We are well and truly immersed in winter, and after a few exceptionally lower overnight temperatures, you might now be dreading that moment you receive your winter bill.
Despite the chilly weather that looms over Melbourne, there are a few steps you can follow to ensure your chosen heating system is delivering at its most efficient. Read on to find out more…
Choose the right ducted heating system
A smart ducted heating system not only provides precise climate control in your home or office space, but is also equipped with highly sought-after features that keep it operating at its most efficient.
Zoned ducted heating (more on zoning below!) is one of the highest star-rated systems in terms of energy efficiency.
Not sure which heating and cooling solution is right for you? Explore our systems here.
Try lowering your thermostat by just 1 degree
It mightn’t seem like a big difference, but guess what? That’s the advantage!
Lowering your thermostat by just 1 degree is hardly noticed by you, your family, or your co-workers, and will not compromise your comfort or warmth. However, it can make quite an impact on your energy usage.
How much is 1 degree worth?
Of course, there’s no blanket answer here as specifications vary depending on several factors, including:
- Your personal preferences
- Your initial temperature
- The size of the space you are heating
- The condition (including age and energy star rating) of your heating system
Optimally, such a seemingly small adjustment may see you reduce your energy consumption by five to 10 percent!
Seal up escape routes
Those gaps around your doors and windows – where cold air seeps through – are simply wasting the efforts of your heating system! These gaps are rather obvious, but there are also less apparent gaps that should be identified and sealed.
Other gaps in the home may include:
- Electrical outlets
- Cable lines that run outside the house
- Vents and fans
- Baseboards
View this resource for more information.
Look at your windows
Heat quickly escapes through windows, especially at night, so ensure your home is fitted with high-quality and multi-purpose window coverings.
Sheer curtains can be used for moderate privacy throughout the day (while still letting sunshine in) while heavier blinds block out light and help trap heat in your home.
Improve and replace insulation
Insulation is akin to the unsung hero when it comes to efficient heating solutions.
While insulation doesn’t actually heat a space, it does play a critical role in controlling heat movement. This is actually important when it comes to both heating and cooling:
- During colder temperatures, insulation slows heat from moving outside a building (i.e. to a colder climate), thus keeping comfortable heat inside.
- During warmer temperatures, insulation helps to slow hot air (from the outside) entering a room or space, keeping the space cooler.
Without good quality insulation, your heating system is not working to its full potential! Improve the efficiency of your system with the right insulation.
Consider a programmable thermostat
Instead of manually adjusting your temperature during the day, when you leave the house, and at night, let something else do it for you!
A programmable thermostat is your best choice when it comes to creating energy efficient “zones” within your home: Now, you can stop wasting energy heating up each room of the house when you’re only using a few spaces, like the living room or office.
Nest Thermostat
One of the world’s favourite thermostats comes from Nest. Its cutting-edge technology allows you to “speak” to your home (even when you’re not there!) and perhaps best of all, learns your behaviour so you really can “set it and forget it”.
Through learning your ideal temperatures, it will adjust itself even when you’re not at home. Find out more about the Nest Thermostat from Coolpro here.
How to get the most out of your ducted heating system
Is your current heating system showing its age?
If it’s costing you too much through constant repairs, results in obscenely high bills, and is not delivering the efficiency you expect, consider whether it’s time for an upgrade.
Coolpro is Melbourne’s most trusted ducted heating and cooling specialist, delivering solutions for all types of homes, businesses, and commercial settings. From new builds to renovations, Coolpro works closely with a variety of related trades to create the most efficient solution!
Ready to chat? Contact us today (and you can even attach your plans!)
