5 surprising ways to slash your winter energy bills

5 ways to save on winter energy bills. Source: Getty

Winter can often be a constant battle between shivering all night, or forking out the cash to switch the heat on.

But, if you’re wondering whether there are ways to save on your energy bills whilst still keeping warm - there are.

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Take a look at these five surprising ways you could save on energy bills this winter, as reported by Adelaide Now.

1. Get an electric rug

While there’s a little controversy around the safety of electric blankets, it turns out they’re a great way to save on energy bills.

Origin’s senior external affairs manager for energy markets, Stuart Osbourne, told Adelaide Now that electric heated throw blanks could in fact save you cash.

According to Osbourne, they only cost around 3 to 4 cents per hour to run, whereas running costs for a portable heater could be over 15 times more to operate.

2. Get some greenery

If you’re like me and enjoy having small plant babies around your home, then this definitely excite you.

Osbourne said plants can actually help regulate airflow and temperature in your home, so definitely load up on some leafy friends during winter.

3. Opt for candles

Lighting makes up around 6 per cent of an average Aussie home’s energy use, so Osbourne says we should opt for candles instead.

4. Use a hairdryer

While this seems a little counter-intuitive, because it actually means you have to use energy, using a hairdryer can save you big in the long run.

“While hair will eventually dry, it’ll stay wet for longer if the air is cold, and can end up affecting your entire body temperature,” Osbourne said.

Using the hairdryer for just five should do the trick, and it will only set you back around 5 cents.

4. Audit your energy use

CEO of the National Electrical and Communications Association, Suresh Manickam, told Adelaide Now that conducting an audit of your energy can tell you how you’re using your power, and how to cut it down.

“Your electrician will be able to give an energy audit or direct you to someone who can,” Manickam said.

5. Check your wires

According to Manickam, the older the home, the older the wiring.

So, if your home’s wiring wasn’t checked when you moved in, it could probably be damaged, which leads to leakage.

This means you could be paying for a lot of electricity that is getting lost before it even gets to power any products.

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