Sure, there’s still some warm weather hanging about.

But but we all know that winter has a habit of sneaking up on us and before we know it, the heater’s fired up and we’re rolling out the winter woollies.

Autumn’s an ideal time to get our home ready for the cool weather around the corner, looking for opportunities to maximise energy efficiency and minimise costs.

Make draught concessions

Even if your home’s well insulated or heated, warmth can still escape out through gaps and cracks – taking your energy savings with it.

Weather sealing your home is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of reducing heat loss. It’s also a great option if you’re renting and wish to improve comfort levels with little or no fuss.

Seal cracks with a filler, install draught stoppers and check fans or vents for gaps. You’ll notice the difference.

It’s never too late to insulate

If you’re yet to properly insulate your home, think about the long-term benefits it could bring to your comfort levels and energy usage over the cooler months. (It’ll also help keep you cool in summer!)

Insulation products vary depending on your home location, build type, roof design and more.

Talk to an expert for guidance on the right solution for you, with the appropriate Australian standards in mind.

Cut the shower power

As the weather cools, time spent under a hot shower seems to get longer – not to mention the propensity to make use of those handy heat lamps. It all adds up to increased energy usage and costs.

Water Corporation recommends showering for as long as your favourite four-minute song. Sing your lungs out as you scrub away, then have a bathrobe and slippers handy to keep your post-shower power usage down.

Let there be (energy-efficient) light

With summer past us the days are only going to get shorter and, as a result, we’ll be turning household lights on much earlier.

Where possible, switch to energy-efficient lighting sources. They might be a few dollars extra, but will deliver significant impact on your energy savings across the year.

For the most part, LED bulbs are your best bet – up to 4-5 times more efficient than your standard incandescent or halogen varieties.

Give your home the right window treatment

The lion’s share of household heating can escape through your windows, so it’s important to prepare your home for the cooler months with appropriate winter window treatment.

Let as much light in as possible during a sunny day, but also check for cracks in window frames and consider curtains or block-out blinds to improve heat retention.

As a last resort, consider the long-term benefits of window glazing.