How to Use Less Power - The Definitive New Zealand Guide

Our tips for using less power include understanding your energy plan, implementing energy-saving habits, considering key building and DIY improvements and installing Smart devices to maximise savings.

Updated 10 July 2024

Summary

Power bills are a constant and unavoidable expense. There are many energy providers in New Zealand, and we've conducted a comprehensive comparison, but regardless of what company you're with, there are many ways you can save on energy, and we outline them in this guide.
Some will involve the visit of a professional builder or plumber, but many are small fixes you can carry out yourself and changes to your consumption habits.
If you have a smart meter and are on a plan that charges you differently during peak and off-peak times, you can save further by running some of your appliances at night.
Know this first: By moving more power off-peak, you're not only reducing the load on New Zealand's national power grid and infrastructure, but you're also more likely to be using electricity from cleaner generation sources as there tends to be less fossil fuel generated electricity in the system overnight.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his views around saving energy:

"While New Zealand has plenty of renewable power sources, nothing is guaranteed, and droughts can happen without warning - the Auckland floods may be followed in the years to come with no rain at all. Saving power involves adopting simple habits in everyday routines. This helps you lower energy bills and contribute to a more sustainable power supply".

"Saving power is surprisingly easy, and most wins don't involve any upfront cost or discomfort. Best of all, you don't need to minimise shower time or heating to save big - our guide has been published to give you all the options. Small changes in behaviours add up to lower power bills month after month".

Our must-know tips and suggestions are outlined in five categories below:

Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

Understand your energy plan

A good starting point when aiming to save money on energy is to familiarise yourself with the details of the plan you're on and ensure that you are making the most of it.

Are you a standard user or a low user?
First of all, look at your annual energy consumption: Being on a "Low User" plan should yield better rates if your annual consumption falls within this bracket. For example, you are considered a low user if you are in a city north of Christchurch, and your consumption is below 8,000 kWh per annum; if you are south of Christchurch, the threshold is 9,000 kWh. Conversely, if your consumption exceeds those figures, you should be on a "Standard User" plan.
Does your plan have different prices depending on when you use energy?
If your plan offers lower prices during night or off-peak times, you will benefit from using as much energy as possible during these windows. Energy companies call these times by different names, so check if your plan mentions a lower rate for times like "night only", "night", "off-peak", "shoulder off-peak", and weekends. Each company defines these terms differently, so check what hours are covered and schedule your appliances to run or charge at these times. Later in this guide, we will cover how to set up timers and the benefits of scheduling large appliances.
If your plan has a constant rate throughout the day, you can still save money by using less energy, as described later in this guide.
Does your plan offer a time of "free power"?
If your plan offers a free "hour of power", make sure you choose a time that suits you and maximise energy usage during this period.

Implement energy-saving habits

General tips
We've put together some useful tips and general habits that can help you save energy and money:

Ventilation tips:

On fine days, open windows on opposite sides of your house, even in winter, for at least 20 minutes a day. Wipe away any condensation from the windows to keep the air dry.
Don't dry your washing inside the house; this can release up to 5L of moisture per load. If you have to dry them inside, do it in the bathroom or laundry room with the door closed and a window open.
Avoid unflued gas heaters (LINK); they can release up to 1L of moisture into the air per hour.
Use lids on pots and pans when cooking, and turn on the extractor fan to remove as much moisture as possible.
When showering or bathing, turn on the extractor fan and open a window.
Shut doors to laundry, kitchen and bathroom to avoid dampness and condensation
To prevent mould growth, leave wardrobes and closet doors slightly open.

Kitchen tips:

When cooking, choose a pot or pan that's the appropriate size for what you're doing. For example, don't use a large pot of water to boil a couple of eggs.
Don't rely only on the stove and the oven – You can use other appliances that use less energy and get the job done quickly; you can boil water on the kettle much faster than on the stove; part-cook or steam vegetables in the microwave and just incorporate them into a dish; reheat pizza from the day before in the air fryer instead of the oven; use a slow cooker instead of the oven when possible.
Do full loads – Whether you're using the oven or the dishwasher, maximise the use. For example, if you're cooking a chicken on the top tray of the oven, don't let the bottom tray go unused: put in some vegetables to go on the side or cook some lasagna for the next day. The same goes for your dishwasher/washing machine/dryer: don't do half loads (unless your machine has a setting for that); always do a full load; otherwise, you're wasting energy. Please be careful not to overload them either, dryers need space for clothes to tumble and dry correctly, and washing machines can only hold a certain capacity.

Water usage:

Check that your water pressure isn't too high: A shower should use less than 10 litres of water per minute. The CEA recommends this simple test: hold a 2-litre container to your shower head; if it fills up in less than 15 seconds, you should consider switching to a low-flow shower head.
Take showers instead of baths, and keep showers to around 5 minutes.
Use cold water for rinsing dishes and washing clothes, and use eco settings on your dishwasher and washing machines as much as possible.
If you go away for more than three days, turn off your hot water cylinder.

