Boiled down, energy efficiency means that an appliance runs without using as much power as another appliance, therefore saving on electricity. The benefits of an energy efficient appliance span from being more environmentally sustainable to being easier on the back pocket, with plenty of room in between.
With the harsh snap of winter on the horizon, it’s almost time to bust the heaters out of storage and begin the months-long process of feeling guilty every time it’s switched on. Luckily for you, we’re here to help you wrap your head around more energy efficient heating, so you can save yourself the headache.
On this page:
- How does an energy efficiency rating work?
- Different types of energy efficient heaters
- What are the different fuel types for heaters?
- How to find an energy efficient heater and save on heating costs
- What else can I do to save money on heating?
- What is the most energy efficient heater?
- Will switching to an energy efficient heater help me save money?
- FAQs about energy efficient heaters
How does an energy efficiency rating work?
For most products an energy efficiency rating is pretty straight forward – the more stars, the more energy efficient, and the more energy efficient, the cheaper it will be to run – but for some heating and cooling units these ratings are a little different.
From March 2019, star ratings on heaters and coolers began showing climate ratings for energy efficiency as opposed to the simple six star method. The new methodology looks at the seasonal energy efficiency of the unit, in each of the three climate zones as determined by the government. Created to help Aussies be even more energy efficient, the new system takes into account the different climates of each of the three zones and determines the impact this has on some heating and cooling options, allowing customers to pick an appliance best suited to where they live.
Gas energy ratings however, still follow the original star rating methodology – the more stars, the more energy efficient the appliance.
Not all heating products are required to display their energy efficiency on them, but air conditioners are generally required to display their ratings.
Different types of energy efficient heaters
When it comes to heating your home, there’s a couple different options to choose from. Picking the right type of unit can be based on variety of factors like area space and the number of people in the household. Here is a list of the most common heater types in Australia:
- Fan Heaters
- Radiant Heaters
- Convector Heaters
- Oil-filled Heaters
- Gas Heaters
- Reverse Cycle Conditioners
- Ceramic Heaters
- Electric Fire Heaters
What are the different fuel types for heaters?
When it comes to powering heaters, there are few different fuel types available, some which are more energy efficient than others. Some of the fuel options for heaters include:
- Electric
- Solar
- Gas – Natural or LPG
- Solid fuel – wood, coal, etc.
As you can probably guess, the most energy efficient fuel type for a heater is solar, with natural gas or LPG coming in at a close second. Solid fuel options for the most part are quite energy efficient and affordable however some solid masses will produce more greenhouse gasses than others, so if you’re conscious of your carbon footprint, it’s best to research the fuel types first. Electric heaters are generally the biggest energy eaters in the winter time, due to their constant need for grid power.
Slash your winter heating costs with one of these cheap power 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.
How to find an energy efficient heater and save on heating costs
We’re not here to tell you to grab a blanket – we’re here to help you figure out how to heat your home in the most energy efficient way. Here are some tips you may find handy:
1. Choose the most energy efficient heater
In most cases, you’ll find a figure in watts (w) or kilowatts (kw) indicating how strong your machine is. Obviously, if you’re living somewhere particularly cold, a high-powered heater will be necessary, but for those in less harsh climates, a smaller, lower watt heater could be something to consider.
As a rule of thumb, gas heaters and reverse-cycle air conditioners generally tend to be cheaper to run and more energy efficient than portable electric heaters. Keep in mind that it’s often the case that the cheaper appliances to run are the more costly ones upfront. That being said, a sturdy air conditioning system is probably going to outlive a cheap tower heater from a home goods store, so it’s a good idea to do your own calculations to work out what’s best for you.
Check out our heating appliances guides below:
2. Utilise the timer feature on your heater
Most standalone heaters and air cons will allow you to set periods of time in which your appliance will be operating without you having to turn it on. To avoid cranking your heater to full blast in the mornings, set your timer to 15 minutes before you wake up, turning off at about the time you’d be dressed. Same goes at night- set your timer to switch off the heating an hour or so before bed.
