Save energy,
save money
There are lots of ways to tackle energy use, especially in the colder months. And there are plenty of changes you can make that won’t cost a cent.
There are lots of ways to tackle energy use, especially in the colder months. And there are plenty of changes you can make that won’t cost a cent.
Keep your home warm and dry this winter with our winter warming tips. Our warming tips cover four key categories:
To learn more click the link below:
Our energy saving tips below fall into three categories. Managing your heating, keeping track of what’s using power, and making sure your house is dry.
The Government’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) works to improve the energy efficiency of New Zealand’s homes and businesses.
For more information visit their website:
Staying warm can get expensive. Heating your house the right way at the right times, and keeping the warmth in as much as possible, will help lower your power bill.
Follow these tips to make sure your appliances are working at their best and aren’t using power when they’re not needed.
A dry house is more comfortable, healthier, and much easier to heat, meaning you’ll use less power.
Stop draughts to keep rooms warm. Check door hinges are tight. A rolled-up towel makes a good draught stopper.
Switch off chargers when you’re not using them, or they’ll keep using electricity.
Open the curtains in the morning to let the sun in, and close them at dusk to keep in the day’s warmth.
Wipe down windows with a towel in the morning to remove condensation that builds up while you sleep.
Set your heater thermostats to 18-20°C, and keep the door shut in the room you want to heat. Avoid using unflued gas heaters which emit toxic fumes and moisture.
Use your extractor fan or open windows during and after cooking.
When you boil the jug, only boil as much water as you need.
Check your fridge door seals. Shut a piece of paper in the door and pull. If the paper falls out easily the seals may need replacing. If you have a second fridge without much in it, consider turning it off or getting rid of it.
Always wash full loads, and use cold washes for your laundry unless you have a really dirty load. A hot wash can cost 10 times more in electricity than a cold wash.
Dry clothes outside, or in a dryer that vents outside, to avoid dampness from your clothes ending up in your home.
Ensure your hot water cylinder is insulated and working properly. See energywise.govt.nz/at-home/water for tips.
Only use your heated towel rail when needed. You can buy automatic timers to help with this.
Use your extractor fan or open windows during and after showering.
Showers use less water and energy than baths. Use an efficient showerhead with a flow of 9L per minute or less. Reduce shower time — a 15 minute shower costs around $1!
Turn lights off when you’re not using them, and replace old incandescent bulbs with LEDs if you can.
Turn heaters and heatpumps off when you don’t need them or you’re not home. Make sure your heatpump filters are clean.
Appliances like TVs, game consoles and computers use power on standby. Turn them off at the wall — plugging them into multiboards can make this easier.