Energy used for home power consumption is one of the chief contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming so homeowners can save money and the planet by harnessing the power of the sun in winter.

How Heat Works

Make Your Heating Appliances Work More Effectively

When buying any new appliance, look for the highest energy star rating and make sure you keep your appliances in good working order to maintain their efficiency.

Look for units which have a timer and thermostat to allow you to better regulate your use of energy. Add a commercially available timer if your unit doesn't have one.

No matter what type of heating appliances you choose for your home, they will operate more efficiently if your home is properly insulated. By stopping heat transfers, insulation will allow you to run your heaters at lower levels an for shorter periods, saving you as much as 40% of you heating and cooling energy costs.

Electric Radiators
      Keep the reflective surface clean and shiny for maximum reflection of heat.

Electric Fan and Column Heaters
      Keep free from dust to promote better convection air flow over fins.

Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners
      Make a point of cleaning the filters regularly - a build-up of dust will make the unit work harder than it needs to which, in turn, means higher running costs.

Gas & Oil Heaters
      Keep fins and air passages clear of dust and ensure that damaged burners are replaced.

Wood Fires
      Burn only seasoned hardwood and clean flue before every season.

Direct Sun (Radiation)

As Australia is in the southern hemisphere with most of its population below the Tropic of Capricorn, the sun's path across the sky is always lower to the horizon in winter. This means that there are less hours of sunlight (heat) and less strength in the sun during the winter months.

Because the side of your home that faces north will receive more sun than the other sides, this is where most attention should be focussed.

Ensure that there are as few external obstructions as possible to direct sunlight on your windows.

•       Open blinds and curtains as wide as possible during the day to let heat and light in.
•       Roll up retractable awnings or replace fixed awnings with removable covers.
•       Where possible, plant deciduous trees to the north and west to provide winter light with summer shade.
•       Light coloured pathways around your house will help to reflect heat through your windows

Tip: Clip on some shade cloth to pergolas in summer for shade, but remove it in winter to let the sun in.

Air Movement (Convection)

When you can feel a cold draught in your home, it means that heat is escaping somewhere.

•        Install draught seals on external doors
•        Use weather stripping around windows to minimise heat escape
•        Seal any gaps between skirting boards and floors with a caulking compound
•        Block up chimneys that are no longer used or make sure chimney dampers are closed when the fire is not on
•        If you like to sleep with an open window at night, close your bedroom door to stop chilled air circulating through the rest of the house

The Outside of Your Home (Conduction)

Heat can easily be lost through walls, doors, ceilings and especially glass windows.

•        When drawn, curtains and blinds should cover the glass area completely, meeting the floor or the window sill
•        Pelmets should be closed in to stop convection currents passing behind the curtain and coming into contact with the cold glass

Humidity Control

You can't see it but there's moisture in the air inside your home. While some moisture is desirable, too much can cause discomfort.

•        Open kitchen windows during cooking or use an exhaust fan to allow moisture to escape outdoors
•        Partially open your bathroom window and keep the door shut during showers and baths.
•        Keep the laundry door shut when clothes are being washed and dried. The difference between the weight of wet and dry laundry is the amount of moisture released.
•        When moisture forms on window panes, provide temporary ventilation until it disappears - this should only take a few minutes.

Hot Water

• Cover exposed hot water pipes, especially copper, they will lose heat quickly in winter.

Trap Energy from the Sun - It's Free