3. Get the most out of the sun
In the middle of the day, when it’s warmest, take a second to open up any blinds and allow the natural heat of the sun to warm up your space rather than immediately going for the heater. Keep the air warm by avoiding having too many windows or doors left open.
4. Make sure your appliances aren’t ancient
Old appliances rarely run as efficiently as new ones, so if you’ve had an oil column heater since before your kids were born, it may be time to switch it out for a less power-draining model.
What else can I do to save money on heating?
There are many cases to make against standard heaters, and if you’re fed up with large winter power bills, then we don’t blame you for looking elsewhere. If you’re looking to save even more money on your winter heating, try some alternative heating methods, like insulating your home, investing in an electric blanket or even stocking up on thick blankets and thermal clothing.
For more tips on how to save money on your heating bills this winter check out these seven easy tips to lower your electricity bill.
Hottest natural gas deals available in your state
Gas Plans Compared in VIC
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Gas Plans Compared in NSW
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for NSW. These estimated annual costs are based on the Jemena Gas Network in Sydney and yearly gas usage of 18,542MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Gas Plans Compared in WA
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for WA. These estimated annual costs are based on the ATCO Network in Perth and yearly gas usage of 7,672 (units), but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Gas Plans Compared in SA
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for SA. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Adelaide and yearly gas usage of 11,875MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Gas Plans Compared in QLD
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for QLD. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Brisbane and yearly gas usage of 6,842MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
What is the most energy efficient heater?
Below is a list of some of the best heater brands as per the survey findings in our latest rating report. Our annual survey only ask customers who have bought a heater recently. These are some of the best/most energy efficient heaters from these brands:
- Rinnai Titan Unflued Natural Gas Radiant Heater
- Dimplex Electric Fire Heater
- De’Longhi Tower Ceramic Heater
- Dyson Hot+Cool Fan Heater
What is the most energy efficient portable heater?
Energy efficient electric heaters are generally the best option for medium to large spaces, while other types may suit a smaller space. According to The Good Guys, the Kambrook 2000W Ceramic Tower Heater and the DeLonghi 1500W Column Heater are both affordable energy efficient electric heaters. On the other end of the price scale, Rinnai’s Enduro, Dynamo and Avenger models could be a suitable choice for portable gas heaters.
For more information, see our report on the best-rated portable heaters.
Will switching to an energy efficient heater help me save money?
Whilst all signs point to yes, whether or not you save money will come down to your personal situation. There’s no point dropping cash on a new, more efficient heater if you’re going to use that as justification to crank it at all hours of the day. On that same note, even the most energy savvy household will have a hard time seeing savings if they’re on a power plan with high rates.
The size of your power bill is not as simple as what heater you own, it comes down to a combination of the factors mentioned above. It’s not as intimidating as it sounds, and we’re here to help, so follow the banner below to compare energy deals, and visit our heater ratings to see what other people recommend.
Image source: Mariia Boiko/shutterstock.com, Tom Gowanlock/shutterstock.com, energyrating.gov.au, elgas.com.au
FAQs about energy efficient heaters
What’s the most energy efficient heater for a large room?
As a general guide, electric tower heaters are considered a solid option for larger rooms, however most models can use a lot of electricity. It will ultimately come down to how much you need your heater running to warm a large space. The reality is that the larger a room is, the larger a heater you’ll need, so it may be worth measuring your room before purchasing a particular model. Also, it’s a good idea to speak to a professional in store or over the phone.
What are the most energy efficient heaters in Australia?
The most energy efficient heaters in Australia will depend on a variety of factors, such as the room size you’re looking to heat, the type of heater, the fuel it uses and how long you’re going to use the heater on average. Some of the best-rated heaters for energy efficiency are from brands like Dimplex, DeLonghi, Dyson and Rinnai.
What is the cheapest way to heat a room?
The easiest and cheapest way to heat a room include:
- Close blinds, windows and ensure there are no draughts
- Rug up and wear multiple layers, including socks and a scarf
- Cover tiles or flooring with a rug
- Buy a door draught stopper
- Consider buying an electric blanket
Share this article