When summer fades and the temperature starts to fall, it's time to get ready for winter. As the autumn leaves begin to fall, many of us want our energy bills to fall as well. Before we start up the heater, making some little changes in Autumn can mean some big savings and greater comfort come winter. We’ve put together six Autumn inspired energy saving tips to keep you and your family cosy.

Get Autumn ready with our energy saving tips

There are lots of ways you can get your home ready for winter, reduce your energy bills and make your living spaces more comfortable to suit your personal preferences. Now is the perfect time to get your garden ready, service your heater and install a solar battery. Here are our top tips:

1. How a solar battery can reduce your power bills

Solar battery storage is growing in popularity with many turning to the option to reduce our growing power bills, here’s why you need to get on board now:

1. Store free energy from your solar panels during the day
2. Use the free energy at night - when electricity is most expensive
3. Cheaper power = reduced power bills and you save money!

Adding a solar battery system with Reposit will ensure you’re only connected to the grid when you need to be and only when energy prices are at their lowest, saving money on your power bill.

When your solar battery is full and your solar panels are producing more energy than your household is using, any energy you use at home during this time is essentially free.

With winter around the corner it means your solar panels won’t be getting enough sun - Reposit optimisation means you won’t have to worry about buying expensive electricity again. Reposit charges your battery from cheap overnight power.

2. Examine your electricity plan - are you on the right plan?

Do you know what plan you are currently on? It’s time to sit down and take a good look at how much you are paying, chances are, you’re paying too much for your electricity!

Here are some tips to consider when comparing plans:

• The rate per kWh
• Fixed supply charges
• Discounts - do these apply to the whole bill (fixed supply charges and usage charges) or are they for usage only? This can make a big difference to your bill and savings. Some discounts are estimates that assume that you pay your bill on time and that you pay by a certain payment method, such as direct debit
• Late fees
• Length of contract – are there any exit fees or transferring fees when moving house?
• Other terms and conditions, read the fine print for any hidden extra fees

Get to know your power bill. We think energy should be easy to understand so we’ve collated some useful information to help you understand your electricity bill.

3.  Get a pool cover - it can reduce your running costs by up to 50 per cent annually!

It is a simple, quick and effective way to cut your costs. How does a pool cover make such a difference? A good pool cover will cut the costs of:

• Water – reduce evaporation by around 97 per cent.  During summer, a 8 x 4 metre pool will lose around 10,500 litres of water due to evaporation which is 25 per cent of your total pool water.
• Chemicals –  exposure to sunlight destroys chlorine.
• Cleaning – pool covers prevent leaves, debris, and dirt from entering the pool. Which means less cleaning, and less energy costs of running the filter and cleaner.  What’s more, it means you’re using fewer chemicals to clean your pool.
• Heating – If you heat your pool, evaporation accounts for around 70 per cent of heat loss. A pool cover will dramatically cut your heating running costs.
  Get more energy saving tips for your pool

4. Clean out the cobwebs! Service your heater and clean the filter

Before you turn on your heater, make sure you clean it. You may even be able to clean your ducted heating system yourself. If you have kids or pets you should check the ducts for fun surprises like crayons, food, and small toys. Here are a few tips to keep your ducts clean:

• Make sure your system is fitted with a good-quality air filter and change it twice yearly.
• Remove the vent grates and wash them in warm soapy water then allow them to dry thoroughly.
• Remove anything large from the bottom of the vent then gently vacuum away any remaining dust and debris.
• If the vent is dirty (something may have spilled down there) clean it with a damp cloth, then dry the area thoroughly.
  

5. Get outside - inspect your solar panels and clean your gutters

Solar panels should be inspected annually. Before you clean your panels check the manual first on how to shut down panels.

You should be able to clean your panels from the ground, with a hose and long soft brush or broom. If that’s not possible, don’t get on your roof unless you have the appropriate safety equipment and training. It might be easier to hire a qualified professional instead. Ask your installer for a maintenance schedule.

Your gutters probably need a good clean out seasonally. Clean gutters means your home’s foundation is protected against possible water damage. Again your safety should come first. You’ll need a good pair of gardening gloves and a small trowel, if you have one, makes it faster to get rid of debris and leaves.

6. Find and seal air leaks think windows, doors

Avoid up to 24 per cent of heat loss by sealing gaps and cracks, and covering fan outlets and fireplaces when not in use. In fact, Australian buildings leak warm or cold air two to four times more than European homes and buildings.

If your thinking about investing in a smart solar battery system our team of experts can give you free advice or get in touch to get you started.