Top ten tips for reducing your power bill

During winter when those bills are getting high is a good time to look at power use in your home – small changes can make a big difference to your power bill!

1. Ensure you’re on the right electricity plan. Use tools such as powerswitch.org.nz to check you’re getting the best deal.
2. Switching off your old second fridge could save up to $300 annually.
3. Use the free energy from the sun to dry clothes on an outside line, instead of in an electric dryer. You could save about $200 annually.
4. Run your heat pump on the most effective settings and clean the filter regularly to ensure it runs properly.
5. Change to LED light bulbs. This can save $100-$300 in running costs over the life of the bulb.
6. Check your shower usage. If the water from your shower can fill a bucket in less than a minute, you could save about $150 annually by changing to a more efficient showerhead. Keep your showers short – in a household of three, each extra minute of shower time costs about $80 annually.
7. Turning off appliances left on standby saves about $125 per year.
8. Wash your clothes in cold water. A hot wash can use 10 times more electricity than a cold wash. A warm wash every five loads, or a hot wash every 10 loads, will remove any dirt and detergent build-up.
9. Stop draughts and heat escaping with DIY double glazing and good, thick curtains.
10. Buy energy-efficient appliances. Visit genless.govt.nz for info on how to choose and use home appliances wisely. 

For more tips on better and healthier home heating and power conservation go to: nelson.govt.nz/ burn-bright/home-heating-tips