Keeping the home cozy and warm will be extra challenging for Australian households this winter, as electricity prices continue to soar. There is also little reprieve in sight after the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) announced it is increasing electricity prices by between 20 and 25 per cent from 1 July 2023 . This is a significant price rise that comes at a time when residents are already facing such high cost of living pressures.
For homeowners who are hesitant to turn on their heaters, rugging up seems like the only cost-effective solution. However, what you may not realise is that the answer may be lying between the walls and ceiling of your home.
Keeping the temperature consistent in your home year-round can seem like a daunting—and expensive—ask for many households. The over-use of air conditioners to keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer can quickly run up electricity bills, creating bill shock and burning a hole in your hard-earned savings. However, while the humble air conditioner seems like an easy (but costly) fix, it’s not the only solution.
A well-insulated home can be more energy-efficient (and cost-effective) for many households, as it requires far less heating or cooling to keep it comfortable. Properly installed insulation creates a barrier around the home, protecting your indoor temperature from the influence of the outside elements, meaning, in winter, your home will keep warm air in, and cold air out.
Installing insulation may sound expensive but retrofitting it into the home can be a cost-effective, long-term solution that will help you achieve consistent comfort year-round, no matter what the weather is doing outside. And, it can help you save on those pesky electricity bills. In fact, homes with upgraded insulation lowered energy bills by 13. 2 per cent, according to a study of insulation retrofits in New Zealand.
Installing insulation is also a great way to achieve energy efficiency while keeping your home comfortable and warm. Yet, recent data shows that over eight million Australian homes require energy efficiency upgrades, meaning there’s going to be a lot of cold Aussies and Kiwis suffering through the cold snaps.
