tuckara.com/post/30-day-no-spend-challenge-australia" title="30-Day No Spend Challenge — The Australian Edition (With a Weekly Plan That Actually Works)">Australian energy prices have risen sharply in recent years, and winter is when the bill most clearly shows it. Heating is the biggest contributor — but it's not the only one. These 12 Australia — 12 Strategies That Actually Work in 2026">strategies address the full picture, from heating efficiency to hot water to appliance habits, and together they can meaningfully reduce your winter energy bill.
1. Set Your Heating to 18–20°C, Not Higher
Every degree above 20°C adds approximately 10% to your heating costs. Most Australians heat to 22–24°C when 18–20°C, with appropriate clothing and throws, is perfectly comfortable. Set your thermostat and leave it — don't let it drift up over the course of the evening. This single change reduces heating costs by 20–40% for most households.
2. Heat the Room You're In, Not the Whole House
Close doors to unused rooms and heat only the occupied space. A portable electric heater in the room you're using costs less to run than a ducted system heating the whole house. For most Australians, a 2,400W oil column heater ($50–$80 from Kmart) in the living room costs less to run per evening than whole-house ducted gas.
3. Use Heavy Curtains or Thermal Liners
Up to 40% of heating energy is lost through windows. Heavy lined curtains or thermal curtain liners (Kmart and Spotlight both stock these) significantly reduce heat loss. Close curtains at dusk — don't wait until you go to bed. The difference in a room with heavy curtains versus uncovered windows is significant and the saving is immediate from the first cold night.
4. Draught-Proof Your Home
Gaps under doors, around window frames and through old skirting boards lose significant heat. Draught snakes at the base of external doors ($5–$15 at Kmart or DIY with a rolled towel) are the quickest fix. Bunnings stocks door seal strips and window foam tape for more permanent solutions — total cost $20–$40 for a whole house and the saving is ongoing every winter.
5. Reduce Hot Water Temperature
Most hot water systems are set to 70°C — far hotter than necessary. Reducing to 60°C (the minimum safe temperature to prevent legionella) reduces hot water energy use by 5–10%. For electric systems this is usually a dial on the unit itself. For gas systems, consult your manual or plumber.
6. Wash Clothes in Cold Water
Washing in cold water instead of warm or hot uses 80–90% less energy for the wash cycle. Modern detergents are formulated to clean effectively in cold water. For most household laundry, cold washing is equally effective and dramatically cheaper over winter when you're doing more loads.
7. Use Your Dishwasher Efficiently
Run the dishwasher only when full. Use the eco or half-load setting if available. If your dishwasher has a heated dry function, turn it off and air-dry instead — this alone saves 15–50% of the dishwasher's energy use per cycle.
8. Switch Off Standby Appliances
Australian households spend an estimated $100–$150 per year on standby power — appliances left on standby rather than switched off at the wall. TVs, gaming consoles, phone chargers left plugged in, microwaves with clocks — all draw continuous power. Switching off at the wall when not in use reduces standby costs to near zero. Smart power strips from Kmart ($15–$25) automate this for entertainment systems.
9. Compare Your Energy Plan
Canstar, Compare the Market and the government's Energy Made Easy website let you compare current energy plans in your state. Most households on standard variable rates pay 15–25% more than the best available plan. Switching takes 20 minutes and the saving is automatic every bill. Review annually — plans change and your circumstances may have changed.
10. Use the Microwave and Air Fryer Over the Oven
A full-size oven uses 2,000–3,500W and takes 10–15 minutes to preheat. A microwave uses 700–1,200W and is instant. An air fryer uses 1,200–1,800W and takes 2–3 minutes to preheat. For anything that fits — reheating, roasting vegetables, cooking proteins — the microwave or air fryer uses 50–70% less electricity than the oven.
11. Shower Shorter and Cooler
Hot showers are appealing in winter but expensive. Each extra minute in the shower adds to both water heating costs and water bills. A 4-minute shower instead of 8 minutes saves approximately $200–$350 per year per person in combined water and energy costs. A shower timer ($5–$10 at hardware stores) makes the change automatic and painless.
12. Check You're on the Right Tariff
Time-of-use tariffs charge different rates at different times of day — cheaper off-peak (typically late night and early morning), more expensive at peak times (4–9pm on weekdays). If you can shift energy-intensive tasks (dishwasher, washing machine, EV charging) to off-peak hours, you can reduce costs significantly without using less energy. Contact your retailer to check whether a time-of-use tariff suits your household's patterns.
How can I reduce my electricity bill in winter in Australia?
The most effective ways to reduce electricity bills in Australian winter are: set heating to 18–20°C rather than higher (saves 20–40%), close curtains at dusk to retain heat, draught-proof external doors and windows, switch off standby appliances at the wall, compare your energy plan on Canstar or Energy Made Easy, and use the microwave or air fryer instead of the oven for smaller meals.
What uses the most electricity in Australian homes in winter?
In Australian homes, heating and cooling accounts for approximately 40% of energy use — making it by far the largest contributor to winter electricity bills. Hot water is the second largest (around 25%). Appliances, lighting and refrigeration make up the remainder. Targeting heating efficiency and hot water use delivers the largest savings for most households.
Is it cheaper to use gas or electricity for heating in Australia?
The answer varies by state and household setup. In states with relatively low electricity costs (SA, ACT, QLD with solar), reverse cycle air conditioning (electric) is often the cheapest heating option. In Victoria and NSW, gas ducted heating has historically been cheaper but gas prices have risen significantly. A reverse cycle air conditioner is 3–4x more efficient than electric resistance heating regardless of location. Compare energy rates in your state using the government's Energy Made Easy website.