As the cooler autumn months start to come in and the days get shorter across South Australia, it's the ideal time to start thinking about how you can save energy while still keeping your home warm and comfortable.

At SA Power Networks, we understand that energy use (and bills) can increase in the colder months, but with a few simple changes, you can still make your home more energy efficient and reduce your bills.

Here are our top 10 tips for saving energy made easy this autumn in South Australia.

1. Make the most of natural sunlight

Autumn days tend to be crisp and clear, giving you the opportunity to make the most of the natural light.

Open the curtains on any north-facing windows during the day to allow the sun to heat your home naturally. However, in late afternoon and as the evening approaches, make sure you close them again in order to keep the warmth in and prevent heat loss through the glass.

2. Insulate your home

Ensuring your home is well-insulated is one of the most effective ways to retain heat and reduce consumption so that your home is more energy efficient. Good insulation helps to keep the warmth inside, and also enables your heating system to work more efficiently.

Ahead of the autumn and cooler weather it’s a good idea to check your insulation levels and consider adding more if necessary, especially in the roof, walls and floors.

Thick curtains or double-glazed windows are very effective at keeping the warmth in and the cold at bay.

3. Seal off gaps and drafts

Significant amounts of heat can escape your home through untreated gaps around the doors and windows. This autumn, take the time to seal off any drafts using seal strips, door seals and draft excluders (or door snakes) ahead of winter.

This simple step can make a noticeable difference in maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your home, while also helping you to get more efficient energy use from your heat pump or reverse cycle air conditioning.

4. An energy-efficient approach to home heating

When the temperature begins to drop, it’s tempting immediately to turn up the thermostat on your heat pump or reverse cycle air conditioning.

However, you can save energy by using a programmable thermostat that adjusts your heating based on your schedule, so that you aren’t using energy to heat your house when no-one is at home. You should also close doors to make sure you are only heating rooms that you are using.

It could also make sense to use space heaters if you are only using a relatively small living space, rather than using your heating system to heat the entire house.

5. Turn off appliances you’re not using

You might not realise it, but your kitchen appliances and electronic devices like TVs and laptops continue to draw power from the grid even when they are plugged in and not being used.

You can therefore save energy by turning your appliances off at the wall when they’re not in use.

6. Make the switch to energy-efficient appliances

Autumn is a good time to replace your older, inefficient appliances with newer, more energy-efficient models.

When you are considering new appliances, take note of the number of stars on the Energy Rating Label — more stars means you get more efficient energy use without sacrificing performance. As a result, the savings on your energy bills over time can be considerable.

7. Set lower hot water temperatures

In most Adelaide households, hot water is a significant proportion of overall energy use.

If you lower the temperature on your hot water system to around 60°C (140°F), you can save energy while still having enough hot water for everyday use. Taking shorter showers can also help reduce your overall energy consumption.

8. Dress warmly even when indoors

Rather than relying on your heat pump heating system or reverse cycle air conditioner to provide all the warmth, you can save energy by wearing more layers of clothing even when you are indoors.

This will mean that you reduce your reliance on heating without sacrificing comfort, and can cut heating costs throughout the winter months.

9. Take advantage of energy efficiency rebates

In South Australia, the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) offers rebates and incentives for households to encourage more efficient energy use of appliances.

This means you may be eligible to receive a rebate for the purchase of a new, energy-efficient fridge, freezer or heat pump dryer, as well as a hot water or air conditioner upgrade.

If you have a concession card or are a low-income renter, you may also be eligible for other discounts and special offers.

10. Plant deciduous trees where you can

If it is possible, planting deciduous trees on the sunny side of your home could prove to be a cost-effective investment that will save energy and money.

Deciduous trees that are strategically placed will provide natural shade during the summer months, but as they lose their leaves during the winter you will still be able to take advantage of any winter sunlight that is available during the day to warm up your home.

Want to learn more about saving energy made easy?

By putting into action as many of these autumn energy saving tips as you can, you can make your Adelaide home more energy-efficient and comfortable throughout the coming colder months.

For more information on energy saving and keeping your power costs under control, visit the SA Power Networks Be Energy Efficient page.