warming by the fire

7 easy ways to lower your electricity bills this winter

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In this Canstar Blue guide, we share our top seven tips to help cut back on your electricity bill during the cooler months.

Is your wallet sucked dry every winter? Do you feel faint when the power bill arrives? Well, we’re here to help you lower the costs of keeping warm. Whether you’re in chilly Melbourne or snow-capped Canberra, there are some quick and easy things you can do to ease the strain on your wallet this winter. Keep reading to see what our energy experts at Canstar Blue HQ suggest when it comes to keeping toasty without breaking the bank.

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1. Shop around and compare energy plans

Find yourself a better price by shopping around. Energy companies often have better rates to attract new customers. Most states have deregulated energy now, which is exciting for the consumer as it puts the power back into their hands; if you don’t like your company, leave! It’s that simple.

If you regularly compare electricity plans, then you can be sure that you’re getting the best deal; this is true for most industries in that the complacent are often the ones that lose out. Take a look at Canstar Blue’s electricity providers and gas suppliers reports to find out how your retailer truly stacks up. Or, check out some of the latest and cheapest deals by clicking on your state below.

Cheap Electricity Deals

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

2. Don’t be afraid to haggle with your provider

Phone your provider and tell them you’re thinking of leaving. Most providers will offer you a better deal rather than see you go. Ask to speak to someone more senior if you don’t get what you want at first. Electricity retailers sometimes have better rates – they just don’t want to tell you about them. Being a good negotiator is a vital skill so make sure you are:

  • Firm but polite.
  • Know what you want to say – cover all bases and make sure you research the market so you can know what to expect.
  • Be prepared and mention the competition e.g. “XYZ Company is offering X% off the Reference Price/Victorian Default Offer, can you match it?”

You might have thought haggling was saved for the car yards, but electricity companies – although staunch on the subject – don’t mind a bit of negotiating.

3. Go solar, look at alternative energies

Solar and other renewable energies are becoming increasingly popular. As power bills seemingly increase every year, many people want to be more self-reliant and move off the grid. The biggest way to start moving off the grid is to look at solar energy.

It could cost several thousand dollars to install, but solar panels can pay for themselves in as little as five years. Don’t forget to factor in interest payments when you do the maths. If you’re in it for the long term, consider installing solar.

Already got solar? Make sure you are on a good solar feed-in tariff with these solar-specific electricity deals

Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

4. Consider insulating your home

If you want a warm home that costs less to heat then insulation is your number one priority. It’s also a good idea to draught-proof doors and windows. Start with ceiling insulation, then move onto the underfloor and walls. According to the Victorian Government’s ‘Sustainability Vic’ site, a fully insulated household can save about 40% to 50% more on heating and cooling costs than a non-insulated household.

If insulation is out of the question, throw a rug down or consider purchasing a door runner to prevent any draughts.

5. Install double glazed windows

Windows are the eyes of your home, and you need to protect them. Yes, double and secondary glazing are expensive to install and take a long time to pay off, but they make your home a lot warmer in winter. They are also effective in summer, helping to cut out those harsh and hot UV rays.

6. Invest in automated timers

Person using energy saving timer device with smartphone

It can be easy to forget to turn a light off when you leave a room. Or maybe you’ve got kids that don’t turn off their gaming console when they’re done. While they seem insignificant, over the course of the year, forgetting to turn things off can contribute to a blown-out power bill.

Automated timers and sensors leave the hassle out of remembering to turn appliances off. Many of these timers have three hour cutout times, which make it perfect to watch a movie, complete the latest gaming campaign, or get stuck into a good book next to your bedside lamp.

Automation goes a lot further than just household appliances. Likewise, timers on your heat pump can be set so they’re only on when you’re home. Many of these automated timers are also smartphone compatible, giving you complete control over your appliances and heating.


Are there other technologies to help you manage your energy costs that you are missing out on for your home? Check with Canstar Blue’s energy-saving gadgets guide.


7. Think like your grandparents

Your grandparents probably didn’t have the luxuries that you have today. They would most likely have had to face winter head on and just tough it out. They did this by putting on more layers.

Now, we’ve seemingly come full circle. Many people are shutting off the heating to save on power bills, and instead electing to don an extra jumper or two.

Some extreme electricity saving tips

If you’re looking to get serious about potentially saving some money, then following these tips may be helpful.

  • Have shorter showers: The sooner you’re out, the sooner you’re back into your warm clothes and under the doona!
  • Keep the thermostat at a constant temperature: Optimal temperature is usually between 20°C to 24°C.
  • Use the cold cycle on your washing machine: The bonus with this is, your clothes are less likely to get crinkled, and no one likes ironing!
  • Close your curtains and blinds to lock in the warmth.
  • Don’t use the dryer: Winter may not get as much sunlight as summer, but using the old fashioned clothes line will do the job well.

There a are myriad of ways to scrimp and save on your energy bill this winter, so don’t let your wallet shiver without money! We hope that these tips help you save on your winter power bill. Check out our free comparison tool below to compare a range of electricity deals in your area today.

Original Author: Jared Mullane

Kelseigh Wrigley
Energy Specialist
Kelseigh Wrigley covers Australia's retail energy market, growing her industry specific expertise over the last 2 years. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism at the Queensland University of Technology and has contributed her skills to online publications Hunter & Bligh and local radio station 4ZZZ.

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