The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

If you're renting, chances are your home is cold. With power prices soaring, here's what you can do to keep warm

  • Written by Cynthia Faye Isley, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian Centre for Housing Research, University of Adelaide
If you're renting, chances are your home is cold. With power prices soaring, here's what you can do to keep warm

If you’re feeling the cold this winter, you’re not alone. About a quarter of all Australians have trouble keeping their homes warm enough in winter. That figure is likely to soar this year, due to poor quality housing and the rapidly escalating energy crisis.

Renters are particularly at risk, but our research has shown many home owners are in the same boat as well. We’ve collected data over the last few years on how many Australians have cold homes, find it difficult to stay warm[1], and can’t afford their heating bills.

What counts as cold? The World Health Organization recommends a minimum home temperature[2] of 18℃ for health and wellbeing. About a fifth of Australian renters, for example, have cold homes[3]. Our current research[4] has shown this applies to home owners as well, with 26% of people across all housing types unable to stay warm at least half of the time during winter.

Australia’s energy crisis is likely to see soaring rates of energy poverty, meaning being unable to keep your home warm or cool enough. Here’s why this is such a problem – and what you can do about it.

Cold homes affect our health

If you’re cold at home, you have a higher risk of developing respiratory problems[5] and high blood pressure[6]. People in the coldest homes face a higher risk of dying in winter[7]. Cold can have a flow-on impact on our health system, which is already struggling.

Read more: Energy poverty in the climate crisis: what Australia and the European Union can learn from each other[8]

Australia’s south-east has had the coldest start to winter in decades[9]. Melbourne hasn’t been this cold this early since 1949, while Sydney hasn’t seen these temperatures in early June since 1989.

old couple cold high bills
Low income households who are renting are particularly vulnerable to energy price spikes. Shutterstock

Double trouble: cold weather and the energy crisis

If you’ve been hit by the recent cold snap, chances are you’ll have been reminded how cold your home can get. This is not a surprise given how badly existing homes[10] and new housing[11] perform in keeping an even temperature.

The cold has made many people doubly worried, because the energy required to heat our leaky, poorly insulated homes is about to get very expensive[12].

Early results from our survey[13] of over 350 Australians found 25% of people were experiencing shortages of money to the point they will be unable to adequately heat their homes. One third of our respondents said energy was unaffordable. Some reported making trade-offs, such as skimping on food or healthcare to pay energy bills.

These people are experiencing energy poverty, where a household is unable to properly heat or cool their home or face significant financial difficulty doing so.

While data about energy poverty in Australia is patchy, we know around 180,000 households in Victoria[14] had persistent bill payment issues as of 2018, and 45,000 households were consistently unable to heat their homes.

Energy price increases hit lower income households hardest

Lower income households are more at risk from the cold. That’s because they’re more likely to live in homes that are in poor condition[15] and hard to heat. One quarter of low income households told us they struggle to stay warm. Insulation may be a key factor, with 25% of our respondents reporting their rental properties did not have insulation.

Insulation matters, because heat escapes homes through single-pane windows[16], or poorly insulated walls and ceilings. As a result, poorly insulated homes cost more to heat[17].

This makes life harder for low income renters, given they have little control over insulation or other home modifications. Worse still, heaters that are cheap to buy are often the most expensive to run[18].

While an efficient reverse cycle air conditioner would save money and heat the space better over the longer term, it is often difficult for renters to negotiate installation with property managers or landlords – especially given the intense competition for rentals at present in many cities. That can mean renters will suffer in silence, unwilling to ask for something that will make their lives better.

Reverse cycle air con Efficient reverse cycle air conditioners can be the cheapest form of heating. But renters face challenges in getting landlords to install them. Shutterstock

What can renters do?

Low income renters face real threats from energy poverty this year. While we need systemic change to improve the outlook for Australia’s renters, there are low-cost DIY ways to improve how your house retains heat[19] this winter.

