Don’t let your power bills get out of hand during winter!
With winter settling in across the country, many of us will be turning on the heater, taking longer showers and leaving our lights on a little longer, sending our power bills soaring.
You don’t have to choose between freezing or paying higher bills though. Here are a few simple steps you can take to cut down your winter power bills.
Get to know what products use the most energy around your home.
The microwave is one of the most common culprits for draining excess energy when not in use. Simply switching it off when you’re not using it can help you save some dollars.
Once you’ve identified the culprits around the home, switch them off or swap them out for more energy efficient options.
Before you reach for the heater, try warming up with extra blankets or keeping your home closed up when the temperature drops.
If your floors are tiled or you have wooden floor boards, consider investing in rugs.
When you do switch on the heater, make sure it’s energy efficient and you’ve closed all of the windows, blinds and doors.
If you’re only planning on using the one room, close that off. Limiting the heat to just one room means you’ll use less energy overall.
Have a chat with me about any real estate enquiries, my advice is given freely and without obligation - 0274 951536
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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76.9% Yes
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21.6% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.1% Yes
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15.2% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below