Five tips to save on energy bills this winter

It’s winter – the season of heaters cranking, dryers whirring and hot baths running.  But how can you stop the cooler months putting the heat on your wallet? Here are five tips that could help you save money this winter. 

Use your heat pump well 

Heat pumps can be a really efficient way to heat a home, but there are cheaper ways to use them. Although it’s often a topic of debate, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) says it’s not actually cheaper to run them all the time – you should turn them off when you’re not at home. Set the temperature to where you need it – a higher temperature won’t make the heat pump work more quickly, it will just use more power. 

Try to avoid “auto” mode too, because this will make your heat pump work harder, switching from heating and cooling, to maintain the temperature it’s set to. Regularly cleaning your heat pump can also make it more efficient. 

Turn off the heated towel rail when you can 

A warm towel can be a lifesaver on a cold winter morning, but if there are any heated towel rails you don’t need, turning them off will save you money. EECA says a rail left on all the time could be costing $170 a year. 

Use the right heater for your room 

All electric heaters cost the same amount to run, but the heat they deliver can vary a lot. Getting the right heater for your room can help you get the most heat for your money. Consumer says radiant heaters, for example, are good for quick, directional heat in a small area of a room. Convection heaters can be great for background warmth. 

Power up your slow cooker 

Coming home to a house that’s full of the smell of a homecooked meal can be bliss on a wintry evening. And for added benefit, cooking a meal in a slow cooker costs about a third of the amount of using an oven. You can often use cheaper cuts of meat as well. 

Consider your power plan 

You may be able to save money by shopping around, or even by choosing a different type of plan for your electricity. It’s becoming more common for power companies to offer “time of use” plans which make it cheaper, or even free, to use power off-peak. Consumer NZ says this can save up to 20% on a power bill. You can also check sites such as Powerswitch to compare providers. 

Want to talk? 

 
We can’t help you with your power bill, but we can help you make great decisions when it comes to your finance needs. If you’re looking for a better way to access finance, get in touch with us. 

Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current developments or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.