The first step: check your current heating appliances are working efficiently. Many people don’t clean the filters on their reverse cycle air conditioners. This makes them less efficient, and can drive up energy bills.

Poorly sealed windows and doors make it hard to stay warm.

Using thermal curtains[20], and keeping them closed makes a big difference. Putting a piece of plywood or even a scarf between the curtain rail and the wall to make a DIY pelmet[21] also helps keep the heat in. If you have single glazed windows, consider window films[22] as a way to improve performance for a fraction of the cost of double glazed windows.

Sealing the cracks[23] around windows, under doors and around the wider home is also important. Silicon or expanding foam can be used for gaps and cracks. Draughts under doors can be stopped with door seals or door snakes.

Thick curtains Thick curtains, DIY pelmets and door snakes are cheap ways to make your home keep its heat. Shutterstock

Read more: 10 ways to keep your house warm (and save money) this winter[24]

Close the doors to your bathroom, laundry and other rooms not in use to keep the heat where you need it most. Hanging a blanket over a doorway can also be a cheap way to seal off a room and concentrate heat.

It’s also worth checking what rebates and concessions your state government or council is offering. These might include energy efficiency improvements or extra help with heating costs. If you’re renting, your home must meet minimum standards[25], so make sure you check what you are entitled to as these vary by state.

Everyone deserves a warm home. Our health and well-being depend on it. Building new, energy efficient homes is only part of the answer. We also have to make our 10.8 million existing dwellings[26] warmer.

References

  1. ^ difficult to stay warm (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ minimum home temperature (www.who.int)
  3. ^ have cold homes (doi.org)
  4. ^ current research (able.adelaide.edu.au)
  5. ^ respiratory problems (link.springer.com)
  6. ^ high blood pressure (journals.lww.com)
  7. ^ dying in winter (www.sciencedirect.com)
  8. ^ Energy poverty in the climate crisis: what Australia and the European Union can learn from each other (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ in decades (thenewdaily.com.au)
  10. ^ existing homes (www.sustainability.vic.gov.au)
  11. ^ new housing (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ very expensive (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ our survey (able.adelaide.edu.au)
  14. ^ in Victoria (vcoss.org.au)
  15. ^ poor condition (www.tandfonline.com)
  16. ^ single-pane windows (www.yourhome.gov.au)
  17. ^ cost more to heat (environmentvictoria.org.au)
  18. ^ expensive to run (www.climatecouncil.org.au)
  19. ^ your house retains heat (www.yourhome.gov.au)
  20. ^ thermal curtains (home.howstuffworks.com)
  21. ^ DIY pelmet (environmentvictoria.org.au)
  22. ^ window films (renew.org.au)
  23. ^ Sealing the cracks (blog.csiro.au)
  24. ^ 10 ways to keep your house warm (and save money) this winter (theconversation.com)
  25. ^ minimum standards (www.energy.vic.gov.au)
  26. ^ existing dwellings (www.abs.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/if-youre-renting-chances-are-your-home-is-cold-with-power-prices-soaring-heres-what-you-can-do-to-keep-warm-184472

The Times Features

Why Regional Small Businesses in Bendigo Deserve Better Access to Finance in 2025

In the heart of regional Victoria, Bendigo has long stood as a beacon of innovation, resilience and community spirit. As we step further into 2025, the importance of nurturing sm...

Is It Time for a Deep Cleaning? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Most people know they should visit the dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning every six months. But sometimes, a standard cleaning isn’t enough. When plaque and tartar build...

The Hidden Meaning Behind Popular Engagement Ring Cuts

When it comes to engagement rings, the cut of the diamond is not just about aesthetics. Each shape carries its own symbolism and significance, making it an important decision for...

Annual Health Exams in the Office: How They Can Reduce Sick Days and Healthcare Costs

Regular health check-ups, especially annual health exams in the office, can significantly impact the overall well-being of your workforce. A proactive approach to employee health...

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping