Energy saving tips
Energy use in a typical New Zealand household
There are lots of ways to cut down on the electricity you use each day – often for little or no cost. It’s not about doing without. It's about doing things smarter and remembering that small savings add up.
We've teamed up with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to put together a list of easy ways to save energy and money.
Energy saving tips for your home
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Water heating
Water heating is generally the biggest user of electricity in the home. Long hot showers, taking a bath, or doing hot laundry washes all chew through the hot water supplies.
No cost options
Hot water temperature
If you have an adjustable thermostat, lower the temperature of the hot water cylinder to 60˚C (55˚C at the tap). If your thermostat is not easily adjustable ask an electrician to alter the setting.Switch off
If you're going away for more than two weeks turn off the hot water.Leaks
Fix leaking hot water taps.Options requiring some investment
Insulation
Fit lagging to hot water pipes. If your hot water cylinder is warm to touch, install insulation wrap.Upgrade
Install an energy efficient hot water system such as solar hot water. Close -
Room Heating
The cost of keeping your home warm can be high. In colder parts of New Zealand home heating can use more energy than water heating.
No cost options
Condensation
Damp homes take more energy to heat. Reduce condensation by leaving some windows open if you're home on a warm day.
Sunlight
Capture as much natural light as possible – give those windows a clean!
Doors
Close the doors of rooms you're heating.
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Curtains
Close the curtains just before dark to keep the heat in.
Timers
Use a thermostat and timer on heaters.
Options requiring some investment
Draughts
Seal gaps in windows and doorframes. Use a door 'snake' to keep draughts out.
Curtains
Fit thermal lined curtains.
Make some space
Clear space around heaters. It increases efficiency and reduces fire risk.
Extractor fan
Install extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens to tackle dampness at the source.
Insulation
Insulate the ceiling – hot air rises, so you lose the majority of your heat through your ceiling. Think about under-floor and wall insulation also.
Heat pump
Install a heat pump – look for one with the ENERGY STAR® mark.
Ceiling fan
Use a ceiling fan to push trapped heat down from high ceilings.
Windows
Double glaze windows in the rooms you use the most. -
Kitchen
Fridges are usually the single biggest energy consuming appliance in the home. Old fridges in particular can be big power wasters. Get rid of your second fridge by taking it to the local refuse centre for recycling.
No cost options
Refrigeration
Temperature
Set the fridge temperature to between 2˚C and 4˚C, and the freezer to -18˚C.
Defrost
Defrost the fridge/freezer twice a year.
Close it
Try not to open the fridge door too often.
Overstocking
Don't overstock your fridge/freezer – let the air circulate.
Door seals
Check your fridge door seals and replace them if they look worn or there are gaps.
Dump it
Get rid of your disused old second fridge – take it to your local refuse centre.
Dishes
Rinsing
Rinse dirty dishes under the cold tap – heating hot water uses a lot of energy.
Dishwasher
Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it – and use the economy cycle.
Hot water
If your dishwasher is able to heat its own water, use this feature – it’s much more economical.
Cooking
Oven
Avoid opening the oven door too often.
Pots
Use lids – covered pots use less energy.
Kettle
Use cold water when you’re filling the kettle, and use only as much water as you need. Close -
Bathroom
No cost or low cost options
Towel rail
Just use your heated towel rail for a few hours each day (instead of 24 hours) and think about installing a timer.
Showers
Have showers instead of baths and keep showers short.
Windows
Shower with the windows open or turn the extractor fan on.
Hot Water
Install a water-saving showerhead if your shower fills a 10L bucket in less than 60 seconds. Close -
Laundry
The dryer is a big user of power. Using your clothes line instead of the dryer can save $200* a year and reduces home condensation.
No cost or low cost options
Washing
Load size
Run your washing machine with full loads or adjust your wash cycle to match the load.
Cold Water
Use cold water cycles for washing and save $50 – $75* a year (at four loads a week).
Efficient
When buying a washing machine, look for one with the ENERGY STAR® mark.
Drying
Washing line
Line-dry clothes as much as possible.
Spinning
Spin clothes well before putting them in the dryer.
Settings
Use the low heat setting on your dryer, it uses less electricity, and it's better for your clothes.
Timer
Set the timer on your dryer and be careful not to overfill it.
Ventilation
Make sure your dryer is vented outside (unless it is a condensing dryer).
Lint
Clean the lint filter after each use.
Sensor
When buying a dryer look for one that senses when your clothes are dry.
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Lighting
No cost or low cost options
Switch off
Turn off lights when you leave a room.
Spring clean
Keep lights and lampshades clean to get maximum light.
New bulbs
Replace old light bulbs with new energy efficient options. Just replacing the four bulbs you use most frequently can save you around $85* a year.
Options
requiring some investment
Sensors
Install motion and daylight sensors on your outside lights.
Lighten up
Paint walls light colours – dark walls make rooms harder to illuminate. Close -
Other appliances
No cost or low cost options
Switch off
Unplug mobile phone chargers, and turn off computers, monitors and printers when you're not using them.
Stand by
Switch off your appliances at the wall. Just switching them off with the remote control puts the appliance in stand-by mode, which can cost $125* per year. If the lights and clocks are on, your appliance is using power.
Hottie
Use a hot water bottle rather than an electric blanket.
Efficient
When buying new appliances look for the ENERGY STAR® mark –awarded to the top 25% most energy efficient appliances in each category. Close
* Savings figures are sourced from www.energywise.co.nz and are estimates that are indicative only.
