Youswitch

If your present home heating system is too expensive to operate, is in poor condition, or if you are planning on buying a new home, you are probably considering your heat-ing options. About 60 per cent of the energy required to run the average home is used for space heating. Read the rest of this entry »

Minimise the area to be heated. Doubling the size o the heated area also doubles the heating cost! So close doors to unheated areas, or install curtains across ope archways leading to other rooms. Use a correctly sized heater. Don’t expect a small heater to heat a large area. It is unlikely to reach a comfortable temperature, making running costs unnecessarily high without providing adequate heat. Similarly, try not to use a large heater when only a small area needs heating. If only one small area of a centrally heated home is to be used, it may be cheape to use a portable heater for a short time, or even invest in a small space heater, than to unnecessarily heat the whole house.

Use the thermostat correctly. For every degree you increase th thermostat setting, your bill may increase by up to 15%. Set you thermostat at a reasonable temperatur of 18 – 20°C for living areas. Thermostats should be placed in living areas, where you spend most of your time. Ensure they are protected from draughts, as well as heat sources such as heating outlets or direct sunlight. Thermostats should not be located on external walls.

Don’t leave your heater running on low overnight or while you are out during the day. It is cheaper to turn the heater off while you are out or sleeping, and on again when your return or wake up in the morning. (This pattern of use is not applicable to storage type heating such as in-slab systems which have a very slow response time). Install a timer or programmable thermostat to turn your heater on and off automatically, say 20 – 30 minutes before rising in the morning or getting home in the evening. And of course, don’t forget to turn the entire system completely off if you are going away on holidays. Run the heater fan on its highest setting for best efficiency and heat distribution. Fans cost only 1 cent an hour to run. Turn off the pilot light (if fitted) over summer. This alone could save you $15 or more each year! Maintain your heater. Keep reflectors shiny and free of dust, and clean air-filters regularly. Service all heaters according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Close windows and doors in heated areas while the heater is on. Close drapes or blinds when you’re heating,

If you have bought an existing home or are renting, you may have inherited an
inappropriate and expensive heating system. However, there are things you can do to
reduce your heating costs without sacrificing your personal comfort. In fact, you can
easily and cost effectively improve your comfort by paying particular attention to:
YOUR HOME: Ensure your home retains the heat you put into it.
(Insulation, effective window coverings and draught-proofing are all vital).
YOUR HEATING SYSTEM: The way you maintain and operate your heater can
influence its running costs. Learn the right methods, and you’ll find that your heating
system costs you less to run while providing more useful heat.

Insulate

Uninsulated ceilings, walls and even
floors can account for over 70% of total
heat loss from a home. See our brochure
Insulating your home for further details on
insulating products and procedures.

Seal out draughts

Air leaks can account for 15 – 25% of
heat loss from an uninsulated home,
and create uncomfortable draughts.
Our brochure Sealing out draughts
pinpoints common problem areas and
suggests cost-effective methods for
dealing with them.

Protect your windows

Up to 30% of total heat loss from a
home occurs through uncovered
windows. Close-fitting, heavy drapes or
blinds, or double-glazed windows reduce
heat loss. If you are replacing windows or
building consider installing high
performance windows to reduce your
heating needs. Refer to our brochure
Energy saving for windows for more details.

Zone your home

Being able to close off different areas of
warm air
your home allows you to heat only those
Pelmet
areas in use at any one time. Open-plan
cold
(closed
homes without zoning mean that the
glass
at top)
still air
whole house will be heated at once,
layer
regardless of which areas are being
used—a costly and wasteful exercise.
closely
Install doorways or other barriers
Inside air
woven
between different areas of the home,
cooled
fabric
e.g. between living and sleeping areas,
by glass
and informal and formal areas. The ‘wet’
areas of your home, e.g. bathrooms and
laundries, should also be a separate zone
as they are usually unheated and well
ventilated.