The average Aussie home uses 40 percent of energy just for heating and cooling. Now we’ve officially hit winter, there’s a few home update ticks that will help you keep your costs down and be smart about your energy consumption.

Sustainable lighting

Bunnings National Lighting Buyer Kelly Squibb says it doesn’t have to be costly or complicated to make changes to the home that, in the long run, will save people money and reduce energy consumption. “People are becoming more concerned about sustainability,” she says. “LED globes are around 85 per cent more energy efficient and last five to 10 times longer.”

Seal up

Start by with correctly sealing your front door. This can be done by applying a foam seal to the inside edge of your doors and windows to prevent cold air entering in through the thin gap between your door and frame. You can also install a door seal to the bottom of your door, as these work to push the flap down when the door shuts, keeping the wind and the rain out, and the warm air in.

Plug up gaps

Timber floors look great but tend to attract the cold with gaps between floorboards letting in drafts. By laying down a thick rug, you will reduce the amount of chill coming through your floors as well as creating another level of comfort.

When all else fails, insulation

While some small additions will make a difference to your bill, if you’ve looking to make a more permanent option to dramatically reduce your energy consumption, you can’t bet insulation.

When installed correctly, insulation can reduce your home’s heating and cooling energy consumption by up to 40 percent. Even if your house is already insulated, it is important to update your insulation regularly to ensure that it is doing its job and keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Bunnings National Building Supplies Buyer Jason MacMartin says, “Installing or updating insulation doesn’t have to be a costly exercise and can be completed as a weekend D.I.Y. project.”