I don’t know about you, but I’ve already got the heater out for these cold nights and morning chills. But with the current living expenses barely stretching past the groceries, our power bill is definitely something we want to keep under control!
So what are some changes we can be making around home to ensure we are keeping costs lower during the colder months?
We’ve chosen the top five Consumer NZ tips and tricks to save yourself some dollars this winter.
Consumer NZ found that honeycomb blinds did the best job of keeping the heat in. Roman blinds were next best, followed by roller blinds then, and lastly, Venetians.
They also tested curtains. It was found that floor-length, heavy-lined curtains did the best job of keeping the heat in.
However, it is the heavy lining that is the key to keeping your house warm this winter. Even when heavy-lined curtains only went to the length of the windowsill, they still did a better job than floor-length thermal curtains.If you’ve noticed a cold draft coming through your curtains, why not try putting rolled-up towels above your curtain rail? It may not be the most aesthetic look for your place, but it will keep the cold out by creating a seal at the top.
- If you’re looking to buy an electric heater, look for one with a thermostat to maintain an even temperature so it’s more cost-efficient.
- If part of your house doesn’t get a lot of airflow and tends to be damp, consider a dehumidifier. While they do come as a decent expense, to begin with, it does a good job of drying out small spaces and acts as a heater too.
So there you have it, some mindful ways to keep costs down, or at least a little warmer this winter.
