Save power by improving the energy efficiency of your appliances
Find out how to improve the energy efficiency of your fridge, freezer, oven, heat pump and hot water cylinder.
At Meridian, we’re absolutely committed to generating electricity from 100% renewable resources.
We’re always striving to do good things with our energy and that includes empowering you to do good things with yours. There are heaps of ways that you can use your power to make a difference. Check out all our tips, tricks, stories and articles about how you can join us on the mission to take care of our communities and our planet.
Generate your own good energy
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Solar for home
Already got solar system up to 10kW at your place? Lock in a great buy-back rate and earn credit for the energy you export.
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Support for community projects
We’re helping community groups across Aotearoa cut emissions and generate their own energy. From EVs to solar-powered marae, this fund makes clean energy more achievable.
Energy efficiency and saving power
When it comes to saving power, it goes well beyond simply flicking the switch off at the wall. There are heaps of ways that you can make a difference. Calculating the amount of power your appliances use, adjusting your windows, doors and lighting, and considering the seasons are all ways to be more energy efficient. You might make your bills feel a bit lighter too.
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Practical power saving tips to help you save
Here’s a few practical tips and tools to help you save power around the house.
Tips on shopping for new appliances that use less power to help you save
How you use appliances, and how you maintain their condition, are key factors in controlling your energy use.
Save money on hot water
There are heaps of ways to be a bit more considered about how you use hot water and make some sweet savings in the process.
Meridian App
Let us help you, help yourself. Check out how you can view your usage, your bills and manage your account information.
Timers and sensors
Low cost and relatively easy to install, timers and sensors control lighting and electricity when rooms and appliances aren’t being used.
Electric Vehicles in New Zealand
We believe that electric vehicles (EVs) have a key role to play in climate action by reducing the use of fossil fuels. They’re a tangible way that we can make a difference and that’s pretty exciting stuff. We get it though, there’s a lot to consider and making the switch can be a bit daunting. That’s where we come in. We’ve broken down all things EV – what they are, what they cost, and why we think they’re great, so you’ve got all the info you need to get started on your electric journey.
Learn about EVs
Owning an electric vehicle in New Zealand
An EV doesn’t just mean different technology, it brings with it different habits than those of a regular car.
Things to look out for with a used EV
In this guide we cover the main parts of a used EV to check – whether that’s at a used car dealer or in a private sale situation.
Electric Vehicles vs. Petrol or Diesel - Pros and Cons
Let’s talk about some common pros and cons that you might find with EV vs. ICE so you can make an informed decision on whether to ‘go electric’.
Zero, our EV charging network
It’s no secret that we’re excited about electric vehicles – so excited that we’re building one of the country’s largest EV charging networks!
Comparing different EV options
In this guide, we provide some handy tips that you can refer to when comparing electric vehicles on your shortlist.
Useful information about EV charging at your business
Getting charging infrastructure for your business has many benefits. Here’s some important things to keep in mind.
How to integrate home solar and an EV
In this guide, we’ll help you get started in your planning to have solar and EV in the home.
We’re levelling up the way we do transport
At Meridian, we’re committed to demonstrating our support of low emissions transport on the roads and in our waterways.
Are EVs worth it?
Many people are asking this question when shopping for a new vehicle. In this guide, we'll tackle whether you should switch to an EV and if it will be worth it.
Considering an EV? The top three considerations for EV charging
When it comes to EV ownership, energy is often the last thing considered. Find out the top considerations for EV charging.
Tackling rural NZ in an EV
Electric cars are all well and good, until you remember you’re not a townie and your nearest charging station is an hour’s drive away. Right? Well... not quite.
Charging EVs
Unlike petrol stations, chargers for your EV aren’t quite so common. Don't worry though, you’ve got options.
Advantages of driving an EV
There are heaps of benefits to driving an electric vehicle. We’ve narrowed it down to the top six reasons to go electric.
Electric vs hybrid cars
Wondering what the difference is between hybrid and fully electric cars? We’ve listed the pros and cons for both.
Plug vs pump – an electric car cost comparison
How much does it cost to buy an EV? And how much does it cost to charge?