Choosing appliances
When replacing appliances, take into consideration their star rating. Better-rated appliances may be more expensive but can be cheaper to run in the long term. Visit Genless's Efficient Appliance calculator to compare products based on their energy rating.

Other:

Trim any trees or shrubs that might block the windows on the sunny side of your home
Use your curtains: In winter, open them in the morning to let the heat in and close them before sundown; in summer, draw them to keep the heat out.
Leave a gap between furniture and walls to avoid mould growth.
Use timers on towel rails and heaters, so they are not in use when you don't need them.
If your energy company has an app, use it to track your usage and identify opportunities.

Tips per appliance
We've put together several tips on how to save energy by slightly changing your habits, starting with the most power-hungry appliances:

Swimming Pool and Spa pumps – Off-peak saving tip: Running your pool or spa pump overnight will keep your pool just as clean, and you will be charged a much lower price than running it at peak times.
Hot water cylinder – This is one of the most power-hungry appliances in a home. Insulate the water cylinder and the first 1.5 meters of hot water pipes to prevent heat loss and conserve energy. It is recommended the temperature of your hot water cylinder is set at 60°C (to avoid the risk of Legionella developing) and that the temperature from the tap does not exceed 55°C; you can run the tap and use a regular thermometer to check. If the temperature is higher, ask a professional to adjust your thermostat (if the temperature can't be selected from your water heater directly). Off-peak saving tip: Try showering at night or very early in the morning; the water cylinder will replenish the hot water you've used, and this will be less expensive if it happens during off-peak hours.
Electric Vehicles - Off-peak saving tip: Charge your car at night when energy is cheapest and more likely derived from renewable sources.
Heat pumps and heaters – Heat pumps are probably the most efficient appliances to warm your home; you don't need to overheat the place, so set your thermostat to a temperature between 18 and 21 degrees. Take out and clean the internal filters for your heat pump once a month when it's in use; you can do this using your vacuum cleaner. Heaters are suitable to warm up smaller rooms; set the thermostat to an appropriate temperature and use the timer if you have one so the heater doesn't run when it's not needed. Off-peak saving tip: heat your house during off-peak hours (before morning peak hours kick in). If your heater doesn't have a thermostat or a timer, you can get a device like a heatermate to control them.
Washing machine – Try using cold instead of warm water whenever possible; this will save energy and is also easier on your clothes. Off-peak saving tip: Schedule the machine to run late at night or very early in the morning so that the cycle is completed during the off-peak hours, and you can simply offload the machine in the morning.
Dryer – Make sure you don't overload the machine (clothes should have enough room to move around, so they dry properly) and clean the lint filter before every use; this will improve the dryer's performance and leave your clothes free of fluff. Off-peak saving tip: As for the washing machine, try to schedule this to run late at night or early in the morning when the energy is cheaper.
Dishwasher – Check if your machine has an option for "Eco mode", as this will likely clean your dishes well enough, try the various modes to see if it gets the job done. Only run the machine when you have a full load. If you constantly put the machine on because you're out of clean dishes and cutlery, you might be better off investing in extra dishes and cutlery so you can always do full loads. Off-peak saving tip: Schedule the machine to run at night when the energy is cheap and offload it in the morning when you wake up.
Oven – Ovens and stovetops consume more energy than microwaves, slow cookers and air fryers, so try to use these other appliances instead or in part to speed up the preparation of your meals. For example, if you're cooking a curry, you can quickly steam the vegetables in the microwave instead of boiling or steaming them on the stove. Air fryers are very efficient and suitable for preparing smaller food portions; they are also great for reheating meals. If you use the oven, be mindful of pre-heating temperatures and times, and don't keep the oven hot and empty for long, as it's just a waste of energy. Try to make the most of the space in the oven and cook as much as possible at once; for example, if you're cooking a chicken for tonight, use the other tray for cooking a quiche for tomorrow at the same time.
Fridge /Freezer – It is very important to check that the doors to these appliances seal perfectly. You can check the strength of the seal very simply: close the fridge door on a note; if it holds firm, then your seal is fine; if it slips, you should replace it. Also, you should defrost your freezer at least once a year; this will keep it working correctly and let you maximise the space for storing food.
Towel rails – Attach a timer to your Towel rail so it's only on when you need it.
Desktop computers / TVs / Gaming consoles – Switch them off at the wall if you won't use them for a while; if you leave them on "sleep mode" or "standby", they still use power.
Phones / Tablets / Laptops – Off-peak savings: Charge these devices at night when the power is cheaper; consider a smart plug like these to schedule when they charge.
Lights – Consider changing your regular lightbulbs to LED lights wherever possible. These are more expensive but last longer and use less energy, so they're a good investment. Powershop has a very detailed and helpful guide on lights.
Helpful resources: Trustpower has a comprehensive list of household appliances and their estimated annual cost for an average user.

