Winter is coming, and yes, it’s that sinking feeling again when your energy bill comes through. But with a few intelligent tweaks to your daily habits and some home improvements, you can stay warm without spending too much money.

We have come up with some tips to help you reduce your power consumption and save more money this winter. These tips range from basic adjustments to your appliance use to smart updates around the house, and we’ll show you how to be energy-efficient and comfortable throughout the season.

Trimming the big costs

Did you know that combined, hot water and heating can represent up to a third of your electricity usage? Making small adjustments in these areas can lead to significant savings. The easiest way to save on hot water is to use less.

• Switch to a cold-water wash cycle for laundry. This simple change can save around $50 annually for a household averaging four washes per week.
• Shorten shower times. A 15-minute shower costs about $1, while a 5-minute shower costs only around 33c. If you have a hot bath, it can cost you up to $1.54 a time.
• Check your shower’s flow rate. If it fills a 10-litre bucket in less than a minute, it’s likely wasting water. Upgrading to a more efficient showerhead with a flow rate of 9 litres per minute or less could yield substantial hot water savings.
• If you own a dishwasher, wait until it’s fully loaded to run it—and put it on the ‘eco’ wash setting if available. Avoid the half-load dishwasher setting—it can cost as much as a full load. Fun fact: Using a dishwasher is much more economical than washing your dishes by hand.
• Repair dripping hot taps promptly to prevent unnecessary energy loss. A simple washer replacement can save hundreds of dollars annually.

Save on heating your home and office.

Explore options like heat pumps for larger rooms and electric resistance heaters for smaller spaces when replacing heaters. These choices can enhance energy efficiency and ensure even heating throughout your property.

• A heat pump can cost 30c an hour at minimum output, to 43c an hour at maximum. This is compared with 29c for a one-bar electric heater or a small oil-filled heater or 58c for a two-bar electric one or a large oil-filled heater.
• If you already have a heat pump, get it cleaned twice a year, to ensure it’s working efficiently.
• Avoid heating unused rooms unnecessarily. Running heaters 24/7 can result in higher energy consumption. Instead, heat only the rooms you need, and consider setting the thermostat between 18 to 21˚C for optimal comfort.
• Prioritise insulation upgrades to minimise heat loss and improve energy efficiency, ultimately reducing heating costs.
• Keep your curtains closed when it’s dark.

Efficient lighting

Lighting plays a significant role in overall energy consumption:

• Invest in LED lightbulbs, which consume significantly less energy and have longer lifespans compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. By switching to LEDs, you can save between $100 and $300 per bulb over its lifetime.
• It’s obvious – but switch off your lights when you’re not in the room. You may think they’re not using much power, but lighting typically costs 8% of your power bill.

‘Always-on’ appliances

Where you can, don’t forget to switch off appliances on the wall when not in use to reduce energy consumption.

Consumer NZ says, “Any energy used when an appliance is on standby is wasted energy:” So watch out for appliances in ‘sleep mode’ – they’re still using power.

• A constantly ‘on’ microwave can cost up to $11 annually.
• Some printers that are on 24/7 might cost you $10 each month.

Choose ‘good’ appliances!

The Energy Rating Label makes it easy to compare the energy efficiency and running costs of similar appliances when you’re deciding which to buy.

An appliance with more stars on the label is more energy efficient – meaning you can save money on running costs. Appliances with star ratings include fridges, heat pumps, televisions, computers, dishwashers, and clothes dryers.

So, for example, the less water a washing machine or dishwasher uses, the more stars it has.

Other tips:

• Think outside the box – don’t use your power-hungry oven to cook meat – consider using your sandwich press to cook steak fillets or chicken breasts. Or save using the hob and cook pancakes in the press.
• Use other appliances such as convection ovens, slow cookers, or air fryers – they will save you money in the long run.
• Check the seals on your fridge, freezer, or oven – if heat or cold escapes, it costs you more to operate the appliance.
• Get your switchboard maintained at least every two years, or even get it replaced if it’s over 25-years-old. Older switchboards are often less efficient, which means they can waste electricity and drive up your power bills. A newer, more energy-efficient switchboard can help you lower your monthly expenses.

Preparing for Smart Home Solutions:

Consider smart home solutions for efficient energy management. Smart appliances reduce unnecessary power consumption, and Household Energy Management Systems (HEMS) and smart plugs optimise energy usage. Stay informed about advancements in smart home technology to maximise energy savings and minimize environmental impact.

If you want to find out how we can help you with any of the above, including the installation of new appliances (including heat pumps), and switchboard maintenance and installation, contact us here.