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Keeping power costs down
- A hot water cylinder wrap can save you up to $140 a year on your power bill.
A big power bill is unpleasant at any time of the year, but it can be especially tough in winter.
Here are some easy ways to cut down on power, helping you save cash and the environment.
Remember to take a sensible approach to power saving, and don't let yourself get so cold in winter that your health is affected.
- Turn off
- lights if you leave a room for more than one minute
- all appliances at the wall instead of leaving them on standby
- mobile phone chargers when you've finished using them.
Things like lights and appliances left on unnecessarily waste about $100 of power a year - Use energy-saving settings on washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers and fridges when available.
- Open curtains in the morning and close them just before dark to keep in the warmth. Use thermal drapes.
- Wash your clothes with cold water and only do a full wash. This could save you more than $100 a year (based on 20 washes a month).
- Replace the light bulbs you use with the most energy-efficient ones. This can save around $65 a year.
- Have a quick shower. If a family of four reduced their showers by two minutes each a day, they'd save $84 a year. Where possible, use low-flow shower heads.
- Dry your washing outside or set up a covered area outside for clothes drying. Drying clothes inside releases moisture into the air and makes it harder to heat.
- Look to the stars when buying new appliances. The more stars an energy rating label has, the less energy it will use.
- Use thermostats and timers so your heaters only come on when you need them and turn off when the right temperature is reached.
- Use a microwave for cooking as much as possible, because they use less power than conventional ovens.
- Insulate under floors, ceilings and around hot water cylinders.
Talk to us. Housing New Zealand can help by replacing washers on leaky hot water taps, turning down the water temperature at the tap if you feel it's too hot or installing a low-flow shower head. Call us anytime on 0800 801 601.
- Louise Maple (Curtain Bank Coordinator for Energy Options) keeps heat in by closing curtains.
Curtain banks
Thanks to the setting up of curtain banks in many areas, curtains are now available to tenants who don't have them and would like to benefit from new thermal-backed ones, which help keep the warmth in.
Curtains of different sizes are available, and there are also many shades and patterns to choose from. If you are unable to hang curtains yourself, you may be able to access help from outside agencies. There is no charge to you for this service, but you will be asked to sign a form accepting responsibility in case of loss or damage.
Contact your local neighbourhood unit for more information on your nearest curtain bank.
