With temperatures plummeting around the country, every cent counts for many Kiwi families who face skyrocketing power pills.
So, how can we keep our homes running as efficiently as possible?
Consumer NZ chief executive Sue Chetwin told the AM Show on Wednesday that a third of a power bill goes on space heating and the two biggest power-wasters are heating and water.
For the average household, "mum, dad and two kids," with a monthly median bill of around $150-200, her handy hints on cost-cutting could come in handy.
- Perform domestic tasks off-peak
Do your washing and other tasks at less-popular times, especially late at night. You can save a lot of money by switching around routines.
- Energy saving light bulbs
Light bulbs are another easy item to adjust, especially during winter where we spend more time indoors. Get rid of halogen and incandescent light bulbs, and switch to LED. While the initial outlay is more expensive, over time they are far more efficient. Up to eight percent of a power bill can be cut if bulbs are swapped.
- Heating
New Zealand homes aren't known for being well-insulated. Heat pumps are the most efficient form of heating to keep a house insulated and ventilated. Costing between 30 and 40 cents an hour, a common household warmer - the bar heater, costs more than double that.
- Showering
Hot showers in winter are a great way to warm up, but drain your money. Electric water tanks are expensive, and showering is a surprisingly costly thing to do, so get a water efficient shower head, preferably natural gas, which is much cheaper long term.
- Household chores
It might come as a surprise, but it's more expensive to hand wash and rinse dishes with hot water than to put them through a dishwasher- so long as it's full.
- Do your research
Websites like 'Spot' recommend different companies and helpful hints to save. Price compare power companies to make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck.
Newshub.
