WANT TO CUT DOWN ON YOUR POWER BILL? HERE'S THE SECRET!

With the winter chill in full swing, many Aussie households will no doubt be looking for ways to warm their homes while trying to keep their power bills in check.

It’s a delicate juggle, made worse by rising electricity prices in many parts of the country on July 1 and August 1. Depending on where you live, some residential electricity bills are expected to climb by more than $200.1

While that makes for grim reading, you’re not powerless. Cue your “Home Energy Audit” – a simple and quick guide to help keep you warm without torching your wallet.

Before accepting another soaring power bill, consider spending ten focused minutes to reveal any inefficiencies in your home and check whether you’re still on a suitable energy plan for your household.

Here’s how to do your own “Home Energy Audit” in three easy steps.

1. Look for sneaky power-wasters in the home

You don’t need a tradie or fancy gadgets to spot common culprits. Start by checking for draughts around windows and doors; even small gaps can let in cold air and force your heater to work harder.

Draft stoppers, weather stripping, and thicker curtains can make a surprising difference with minimal effort and cost, retaining warmth within your home.

Heating habits are often the main culprit. Are you heating the whole house when you’re only using one or two rooms? Close doors to keep the heat in where you need it most and rug up when you can.

Also check small appliances that are often left running or in standby mode. TVs, consoles and microwaves draw power even when not in use – switching them off at the wall can help reduce your consumption.

2. Simple changes that could add up

Once you’ve identified where energy might be going to waste, create a plan for how everyone in the household can make changes.

This doesn’t have to be a major overhaul; it can be as simple as adjusting your heater settings to a more efficient temperature, washing clothes in cold water when possible and avoiding using the dryer if you can.

When cooking, keep lids on pots and use appliances like microwaves or air fryers that use less energy than a traditional oven.

These changes may feel small, but together they can add up to a noticeable reduction in your winter bill.

3. Don’t pay the loyalty tax on your energy plan

Many of us focus on how much energy we’re using, but it’s likely that fewer stop to check whether they’re on a competitive plan. Households on variable plans may already be paying more than they need to be, without even realising it.

Even if you’ve been happy with your provider in the past, it could pay to shop around, as some retailers may offer lower rates to new customers that aren’t automatically extended to existing ones.

That’s why it’s important to compare your plan regularly, especially after price changes or seasonal usage spikes. Grab your latest bill, review your current rate and other charges, and see if there’s a better deal out there.

The bottom line

There you have it. A quick “Home Energy Audit” helps you understand your usage and pinpoint simple changes. Combined with a regular review of your energy plan, it could be one of the easiest ways to keep costs in check and beat bill shock this winter.

Sophie Ryan is a comparison expert at ISelect