13 ways to avoid the WINTER power bill shock
Here are some changes you can make around your home over the next few weeks to make a real difference to what you’ll pay for power this winter.
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If you’re thinking of installing insulation, prioritise the ceiling – it’s where you lose the most heat and is usually the easiest to do.
When we tested curtains, it was floor-length, heavy lined curtains that did the best job of keeping the heat in. Even when heavy lined curtains only went to the length of the windowsill, they still did a better job than floor-length thermal curtains. Thermal curtains have a plastic coating bonded to the fabric, while heavy lined have an extra layer of fabric.
In our test of window blinds, honeycomb blinds did the best job of keeping the heat in. Roman blinds were next best, followed by roller blinds then, lastly, Venetians.
Try putting rolled-up towels above your curtain rail. This hack won’t do much for the aesthetics of your home but we found it increased the performance of curtains by creating a seal at the top.
If you know you’re going to be hanging your washing inside, spin the load on the fastest speed. Every extra drop squeezed out at spinning means less evaporating into your living space.
If part of your house doesn’t get a lot of airflow and tends to be damp, consider a dehumidifier. It does a good job of drying out small spaces and acts as a heater too. You can see which models we rate on our website. Or if you already have one, make sure its filter is cleaned out and ready to be used again.
Make sure the pots you cook with have close-fitting lids so steam doesn’t escape.
A shower dome over the top of a shower will turn steam into condensation and send it down the drain.
Compare power companies at powerswitch.org.nz. We run this comparison website to help you find the best deal on power. On average, Powerswitch users save $385 a year. You fill out a quick questionnaire about your house, compare prices and then activate the move to a new company.
Consider changing the way you use power around your house. Some power plans give you cheaper off-peak power or free periods of power. So you could save by moving your major power use to these times.
If you’ve been using an LPG gas heater, make this the autumn you ditch it. They’re expensive to run and also fill the air with moisture. Heat pumps are the cheapest heater to run.
Give your heat pump filters a vacuum to make them work more efficiently. They slide out easily and once you’ve done it, you’ll notice the difference straight away.
If you’re going to buy an electric heater, look for one with a thermostat to maintain an even temperature so it’s more cost efficient.
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Consumer NZ
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Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Calling All Puzzle Masters! Can You Solve This?
When John was six years old he hammered a nail into his favorite tree to mark his height.
Ten years later at age sixteen, John returned to see how much higher the nail was.
If the tree grew by five centimetres each year, how much higher would the nail be?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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