Sentry Page Protection
TIP STORE: HOUSEHOLD: Heating & Cooling
Heat Flying Out the Vents
If you have ducted air conditioning, when winter comes around, the heat just flies out the vents. It’s easy to make vent covers (inserts) and you will notice the difference immediately. Take out one of the vents from each room and make sure you measure each one, write it down. You need 4 pieces for each vent. You can use mdf, work out the cuts you need and the hardware store will often be able to do the cuts for you, if you buy the wood from them, otherwise if you do it yourself, the cuts have to pretty accurate for them to fit. Paint the covers however you like.
Fit the covers between the vent and the frame, this can be fiddly, but take a breathe, and remember the vent inside is probably round, so try and use that to your advantage.
Finally finished.
Remember :
Take them out before you start up aircon before summer.
Every room is different, every vent size will be different. You can make the vent covers smaller, and sit them in top of the vents to give you a bit of airflow, good in a bedroom or room that’s not open often to stop it going stale.
While you are doing this is a perfect time to actually give the vents a wash in the sink, cause they will be yucky.
Contributed by Denise Scotford
Fit the covers between the vent and the frame, this can be fiddly, but take a breathe, and remember the vent inside is probably round, so try and use that to your advantage.
Finally finished.
Remember :
Take them out before you start up aircon before summer.
Every room is different, every vent size will be different. You can make the vent covers smaller, and sit them in top of the vents to give you a bit of airflow, good in a bedroom or room that’s not open often to stop it going stale.
While you are doing this is a perfect time to actually give the vents a wash in the sink, cause they will be yucky.
Contributed by Denise Scotford
Keeping Warm for Free
Sleep in a sleeping bag on your bed, or sit in one to watch tv. This will keep you toasty warm without using electricity.
Contributed by Gabrielle Pellissier
Contributed by Gabrielle Pellissier
Quick Effective Weather Strip
Another thing you can do to stop wind from coming in under your doors is cut a water spaghetti length ways and slide under your door. I have found them in the rubbish throw outs so it costs nothing just time to find them.
Contributed by Drew Willard
Contributed by Drew Willard
Cleaning Glass on a Wood Heater
It's winter and anyone with a wood heater will start to get a dirty glass door. When this happens you also loose a little heat efficiency. There is an almost no cost solution I learnt and you do it before you clean out the ash. You need scrunched up newspaper, water and the cold ash from your fire. Dampen the newspaper, dab it into the ash (extra tip, sometimes I find it helps to the spray the ash with a little water when it's on the newspaper), then clean the inside glass with circular motion. If you find that it's not doing anything anymore, repeat with a fresh scrunched up newspaper. It works really well and uses no other chemicals.
Contributed by Airlie Ogilvie
Contributed by Airlie Ogilvie
Draught Stopper for Sliding Doors
To stop draughts between the fixed window part and the sliding door, I came up with the following solution. Buy a 'Dual Draught Guard' from a 'dollar shop' for $3.50. (This item is designed to stop draughts by sliding under an interior door) It consists of two narrow 78cm pieces of foam covered and connected by a strong robust black material. To utilise this for the sliding door, I cut it down the middle of the material and then placed black stick-on Velcro dots ($2.50 a packet) along one side of the material and pressed the whole piece onto the side of the door with the rounded part keeping out the draughts. I then repeated the process with the other piece. I can now keep out the Ocean winds and also open the door easily without damaging my draught stopper. :o) It is hardly noticeable and still in use since last Winter. It can also be removed and stored during warmer months.
Contributed by Janice Dickson
Contributed by Janice Dickson
Heating/Cooling Electricity Savings
I live in a fibro home that is freezing in winter and boiling in summer. I rent so don't want to spend money making the house more permanently efficient in heating/cooling so we occasionally use the installed reverse cycle air con in our lounge. My partner and I spend most of our time in this room, which has two doorway entrances on either side of it - but no doors on them. Last winter, after receiving a massive electricity bill, I tacked up two heavy woollen blankets against the doorways which trap all the heat into the lounge room rather than it flowing out into the kitchen or the hallway. This keeps the room so much warmer in winter and so much cooler in winter. I also found that by regularly cleaning the reverse cycle air con filters really helps with its efficiency and it doesn't have to work as hard.