The top 5 unspoken rules of public EV charging
Don’t be that person… the one who bothers other drivers at public EV charging stations. Lucky for you, we’ve got the top 5 tips do’s and don’ts of EV charging etiquette.
Is it worth buying a second-hand Nissan Leaf?
We chatted with Sophie about buying and owning a second-hand Nissan Leaf and how that’s working out for her family.
Farming for the environment
We aren’t experts at farming, but as we always say, we know our stuff when it comes to power. And just like at home, there are heaps of ways that you can make your farm more energy efficient. We’ve got a few tips and tricks lined up to help you make some small changes that’ll make a big difference to the environment, and your bottom line.
Read on
Sustainable farming tips
Running machinery might be a necessity, but there are ways to cut back your usage to save power and money.
Irrigation tips
Whatever your farm, precision irrigation could deliver benefits.
Partnerships and Communities
Being a part of the community and playing our part for the environment is a huge part of what we do at Meridian. That’s why we partner with organisations like the Department of Conservation (DOC), KidsCan and Ngāi Tahu.
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Scaling up sustainability - 14 New projects receive funding from the Community Decarbonisation Fund for 2023
Receiving 56 applications from community groups all over Aotearoa in 2023, Meridian is excited to announce funding for 14 community projects.
KidsCan Partnership
Education can help a child get out of poverty, but kids can’t learn when they’re cold, wet or hungry and that’s why we’ve been proud principal partners of KidsCan since 2013.
Kākāpō Recovery Programme
The kākāpō is an endangered national treasure but, along with the Department of Conservation and Ngāi Tahu, we’re helping bring this taonga species back from the brink of extinction.
Environment
It’s why we’re planting trees to offset our carbon emissions through our Forever Forests programme, and why we support the grassroots projects of our local asset communities. You can read all about it here – because want to show you that when it comes to taking care of Papatūānuku (mother earth), we say what we mean, and we do what we say.
Harapaki Wind Farm progress: driving towards sustainable energy
Our Harapaki Wind Farm has achieved a significant milestone, with half of the 41 turbines now installed and already generating renewable energy.
Halving our emissions by 2030
Meridian is on a mission to help Aotearoa decarbonise, and part of that includes reducing our own carbon emissions. By 2030, we plan to reduce our gross operational emissions by 50 percent.
Meridian's Forever Forests is about much more than trees
Meridian's Forever Forests programme has planted around 300,000 trees, with another 600,000 set to be planted over the next couple of years.
Maximising the potential of single-use materials at Harapaki
We’ve implemented initiatives to reduce the environmental footprint of the renewable energy project at Harapaki as part of Meridian’s commitment to sustainability.
Avifauna at Harapaki
A dedicated avifauna monitoring team is working to minimise the wind farm’s impact on local birdlife.
Forever Forests
We’re chucking on our gumboots and planting 1.5 million trees across New Zealand to offset our carbon emissions.
Good Energy Groundbreakers
Good Energy Groundbreakers are New Zealanders from all walks of life leading the way to a zero-carbon Aotearoa. Each of them has overcome the challenge of transitioning to cleaner energy, proving that as a country we have the ideas, the technology and the ambition to make this happen.
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Good vibes make good business
Raglan Food Co leads by example when it comes to looking after their community and the environment.
The electric lawncare revolution
The days of having your peaceful weekends ruined by the sound of lawn mowers and leaf blowers will soon be over.
Commercial cleaning goes green
Every day, hundreds of commercial water blasters are pressed into service around New Zealand. They keep our built environments clean but there’s a catch. They’re surprisingly bad for the environment.
How to electrify an orchard
How a small farm near Wānaka changed one couple’s lives - and kickstarted a global movement to grow food completely free of fossil fuels.
An electric tractor that can cook your dinner
Electrifying a tractor doesn’t just make it cleaner and cheaper to run. It also makes it exponentially more useful, according to Canterbury-based innovator Duncan Aitken.
An eco lodge worthy of its name
In the Central North Island, a unique lodge is proving it's possible to run an eco friendly tourism business in Aotearoa without burning through fossil fuels.