Consider building improvements

Insulation: Having a well-insulated house will help you reduce energy costs and lower your carbon emissions. You should start with the ceiling, as this will make the most noticeable impact on reducing your bills by keeping the heat out in summer and preventing it from escaping in winter. Underfloor insulation can be done next, followed by wall insulation, if deemed necessary by a professional.
The government's website Genless explains the benefits of insulation and how to insulate your house.
Double glazing: Double-glazed windows insulate against heat and cold and can further help you reduce your energy consumption. These windows are a long-term investment but expensive; a cheaper alternative is installing window insulation kits and thermal curtains. We'll cover these in the DIY section of this guide.
Ventilation: Ensuring good airflow will help reduce moisture and dampness and make your home easier to heat. If not already, you should have extractor fans installed in bathrooms and range hoods. Subfloor vents should be present on all sides of the house to keep air circulating; this is an issue, especially with older houses, as building standards have been revised in the last few years.

You might be eligible for a grant:
If you own and live in a house built before 2008, have a Community Services Card (LINK), or live in an area identified as low-income, you might be eligible for a grant from the Warmer Kiwi Homes Programme. This could cover up to 80% of the ceiling and underfloor insulation or 80% of the cost of an approved heater.

Get a free assessment
You can get free advice from the CEA or a free online assessment from Homefit (if you want a visit or a certification that costs $100 to $300).

DIY improvements

You can do several things to make your house better insulated, drier and easier to warm or keep cool.

Windows: If you don't have double-glazed windows, you can quickly achieve a similar effect by installing insulation film on your single-pane windows. It is estimated that these can reduce glass heat loss by up to 60%. Prices range from $30 to $45 depending on the size, and you can install them easily; all you need is a hairdryer and scissors. You can find them at a hardware store or order online from CEA (The Community Energy Action Charitable Trust).
Curtains: High-quality, lined curtains help you further regulate the temperature in your home by minimising heat loss in winter and keeping out the heat from the sun in the summer. Even if you have double-glazed windows, curtains can make a big difference and make your house more energy-efficient. Genless offers the following advice on choosing curtains: make sure they are double layered with a thick lining, have pelmets above them, are wider than the window frame, fit tightly against the wall or window frame and reach the floor.
There are curtain banks around the country, and the CEA also provides free curtains. Please consider donating your curtains to these places if they are in good condition.
Draught-proof your home: You can do many small fixes around the house to block draughts, close gaps and keep the warm air inside. You can affix weather strips to your windows, seal doors and window trims and fit draught excluders to the doors. Genless has a whole section on this topic, and Meridian prepared a very good guide on how to eliminate draughts.
Insulate your hot water cylinder: Insulating the hot water cylinder and the pipes around it will diminish heat loss and reduce power consumption. Providing this additional insulation is especially important if your water heater is old, but even newer models will benefit from an extra layer; the CEA estimates wrapping your cylinder can save up to $45 per year (when paying 20 cents /kWh). Cylinder wrap is about $70, and pipe insulation costs about $5 a metre from hardware stores.

Smart devices to maximise savings

You can incorporate several gadgets into your home to make it more energy-efficient. The aim is to reduce energy waste as much as possible by scheduling on-times for your devices; you can do this with low-tech mechanical timers or wifi-enabled smart plugs; the choice is yours. These are especially useful if you are on a plan that charges cheaper prices for energy used during the night or off-peak times, but even if you're not, you'll still benefit by reducing your overall consumption.

Power point timers: These are simple mechanical timers that you can attach to a power plug and schedule devices to go off at certain times. You can group devices at one time to get all your mobile devices charged for 3 hours at night instead of being plugged in all night. This not only saves energy but also improves battery life. These are widely available from electrical shops.
Smart plugs are Wifi-enabled power plugs that you can fit between the wall socket and any device you want to connect, so you can control "dumb" devices through an app on your phone. With the help of smart plugs, you can schedule when appliances turn on; for example, you can automate charging times for your mobile devices, turn on fans or heaters at certain times, turn on your fairy lights, etc. This Australian website has useful tips on making the most of smart plugs.
Sensors: Consider installing daylight, movement or occupancy-sensor lights where appropriate so that lights are only on when needed. These are especially useful in the garden, driveways and garages.
Thermostats: If your heater doesn't have a thermostat built in or you find that it's not accurate enough, you can attach an external thermostat like heatermate to further manage your heater's performance and reduce its energy consumption.
Towel rail timers: Attaching a timer to your towel rail will let you have warm towels when you need them and save energy when you don't.
Generate solar energy: For the ultimate energy optimisation, consider installing solar panels to generate energy for yourself and sell power back into the grid. Powershop has a very detailed guide on this topic.

Further guides and resources: