeping warm this winter without the need to break the bank.
1. Set Your Heater/ Reverse AC To The Right Temperature
This tip seems fairly obvious. Set your thermostat to the right temperature to make sure you’re comfortable. But you’d be surprised how often people get this wrong, which is why we’ve listed this as our number 1 tip.
| Season | Ideal Temperature |
| Winter | 18 – 20° |
| Summer | 25 – 27° |
This temperature range will ensure that you’re getting the maximum efficiency from your unit. If you’re living in an area where the climate is cooler during the winter, you can adjust the temperature to be a little warmer. The opposite is true for when you’re living in a climate where summers are hotter than usual.
2. Consider A Heat Pump Hot Water System
What Is It?
A heat pump hot water system is a type of water heating system that transfers thermal energy between spaces. Because it does not generate heat directly, it can be up to 4 times more energy efficient than conventional electric hot water systems.
Savings In The Long Run
Heat pumps are a more environmentally friendly way of generating hot water because it does not use direct electric elements to heat water. This leads to savings of up to 75% on electricity usage compared to traditional hot water systems.
Traditional hot water systems consume about 1kW of power to produce 1kW of heat, while heat pump hot water heater systems use 1kW of power to generate greater heat output of 4kW. This more efficient technology allows you to reduce your energy bills without needing to cut back on your hot water usage.
3. Turn On Your Reverse Cycle AC Instead Of Gas Heaters
Efficient And Effective For Smaller Areas
Air conditioners are 3x more efficient than gas heaters, meaning that if you own a gas heater you’re likely spending more money on your energy bills. Air conditioners also come with a thermostat function, allowing you to control the ideal temperature and avoid wasting energy from overheating your home.
Reverse cycle air conditioners tend to work more effectively in smaller areas and in milder climates compared to gas heaters. However, if you live in an area where the winters are more extreme, gas heaters might be the more appropriate choice for you.
Costs Less Compared To Gas Heaters
While the upfront costs of a reverse cycle air conditioner might be more expensive than a gas heater, you would end up saving in the long term because of its cheaper running costs.
| Gas Heater | Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner | |
| Purchasing + installation | Unflued: < $1,000
Flued: $1200 to $2500 |
$1,500 – $5,000 |
| Servicing cost | $150 – $300 (once every 1-2 years) | $190 – $ 200 (once every year) |
4. Service And Clean Your Heating System
Regardless of what heating system you own, whether gas or air conditioning, regular cleaning and servicing of your system will keep it functioning properly.
Over time, dust and debris can build up in your heating system, forcing it to work harder to produce the same output. To avoid this, vacuum your heating vents regularly and clean out the filters inside the air conditioner.
For more thorough cleans of complicated areas of the system, we suggest getting a professional to assist you with this.
Getting Your Heating System Professionally Serviced
Getting your heating system serviced involves a professional to see if all parts are functioning properly. Similar to how you would with an air conditioning service, a technician would test to see if all critical parts of the system are working as they should.
The professional will also clean your system and handle any dangerous gas or liquids involved in the service, such as carbon monoxide or refrigerant liquid.
How Often Should Your System Be Serviced?
Gas heaters and reverse cycle air conditioners should be serviced at least once every year. Since reverse cycle air conditioners provide both heating and cooling options, it wouldn’t hurt to get your system serviced and checked twice a year.
You could schedule the service once in spring and another in autumn, just in time to make sure it’s working properly before summer and winter come along.
5. Insulate
Insulation helps to reduce the amount of heat loss by retaining heat in your home. A well insulated home will ensure your heating systems don’t have to work extra hard to keep you warm and comfortable.
A poorly insulated home on the other hand might mean having to have a ‘stronger’ heating system in place to compensate for the loss in energy.
There’s a couple ways that you can insulate your home to maintain the temperature indoors:
Double Glazed Windows
Double glazing refers to creating a pocket of air or gas between the glass that functions as a buffer and resists heat flows. Double glazed windows are great for reducing heat build up during the summer months or heat loss during winter months.
Natural Heat From The Sun
Sometimes insulating your home can be as simple as letting the sun in during the day. When sunlight, mainly ultraviolet radiation, enters your home and hits an object it will become radiant heat. Simply put, letting the sunlight in is a quick fix to warming up your home.
Curtains
This would help keep the heat indoors from escaping during the winter. It is a simple fix and if done tastefully can also enhance the appearance of your living space.
Keep Warm And Carry On
So there you have it! Our top 5 tips on how to keep warm during the winter while still saving on energy bills.
Also, remember to get routine servicing done on your heating systems. It’s possibly the best way to ensure that your system is working optimally.
