This winter, that dreaded power bill could feel heavier than ever.
Global energy pressures, fuel price swings, and rising living costs are already making households more cautious.
The ABS reported that annual CPI rose 4.6% in the 12 months to March 2026, the highest rate since September 2023.
Then winter hits, and we’re spending more time indoors.
The Ugg boots come out. The extra jumper stays on. Someone grabs the blanket from the couch and still says, “Why is this house so cold?”
In many homes, the problem isn’t the heater itself. It’s how fast the heat escapes.
Warm air leaks out through the roof, walls, gaps, and often the floor. So the heater runs longer, the temperature drops faster, and the cost builds without much comfort to show for it.
In this guide, you’ll learn where homes lose heat, how insulation helps, and what can make the biggest difference before winter.
Let’s get started.
Why Heating Feels More Expensive This Winter
When costs rise everywhere, small leaks at home matter more.
Energy.gov.au recommends setting the heating between 18°C and 20°C in winter. Every degree higher can add 5-10% to energy costs.
That matters when your home loses heat quickly.
You turn the heater up. The room warms for a bit. Then the heat disappears again.
That cycle usually points to poor house insulation, air gaps, or older insulation that no longer performs as it should.
Where Homes Lose Heat (What Most People Miss)
Most people start by checking the roof, which makes sense.
Warm air rises, so roof and ceiling insulation play a big role. But heat loss does not stop there.
It can happen through:
- Roof and ceiling spaces
- Wall cavities
- Gaps around doors, windows, and vents
- Raised timber floors
- Underfloor areas with open airflow
That last one gets missed often.
Cold air moving under your home can pull warmth through the floor. This is why some homes feel cold from the ground up, even with the heater running.
Homes without underfloor insulation often feel this first in bedrooms, living rooms, and older timber-floor areas.
Why Insulation Makes a Bigger Difference Than Turning the Heater Up
Turning the heater up treats the symptom.
Insulation deals with the cause.
Energy.gov.au says installing the right insulation in roofs, walls, and floors can save more than 45% on heating and cooling costs.
For example, if your winter electricity bill is $400, you could save up to $180. Suddenly, the difference feels much more tangible.
That does not mean every home gets the same result. Access, materials, climate, and installation quality all matter.
But the principle is simple.
If your home holds heat better, your heater does less work.
Draught proofing also plays a part. Air leaks alone can account for up to 25 per cent of heat loss in winter.
That’s why insulation and air sealing work best together.
Why Spray Foam Insulation Works in Real Homes
Older homes often have tricky spaces.
You might find uneven framing, tight roof areas, old batts, gaps around pipes, or underfloor spaces that are hard to reach.
Traditional insulation can work well, but it needs a clean fit. Gaps and movement reduce performance.
Spray foam insulation works differently.
Installers apply it as a liquid. It expands into gaps, sets in place, and helps reduce both heat transfer and air movement.
That makes it useful in:
- Roof spaces with awkward framing
- Underfloor areas with open airflow
- Wall cavities during renovations
- Gaps around services and penetrations
It is not the right answer for every home. But where access is difficult, or air leaks are part of the issue, spray foam can solve problems that batts often miss.
Read more: A Complete Guide to Spray Foam Insulation
source: yourhome.gov.au
Check the Areas That Cost You Most First
You do not need to upgrade the whole house in one go.
Start with the areas causing the biggest comfort problem.
If your floors feel cold, check the subfloor.
If upstairs rooms overheat and cool quickly, check the roof space.
If one room never holds temperature, look for gaps, missing insulation, or old materials.
The best starting point depends on your home.
For older homes with suspended timber floors, the subfloor often gives clear signs. Cold boards, draughts, and rooms that drop in temperature overnight usually point to the underside.
Source: yourhome.gov.au
Winter Tips That Go Beyond “Put On a Jumper”
Small changes won’t replace insulation, but they can help reduce energy use.
Try these, including a few you might not have considered:
- Set your thermostat between 18°C and 20°C
- Close doors to rooms you’re not using
- Open curtains during the day and close them at night.
- Seal gaps around doors, floors, and skirting boards
- Turn heaters off when they’re not needed
- Insulate hot water pipes with foam sleeves.
- Use door snakes at external and internal doors.
- Install removable window insulation film on older windows.
- Cover unused fireplaces or chimneys to stop draughts.
- Use rugs over bare floors, especially at night.
Each degree above 20°C can increase energy use by 5 to 10 per cent, so small adjustments make a difference over time.
These steps work best when your home already holds heat well.
If cold floors are part of the problem, our guide on underfloor insulation and home energy efficiency explains how the subfloor affects comfort.
When Old Insulation Stops Doing Its Job
Insulation doesn’t always fail overnight. It gradually loses performance.
Common issues include:
- Sagging or gaps
- Moisture damage
- Dust build-up
- Pest activity
- Poor original installation
Many older homes have insulation that no longer performs the way it should.
If it hasn’t been checked in years, it’s worth reviewing before winter gets colder.
A Warmer Home Starts With Less Heat Loss
If your home still feels cold even when the heater is running, the issue is usually how quickly heat is escaping.
Fixing where that heat is going often makes a bigger difference than increasing your heating.
For many Western Australian homes, especially older ones, that means better comfort, fewer draughts, and less reliance on heating.
If you want to understand where your home is losing heat and what options make sense, start by looking at the areas that matter most.
Ready to decide? Here’s what to do next
We hope this gave you a clearer picture of why your home may feel cold, even when the heater is running.
Spray foam isn’t the right fit for every home, but when used in the right areas, it can solve problems that other insulation types can’t. Knowing where it works best helps you make a more informed decision.
At Tates Coating Services, we’ve been installing spray foam insulation and polyurethane coatings across Western Australia since the 1980s. Our work covers homes, farms, commercial buildings, and industrial sites.
Whether you’re building, renovating, or improving an existing home, we can walk you through your options and help you understand what will actually make a difference.
If you want a clear answer or a quote, get in touch. No pressure. Just practical advice to help you move forward. Click here to get a free quote.
