Energy efficiency 10 WAYS TO SAVE

Get a cosy home without the scary power bills, with these top tips for an energy efficient home

- SHELLEY TUSTIN

Your home should be a sanctuary through every season, especially when the bitter chill of winter bites. But cosy comes at a cost and power bill dread is as common as the sniffles. To take control of your energy use and keep your hard-earned cash in your own pocket, look at the worst offenders – the places where money often leaks out of households. We've rounded up the usual suspects, from porous windows to underperforming appliances, and put together our top 10 tips for amping up the energy efficiency in your home.

1 Building with bricks

“Bricks offer exceptional thermal performance, thanks to their natural ability to absorb, store and gradually release heat,” says Brett Ward, Brickworks general manager marketing. “In cooler months, they capture warmth during the day and release it at night, helping to reduce reliance on heating. It’s a simple, passive way to make a home more comfortable and energy efficient - without needing complex systems or ongoing costs.” Brick veneer with modern insulation works beautifully, while double brick offers a further insulation advantage, “particularly in areas with greater temperature variation or for those wanting added acoustic benefits and long-term durability,” says Brett.

2 Soak up the sun

Australia's blazing sun is one of its greatest resources, so why not make it work for you? Solar photovoltaic panels can be installed on the roof (rebates may ease the upfront cost) and used to generate electricity. Most systems connect to the grid, allowing you to save in two ways - you can operate your home primarily off solar energy during the day, and your energy retailer will pay for energy you export to the grid, discounting consumption in the evenings and when the sun isn't shining. Solar batteries can further reduce your grid-reliance.

3 Look to the stars