Your home can lose heat through obvious places like around the windows and doors. But you could also be losing heat through your ceiling, walls and floor.

Examine where your house could be losing heat. This diagram shows where heat is lost from a typical home.

A. Let the sunshine into your home

Open curtains and blinds during the day and move any large objects that could be blocking light. By letting the sunlight warm tiled or concrete floors and brick walls, heat will be stored in the thermal mass, which will then warm your home into the evening.

B. Only heat the areas you need

Divide your home into sections (or zones) by closing doors to only heat the areas you’re using. For example, heat your living areas during the day but close the doors to your bedrooms.

C. Insulation

Insulation is any material that reduces the amount of heat transferred in and out of your home. It can help keep your home warmer in winter and reduce your need for heating appliances.

Find out more about  insulating your home.

D. Draught proofing

Using draught excluders under doors, sealing strips around doors and window frames, and filling gaps can help stop heat escaping.

By improving draught proofing and insulation you will be ensuring that any heating or cooling costs are minimised by reducing losses. This can also be useful if you are wanting to use your heating or cooling appliances in the day, when tariffs are cheaper, as the house will hold the desired temperature for longer into the evening.

Always try to 'heat the person, not the room' before turning on your heater.

Start with adding extra layers of clothing, using hot water bottles, wheat bags, or inexpensive electric throws or blankets.

Other simple changes can also keep you warmer this winter:

• Adjust your heater's louvres towards the floor, as hot air rises.
• Set your heater's thermostat to 18°C to 21°C or lower – every degree lower can reduce the running costs by up to 10%.
• Follow the maintenance instructions for your heater and service it regularly, including cleaning filters.
• Reversible ceiling fans help move warm air around a room. Check if you can change your fan settings to ‘winter’.

Size of the area heated

• Electric rugs or blankets heat you directly and air efficient for 1 or 2 people who are often idle. For example, watching TV on the lounge or lying in bed for longer periods.
• A small reverse cycle air conditioner is effective if you want to heat a small to medium space, where people are more active.
• Larger zoned heating systems can heat an entire home. You can zone off areas and the cost will depend on how many zones are being used.

Product features and specifics

• Compare the purchase, installation and running costs of the appliance. Also check the life span and warranty.
• If wanting to use existing or new solar and battery systems to power the appliance, consider its consumption and use case to minimise additional grid usage.
• If you want to use a new or an existing gas connection to power the appliance, consider both the connection costs and the additional supply charges.
• Look into convenience features such as timers, child locks and remote controls.

Most heaters and coolers have an energy rating label to ocmpare energy use and efficiency.

Larger zones ratings feature different efficiency ratings, depending on which climate zone  an air condition is used in (hot, average, or cold).

These ratings help shoppers make meaningful comparisons and allows retailers to promote the best air conditioners for the region.

Compare the estimated running costs of appliances on the  Energy Rating website.

Heating appliance	Hourly running costs	Works best in
Heated rug (electric)	Flat rate 4 to 6 cents Time of use 2 to 3 cents (shoulder) 3 to 5 cents (off-peak) 5 to 7 cents (peak)	1 or 2 people in one place
Heated blanket (electric)	Flat rate 5 to 6 cents Time of use 3 to 4 cents (shoulder) 4 to 5 cents (off-peak) 6 to 7 cents (peak)	1 or 2 people in one place
Radiant heater (electric)	Flat rate 40 to 54 cents Time of use 22 to 30 cents (shoulder) 31 to 42 cents (off-peak) 48 to 65 cents (peak)	1 or 2 people in one place
Small reverse cycle air conditioner	Flat rate 10 to 14 cents Time of use 6 to 7cents (shoulder) 8 to 11 cents (off-peak) 13 to 17 cents (peak)	Small room floor space 12 m2
Electric panel heater	Flat rate 48 to 65 cents Time of use 26 to 36 cents (shoulder) 47 to 51 cents (off-peak) 58 to 28 cents (peak)	Small room floor space 12 m2
Electric portable heater	Flat rate 96 cents to $1.29 Time of use 53 to 72 cents (shoulder) 75 cents to $1.01  (off-peak) $1.15 to $1.56 (peak)	Small room floor space 12 m2
Reverse cycle air conditioner	Flat rate 37 to 50 cents Time of use 20 to 28 cents (shoulder) 29 to 39 cents (off-peak) 41 to 60 cents (peak)	Large room floor space 36 m2
Gas heater	Flat rate 50 to 95 cents	Large room floor space 36 m2
Small combustion fire	Flat rate 60 to 82 cent	Large room floor space 36 m2
Zoned ducted reverse cycle air conditioner	Flat rate $2.50 to $2.02 Time of use 83 cents to $1.12 (shoulder) $1.16 to $1.57 (off-peak) $1.66 to $2.25 (peak)	Whole of house floor space 200 m2
Zoned ducted gas heating	Flat rate $2.78 to $3.05	Whole of house floor space 200 m2

Notes

Running costs are a guide only. Calculations are based on AGL’s standing retail contract electricity rates, which are generally aligned with the regulated Default Market Offer.