It’s springtime - a good time to get organised and get things in order! Although the weather is warming up, the cooler nights and mornings mean that improving the heating efficiency of your home is never a wasted exercise. Reduce your next energy bill (and beyond) by putting in some work now.
How to save on energy bills by improving your home’s heating and cooling efficiency
It’s probably no surprise that one of the biggest users of energy in your home is likely to be heating and cooling, at around 40% of household energy use. Many Australian homes were historically not designed to cope with cooler climate conditions, and even some modern homes don't stack up. Soaring power bills are seeing many renters forego the heater and instead live in conditions that don’t meet World Health Organisation standards.
If you’re building a new home, the best thing you can do is adopt passive design principles, where the design and build of your home accounts for your local climate and takes the lion’s share of heating and cooling responsibilities. This means you’ll need less (or no) appliances that use energy in order to cool and/ or heat your home.
If you’re buying a new heating or cooling appliance, one of the most important considerations is the size of your home (or space) and requirements of the appliance. If you buy a reverse cycle air conditioner (A/C), for example, that’s too big, it will produce more energy than required and you’ll pay for wasted heating and/ or cooling. On the other end of the spectrum, an appliance that’s too small will have to work harder, meaning it uses more energy than necessary - again, costing you more.
Find out what appliances can be run on solar power. (HINT - think electric!)
The most energy-efficient appliance for heating your home is a reverse cycle air conditioner, which is a type of heat pump. This system absorbs outside heat and distributes it inside (in winter) and absorbs indoor heat before releasing it outside (in summer).
Another basic tip is to always ensure you set the temperature appropriately, because every degree of extra heating or cooling can increase energy consumption by 5-10%. Set thermostats to 18-20°C in winter and 25-27°C in summer.
Want to do more? Turn your home into a battery for heat. This means your home stores energy in the form of heat, ready to be used when needed.
Not sure how to make your home into a battery? Read on!
How to make your home into a battery for heat
When you think of an everyday battery and how it works, you probably think of stored energy that’s ready and waiting to be drawn on. We’re using this analogy to explore how you can make the most of your home’s capacity to store heat.
By trapping warm air in, and keeping cool air out, you’re well on the way to staying warm in winter and the early stages of spring. For example, by optimising your home’s insulation, sealing drafts with door snakes and new door/ window seals, and opening blinds during the day to allow the sunshine in, you maximise your home’s natural heat storage capacity.
By storing heat in your home, you also minimise the need to use energy-hungry heating. When the sun goes down and the outside air cools, the heat stored inside your home from the day’s warmth will go a long way (particularly when those gaps are sealed). If and when you do turn on the heater, it will be less intensive (and therefore more budget-friendly).
Even better, when you electrify everything and install a solar + battery solution, the sun’s magnificent rays are maximised because you’re using them during the day and storing the excess in your battery to use when the sun goes down.
Not sure what to look for in a solar battery? Read our article on the Best Solar Battery Storage in Australia 2025.
How to get solar savings in spring
With longer days and more sunshine, spring is the perfect time to install a solar + battery solution. By generating your own energy and storing any excess, you can reduce your reliance on the grid and save money on your electricity bills. Plus, any excess solar energy you generate that you're not using or storing can be exported to the grid, earning you money through feed-in tariffs.
You can maximise your solar system by heating your home when the sun is shining and your solar panels are producing clean energy. Then you can switch off when the sun goes down and use the heat retained in your home to stay comfortable.
Solar energy can be captured and stored in your very own battery. So, when you require heating during those cool mornings and evenings (after your naturally stored heating has been depleted) you can run your chosen heating appliance from your solar battery. In this example, it’s important that your heater runs on electricity - because that’s how solar energy is used!
Many Plico members tell us they are self-sufficient in spring, when they are less reliant on high energy use appliances for heating and cooling. During spring their solar power can last through the night - they simply store their generated solar energy in their battery during the day and use it during the evening to power their home.
When you install a solar + battery solution, make a plan to gradually electrify everything (such as heaters, stovetops and hot water) in order to get the most from your new system.
More spring saving tips
Spring is the season of renewal and growth, and it's also an opportunity to review and refine our energy usage, which evolves with the change of the seasons. As the days lengthen and our lifestyle adjusts, it's important to be mindful of our energy consumption and take steps to reduce our impact on the environment. It's also a great time for spring clean - and that applies to energy use as well!
Switch to LED light bulbs
LED light bulbs use less energy and generate less heat than halogen bulbs (which cost over 3x as much to run). By opting for LEDs when your old light bulbs wear out, you can save money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, not to mention reduce the excess heat that comes with using these old-fashioned bulbs. Longer days also mean more natural light - no need to turn those lights on so early!
Mind your refrigerator
Spring is a good time to check over your fridge. Make sure the coils are clean and free from dust, as clean coils can help reduce energy usage, and double check the seals. You should also avoid leaving the fridge door open for too long, as this can cause it to work harder and use more energy. Finally, try to keep your fridge stocked without overloading it – a well-stocked fridge can help keep things cool without having to work as hard. Temperatures should be set to -4°C for the fridge and -18°C for your freezer.
Spring clean your cooling system
As the weather starts to warm up, it's important to ensure that your ducted, split system, or evaporative cooling system is in good working order. Clean out your air conditioning filters and check that your unit is working properly. You should also dust your fans and make sure they're ready to use when you need them. Finally, if you have a pool, make sure it's clean and set up for the warmer months ahead by cleaning out the filters and baskets and updating the pump timer to work during the daylight hours.
Use natural ventilation
Instead of using air conditioning as a default, try opening windows and doors to let fresh air circulate through your home. Opening doors and windows at opposite ends of the house allows for cross-ventilation and means you can let nature do the hard work cooling your home. This can help reduce your energy usage and improve indoor air quality.
Reduce water usage
Spring is a great time to start conserving water by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and using a broom instead of a hose to clean outdoor areas. Wash clothes on a cold cycle and use those gorgeous sun rays to dry your clothes, rather than a clothes dryer.
Buy local produce
Buying locally grown produce not only supports your local economy, but it also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting food long distances. You should also buy for the season. Spring has a huge variety of seasonal produce including avocados, bananas, blueberries, broccoli, lettuce and spinach. So always consider local providers and seasonal produce when you're meal planning for spring!
Inspired to learn more about installing a solar + battery solution at your place and saving on energy bills this spring? Chat with a switched-on Plico team member on 1300 175 426 or fill out the contact form below.
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