Contributed by Leah Doyle
Contributed by Leah Doyle
Get the Fire Going Easily
We use a combustion stove and heater during winter so I make fire starters out of paper egg cartons, sawdust or dryer lint and wax from old candles to get the fires burning. I carefully melt wax from old candles (I have a box full that melted into funny shapes during the summer heatwave last year) and while the wax is melting, I tear the top off the egg cartons, lay the bottoms on newspaper and fill each cup with sawdust or dryer lint. Then, I carefully pour the melted wax over the sawdust and allow them to harden and cool. These are fool-proof tools for lighting wood heaters and fireplaces, we have even used them to get the Webber going. A lot of people save their egg cartons, old candles and dryer lint for me and I, in turn, supply them with fire starters for their wood heaters.
Contributed by Tanya
Contributed by Tanya
Save on Heating and Cooling Costs While Decorating
Approximate $ Savings: $200 or more
Last year I made a roman blind from some leftover thermal block material I had bought from Spotlight on sale for half price. My windows are not a standard size, so I decided to make my own roman blind. The hardware I bought from Bunnings cost me about $30, so the project was more affordable than buying ready made blinds. After we hung the blind I noticed that at night when the blind was down in our lounge room I was running the heating for only about half an hour, and the house stayed much warmer. I used to run the heater for about six or seven hours, so at heating costs of about 20 cents per hour, I have started saving a lot more money! The instructions for the roman blind I found by Googling "roman blind tutorial" and there were lots of free tutorials. It only took me a couple of hours to make and hang, and it works really well. Just be sure to add a bracket or cord fastener to keep loose cords away from little people for their safety.
Contributed by Lori Woodward
Last year I made a roman blind from some leftover thermal block material I had bought from Spotlight on sale for half price. My windows are not a standard size, so I decided to make my own roman blind. The hardware I bought from Bunnings cost me about $30, so the project was more affordable than buying ready made blinds. After we hung the blind I noticed that at night when the blind was down in our lounge room I was running the heating for only about half an hour, and the house stayed much warmer. I used to run the heater for about six or seven hours, so at heating costs of about 20 cents per hour, I have started saving a lot more money! The instructions for the roman blind I found by Googling "roman blind tutorial" and there were lots of free tutorials. It only took me a couple of hours to make and hang, and it works really well. Just be sure to add a bracket or cord fastener to keep loose cords away from little people for their safety.
Contributed by Lori Woodward
Keep Out the Cold
I've read with interest the hints on bubble wrap for windows etc. The easiest way I have found for keeping out the cold, and it costs nothing, is late afternoon shut all the doors not being used, bedroom etc. Simple and easy and cost effective.
Contributed byJoan Pollock
Contributed byJoan Pollock
Keeping the Cold Out
Keeping warm this winter has been difficult and keeping the costs low. Nourishing warm soups are cheap to make and warm up the kitchen and tummies. Heat the areas you are using: close bathroom and bedrooms doors, heat the living area, opening the bedroom doors just before bedtimes. Close the vents in rooms not being used. Block drafts and door ways with stockings filled with wadding. Remember the old water bottle very cheap to buy and very warm. My children have loved snuggling up in their own blankets made from op shop scraps and old bunny rugs. Dinner by candle light is a nice way to save power and still be warm.
Contributed by Linda Sutton
Contributed by Linda Sutton
Dried Citrus Fire Fuel
This is one of the many tips from my Gran who was a housewife during the depression and war. Never throw citrus peel in the bin or the compost. Dry the skins in a cool oven after you've finished cooking using the 'leftover' heat. These skins are then wonderful to put on an open fire. The oil in the skins makes them burn well and they give off a lovely fresh smell. Even if you are a real Cheapskate and grate the rind from the orange or lemon before eating the flesh, the dried skins can still be used as fuel but they won't smell as nice. They keep a fire going though and they cost nothing but a tiny bit of effort.
Contributed by Georgina Richard
Contributed by Georgina Richard
The Cold Water Bottle
With the uncomfortable hot weather that we have been enduring lately in Victoria I have resorted to my old trick of regularly freezing plastic soft-drink or cordial bottles filled with water. Once frozen I wrap the bottle in a tea-towel or even place it in a hand-made hot-water bottle cover. I take my cold-water bottle to bed to keep cool. You need to make sure that you wrap the bottle properly otherwise your bed sheets can end up a little damp. By doing this I essentially create the opposite to a hot water bottle. It beats paying large amounts of money for the air-conditioner to be left on for hours at a time. The beauty of this hint is that in the morning you can just put the bottle back in the freeze and it should be ready for bedtime, there's no need to waste water. I have survived the summer heat using this hint for years now, it certainly makes bed-time more comfortable.
