Top tips to heat your rental this winter
Yep, there’s a definite nip in the air, and for those of us living in rental properties, it raises the question of how to heat your rental effectively this winter without incurring an astronomical power bill?
After all, it’s no secret the price of electricity is a big part of the cost of living crunch, and every kW you save can really add up to lower that dreaded quarterly bill.
So let’s look at the top tips to heat your rental (without blowing your budget) this winter…
Heating systems
If your property happens to have a heating system, then it’s important you understand how to use it efficiently.
For example, don’t set it to a balmy tropical temperature, but instead opt to take the chill out of the room.
As Choice explains, 20 degrees is optimum, with every degree below that saving you an additional 10 per cent on your energy use.
Meanwhile, only heat the areas you’re using and if you are heating a specific space, shut the doors to other areas.
Portable electric heaters
If your property doesn’t have heating or a specific room is in need of heat, then portable electric heaters are often the first port of call.
But here’s the thing to remember, all portable heaters are not created equal, with some consuming vast amounts of electricity while others are a little more efficient.
That said, regardless of whether it’s a fan heater, oil column heater or panel heater they do tend to chew through the electrical juice.
Choice notes fan heaters tend to be the least efficient, consuming on average 2.04kW per hour, which adds up to a cost of around $408 for the three months of winter if you run it six hours a day for three months.
Meanwhile, panel heaters use on average 1.99kW per hour, costing a total of $398 for the three months of winter and oil heaters are considered the most efficient, using an average of 1.62kW per hour and costing around $324 over a three-month period.
Draughts and weather proofing
One of the best ways to cut your heating costs is by eliminating heat loss. That means stopping any draughts and sealing the property against the cold.
This might involve purchasing some door snakes to stop draughts under doors.
Another good way to retain heat is window coverings. These not only help stop draughts, but also allow a property to retain its ambient heat if you close the curtains and blinds at sundown.
Fans to winter mode
Did you know most ceiling fans have two modes – summer and winter?
In summer, the blades should rotate counter-clockwise to push cool air down, while in winter, they should rotate clockwise to pull warm air up and redistribute it.
The summer or winter mode is usually changed via a small switch on the outside of the fan motor.
Common sense
Common sense goes a long way when it comes to saving electricity and money for heating. This includes:
- Lowering the thermostat
- Using energy efficient appliances where possible
- Only heating the spaces you use
- Turning your heating off when it’s not required
- Sealing doorways and windows
- Eliminating draughts and closing doors
