Heating
Fact Sheets
More information
Even though we have mild winters in Queensland, home heating still represents up to 10 percent of energy bills.
Bathroom heating uses lots of electricity to warm a room used for only short periods. Switch on only when you actually need the warmth and you’ll save loads of power.
* As with all electrical installations in wet areas, do not use or activate electrical items when you are wet or floors are wet, or there is a risk of appliances coming into contact with water.
Getting the most out of your bathroom heating
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Like all rooms in the house, insulation helps make the most of the energy used to heat a room, and helps keep the room cooler in summer.
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The popular heat-emitting bulbs in the ceiling don’t warm a whole bathroom effectively, so switch them on only when you need to be standing directly beneath them. Most of their heat goes upwards, not downwards.
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Wall-mounted radiant heaters and infrared heaters are effective but can draw large amounts of electricity. Switch on only when needed, rather than turning them on long beforehand to warm up the room, otherwise most of the energy will disappear through the extractor vents.
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Consider whether you really need installations such as underfloor heating and heated towel rails, which consume energy for extended periods. Underfloor heating is more effective taking the chill off the tiles rather than as a room heater and should be set up to use off-peak power. A timer and thermostat should be used to minimise power consumption.
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Many in-slab heating systems boast that they provide low-cost heating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but do you really need to waste electricity heating rooms all the time, whether or not anyone is in them?
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Similarly, if you do use towel rail heaters, don’t leave them on after they’ve done their job.
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Seal gaps under doors and around windows with rubber or foam strips to minimise heat loss.
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Conversely, in summer, to keep the room cooler, use the extractor fan briefly to vent warm air and steam.