Contributed by Natasha, Broadmeadows
Contributed by Natasha, Broadmeadows
Saw Mill Off-cuts Make Perfect Budget Firewood
Approximate $ Savings: $400 +
My family uses the fireplace instead of heaters or air-conditioning to heat the house in winter. Buying a bag of pre-chopped firewood at the shop costs around $7, which lasts for all of three days. Collecting firewood takes time (and is not allowed in some areas) and then effort to chop it to size. Instead, we have been taking the trailer out to our local sawmill for the past four or five years and filling it with off-cuts. They charge $15 for a trailer load (any size trailer) and the off-cuts are the perfect size to fit our fireplace. One $15 trailer load lasts us all winter!
Contributed by Sandra, Noosa
My family uses the fireplace instead of heaters or air-conditioning to heat the house in winter. Buying a bag of pre-chopped firewood at the shop costs around $7, which lasts for all of three days. Collecting firewood takes time (and is not allowed in some areas) and then effort to chop it to size. Instead, we have been taking the trailer out to our local sawmill for the past four or five years and filling it with off-cuts. They charge $15 for a trailer load (any size trailer) and the off-cuts are the perfect size to fit our fireplace. One $15 trailer load lasts us all winter!
Contributed by Sandra, Noosa
Heaters are Expensive to Use
With the cold weather here now, to save money on extra power bills, get out the hot water bottles. They are fabulous if I'm reading or watching TV or on the computer. I just fill with near boiling water and put it on my lap, behind my back or under my feet. I put one in my son's bed every night and he loves it. Before he has his bath I wrap it up with his pjs so when he gets out of bath his pjs are lovely and warm. In the morning I put the water on plants that don't get the rain . I cannot imagine life without our hot water bottles. I always have quilts, rugs and throws over the arms of the lounge too.
Contributed by Sherrie, Herron
Contributed by Sherrie, Herron
Light the Fire with Candle Butts
Approximate $ Savings: $10.00 or more
The cold days and nights of winter can be quite costly especially if you have an open fire, wood stove or Coonara type of heating. For many years I used to save the butt ends of my used candles as firelighters. You simply stack your fire with kindling and paper and place a few of those old candle butts in. The fire will light so quickly and won't go out. Not only do the candle butts work, but they smell fantastic leaving a lovely fresh scent in the home, they are also free of the harmful petroleum chemicals that bought fire lighters have. You can scent your home and keep warm for minimal dollars. Ask your friends to save them for you, leave a note in the schools newsletters. This truly works and if you are lucky enough to live near a candle making factory, then pay them a visit. Most candle factories will bag up their butts for you often for free or for $5.00. This will keep you going for a very long time. The candle butts also work very well with pine cones!! Happy Burning :-)
Contributed by Georgie,
The cold days and nights of winter can be quite costly especially if you have an open fire, wood stove or Coonara type of heating. For many years I used to save the butt ends of my used candles as firelighters. You simply stack your fire with kindling and paper and place a few of those old candle butts in. The fire will light so quickly and won't go out. Not only do the candle butts work, but they smell fantastic leaving a lovely fresh scent in the home, they are also free of the harmful petroleum chemicals that bought fire lighters have. You can scent your home and keep warm for minimal dollars. Ask your friends to save them for you, leave a note in the schools newsletters. This truly works and if you are lucky enough to live near a candle making factory, then pay them a visit. Most candle factories will bag up their butts for you often for free or for $5.00. This will keep you going for a very long time. The candle butts also work very well with pine cones!! Happy Burning :-)
Contributed by Georgie,
Open Up the House and Let the Cool Air In
As soon as the sun starts to go down, open up all the blinds, curtains, windows and doors and let the hot air of the day out. Keep as many windows and doors open overnight as possible to cool the house down. Set your alarm for 5.30am (or just before sunrise) and jump up and shut everything up again. You'll be surprised at just how cool you can keep your house if you do this during heatwaves. Contributed by Martin
Sleep Like a Baby During a Heatwave
Sleep well at night by using reverse cycle heat bags. Put your wheat or rice packs in the freezer during the day and then use them to rest your feet on at night. You'll cool down really quickly and be able to sleep like a baby.
Contributed by Trudy
Contributed by Trudy
A Feline Hot Pack
Approximate $ Savings: $6+
I know this is a strange one, but it sort of made sense to me at the time. Savings $6+ to start off + power saving ongoing : not only the new cost for replacements there's the saving of power for hot water for water bottle or power to microwave the wheat/rice pack. And all of those gradually cool, this doesn't. No need to keep getting up to reheat (very useful for those who have to spend a lot of time in bed. I used to use an old fashioned rubber hot water bottle, it died a few years ago and was replaced with wheat and rice packs that are heated in the microwave. These regularly “die” when I hit the wrong time on the microwave and scorch them (icky smell). I just discovered yesterday that I already had the perfect supply of heat that was constant, as long as I didn't move enough to disturb the source of the warmth. Got an idea of what I mean yet? Yes it is furry, it purrs and it spends much of it's life spoiled rotten. Why have I only just discovered this? Because my tabby one was a stray I took in a couple of years back, she had obviously been very badly mistreated and this has made her very feisty, don't ever try to pick her up, let along pat down her back. But yesterday I accidentally dropped a blanket over her while lying down. Huge surprise. She snuggled down and stayed there, like a perfectly heated wheat/rice pack, except it didn't cool down, stayed perfect. So if you do have a cat, even one that you don't think would handle being on you and under a blanket, try it, you never know if you have one like this till you have a go (that's if you already have a furry body to use, don't go get one just for this tip, it'll cost you more than you save in food alone).
Contributed by Pam
I know this is a strange one, but it sort of made sense to me at the time. Savings $6+ to start off + power saving ongoing : not only the new cost for replacements there's the saving of power for hot water for water bottle or power to microwave the wheat/rice pack. And all of those gradually cool, this doesn't. No need to keep getting up to reheat (very useful for those who have to spend a lot of time in bed. I used to use an old fashioned rubber hot water bottle, it died a few years ago and was replaced with wheat and rice packs that are heated in the microwave. These regularly “die” when I hit the wrong time on the microwave and scorch them (icky smell). I just discovered yesterday that I already had the perfect supply of heat that was constant, as long as I didn't move enough to disturb the source of the warmth. Got an idea of what I mean yet? Yes it is furry, it purrs and it spends much of it's life spoiled rotten. Why have I only just discovered this? Because my tabby one was a stray I took in a couple of years back, she had obviously been very badly mistreated and this has made her very feisty, don't ever try to pick her up, let along pat down her back. But yesterday I accidentally dropped a blanket over her while lying down. Huge surprise. She snuggled down and stayed there, like a perfectly heated wheat/rice pack, except it didn't cool down, stayed perfect. So if you do have a cat, even one that you don't think would handle being on you and under a blanket, try it, you never know if you have one like this till you have a go (that's if you already have a furry body to use, don't go get one just for this tip, it'll cost you more than you save in food alone).
Contributed by Pam
Prevent Hot Air From Rising
If you have any in-ceiling exhaust fans throughout your home that don't get a lot of use, for example in the laundry or spare bathrooms etc, make a round disc that you can put inside to stop all of your heating in those rooms disappearing out into your roof space. The disc can be made from something as cheap and simple as newspaper or cardboard and easily placed inside the fan by removing the plastic cover, inserting newspaper disc and closing back up again.
Contributed by Melina
Contributed by Melina
Free Firelighters
Approximate $ Savings: $5 per week
Instead of using firelighters to help start the wood heater, try cutting up a wax fruit box into pieces. You can get them at the supermarket or fruit shop, they are usually happy to get rid of them. They work as well as a firelighter and cost nothing. Just make sure they are wax coated.
Contributed by Prue
Instead of using firelighters to help start the wood heater, try cutting up a wax fruit box into pieces. You can get them at the supermarket or fruit shop, they are usually happy to get rid of them. They work as well as a firelighter and cost nothing. Just make sure they are wax coated.
Contributed by Prue
Comfort Without Air-conditioning
We live in Perth and the past few summers we have threatened to install air-conditioning but could not bring ourselves to spend the $10,000+ it would cost to air condition our large home (let alone the extra electricity charges!). Each summer we have implemented more cost effective, power efficient and environmentally friendly ways to reduce the heat inside. We have installed spray in roof insulation, roof ventilation (Whirlybirds), window tinting to windows with a western or northerly exposure, an external sun screen to a western window that receives intense afternoon sun, internal blinds that allow light in and maintain vision out, lockable stainless steel mesh fly screens that allow us to open up the house at night, ceiling fans to bedrooms and locks on windows that allow them to be locked partially open at night. In all we have spent less than $5000 over time and visitors comment how nice and cool our house is to step into on a hot day. Our outlay has been halved and our ongoing power expenses are negligible.
Contributed by Cherie
Contributed by Cherie
Spreading the Cool Air
We have a small split system air conditioning unit we use on very hot days. We've found an efficient way of making the cool air go further, by putting on the 'cool' fan of our ducted heater as well. This means that the cool air gets carried further and the edge is taken off the hot air in other rooms as well. We take care to close doors and ducts to rooms we don't wish to cool, making the system even more efficient. We find it works for us, as our house isn't huge.
Contributed by Josie
Contributed by Josie