13 ways to avoid the WINTER power bill shock

Brian from Mount Roskill

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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