5 home hacks to slash winter heating bills revealed

Temperatures are dropping around the country, and so that means power bills go up as we increase our energy consumption to avoid freezing during the colder months.

While higher energy bills are virtually inevitable during winter, one interior design expert says you can reduce bill shock through some simple home hacks.

Vault Interiors founder and principal stylist Justine Wilson says you can create a warm and inviting home, and reduce your need to crank up the heater, by making a few simple changes to your interior styling.

“With energy costs continuing to rise, homeowners are becoming much more conscious about how they heat their homes,” says Wilson.

“The good news is that smart styling choices can help retain warmth, reduce heat loss and create a cosy atmosphere without relying heavily on electricity or gas.”

Through layered textures and more considered furniture placement, you can make your home feel more comfortable and operate more efficiently.

And they don’t have to break the bank.

Here are her top tips to make your home more welcoming and cost-effective:

1. Layer textures to trap warmth

Soft furnishings will mane a home feel instantly warmer.

“Think chunky knit throws, wool blankets, velvet cushions and layered bedding,” Wilson says. “These fabrics help retain warmth while creating that cosy, winter-ready look.”

Tip: Go for warm seasonal tones such as caramel, rust, deep greens and warm neutrals. These will make your home look warmer.

2. Add rugs to insulate floors

Bare floors, particularly tiles, concrete and timber feel cold underfoot and allow heat to escape – making a room feel colder.

“Adding large rugs to living areas and bedrooms creates an extra insulation layer while also softening the space visually,” Wilson says.

Tip: Choose rugs that extend under key furniture pieces such as sofas and beds. This creates a more cohesive and insulated feeling.

3. Switch to heavier window coverings

Windows are the quickest way to lose heat this winter.

“Swapping lightweight curtains for thicker fabrics like linen blends, velvet or thermal-lined curtains can significantly help retain heat indoors,” Wilson says.

Tip: Keep curtains open during the day to allow sunlight and heat in, and close them at night to trap the heat inside.

4. Rearrange furniture to maximise warmth

Through some small layout adjustments you can improve how heat circulates.

“Avoid blocking heaters or air vents with large furniture pieces,” Wilson says.

“Instead, position seating areas where they can benefit from both natural light and warmth.”

Tip: Create smaller conversation zones in large rooms. This will make the space feel warmer and more intimate.

5. Use lighting to create warmth

Lighting determines how cool or warm a room feels.

“Cool white lighting can make a space feel stark and cold,” Wilson says.

“Switching to warm-toned bulbs and adding table lamps or floor lamps creates a softer, more inviting glow.”

Tip: Don’t just think overhead lighting. Layer lighting with lamps and candles. This will create a cosy atmosphere.

Aside from creating a cosy, and hopefully a more energy-efficient home, styling your home for winter can also pay dividends to those selling.

“Buyers respond emotionally to homes that feel warm and inviting,” she says.

“When a home looks cosy and energy-efficient, people immediately imagine themselves living there, which can make a real difference when it comes time to sell.

A cosy home isn’t about spending more on heating, Wilson said.

“It’s about creating layers, warmth and thoughtful spaces that work with the season.”

It comes as new iSelect analysis lays bare how much common appliances add to bills across every state and territory.

The findings land amid a cost‑of‑living squeeze, forcing many to weigh up comfort against rising electricity charges.

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According to iSelect, the ACT is the most expensive place in the country to heat a home.

A reverse‑cycle airconditioner used for four hours a day over half the year is estimated to cost $1,471.20 annually.

South Australians aren’t far behind: a reverse‑cycle aircon is put at $1,164.62 a year, while a window‑wall unit could cost about $694.69 and a portable electric heater around $368.04 under the same assumptions.

Tasmania also feels the pinch, with reverse‑cycle heating estimated at $1,048.58 a year, window‑wall units at $636.64 and portable heaters at $337.04.

Victoria ranks next, with reverse‑cycle units at $1,045.71, window‑wall systems at $634.89 and portable heaters at $335.12 – its cheaper‑than‑average tariffs helping keep it out of the top three despite cold winters.

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New South Wales comes in mid‑pack, where heating with a reverse‑cycle aircon could cost about $938.27 a year on typical usage, while a portable heater may run to roughly $296.30. Queensland, unsurprisingly, is the cheapest state for heating at around $351.32 a year

The picture flips in summer when Queensland tops the nation for cooling costs, with a reverse‑cycle aircon run four hours a day for half the year estimated at $1,380.61 – almost double the national average of $723.25.

– with Lydia Kellner