FIGHTING THE CRUNCH

WHILE Australia is one of the world’s biggest energy exporters, Australians are paying the highest energy in the world. It’s crazy.

So now is the time to fight back.

The first step is to visit www.energymadeeasy.gov. au, enter the details of your power bill and it will crunch the numbers to find the best plan for you. It’s independent, run by the government and it’s comprehensive.

Then change your behaviour to cut energy costs. Do these now;

1. Look out the window If you’ve thin, rattly windows, consider changing to double-glazed.

2. Insulate Insulation will keep your house warmer and keep you cool in summer.

3. Replace air filters If you’ve got central heating, it’s really important that you keep the air filters clean.

4. Turn on the fan If you have ceiling fans, use them to cycle heat around the room.

5. Use the oven Try and wait to cook until everyone’s home to benefit from the stove. Turn down the heating when the stove is on.

6. Let the sun in Open your curtains during the day. Rooms will soak up the warmth of the sun and release it during the night.

7. Close off unused space Close the doors to unused areas of the house. 8. Use a space heater If you’re only spending time in one room of the house, use a smaller space heater. 9. Put down a rug If you have floorboards, lay down rugs through winter.