Preparing for seasonal changes in your power use

Why is a warm, dry home important?

Keeping your home at the right temperature has a direct impact on your health and wellbeing. The World Health Organization states that households should be at least 18 degrees Celsius, with a recommended minimum of 20 degrees Celsius for homes with babies or older people. It helps us prevent:

Breathing problems: Dampness and mould can cause breathing problems, trigger asthma symptoms and cause other health issues.

Heart stress: If your home is colder than 12 degrees Celcius, it can put more pressure on your heart.

How does power use change with the seasons?

Winter often sees a surge in power use. Longer nights and colder temperatures mean we rely more on lights, heating, and appliances. In particular, homes with electric heating or large hot-water cylinders use more power.

Poor insulation and older heating systems can also push power use higher, as heat escapes more quickly and inefficient appliances use more electricity.

Summer often means less power use. Longer daylight hours mean the lights and electric heating appliances stay off for longer. Electric fans and air conditioners can still push up the power bill, and so can outdoor appliances like pool pumps. Fridges alone use 10-30% more electricity in the summer.

How can I prepare for seasonal changes?

Plan ahead: Check your bills from last winter and plan your budget to cover the likely increase.

Improve home efficiency: Before winter hits, check insulation, seal draughts, service heaters, and make sure your hot-water system runs efficiently so it doesn't use more energy than it needs.

Pay the same amount each time: Chat to your power company about setting up a payment plan that spreads the cost of your bills throughout the year. This could be weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. This way, you know what you'll pay each time, helping you stay within your budget.

Which plans are best to manage seasonal costs?

Choosing the right type of plan can help you manage seasonal fluctuations better:

Fixed-rate and equal payment plans: Fixed-rate plans give you a clearer idea of  your electricity cost, with an agreed rate for the term of your contract. An equal payment plan will charge you the same amount every month, to help spread the cost of more expensive power months.

Time-of-use plans: These charge different amounts depending on when you use power. For example, if you can shift your power use to the off-peak times of your plan, you may be able to save.

Check your plan each year and think about how your power use changes across different seasons. This can help you to see if your plan still feels right for you.