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Saving Energy at Home

Find out how to make energy savings around the home by taking our energy saving tips challenge.

You know that great feeling when your household bills are lower than you expected?

Well, we’ve put together some very effective energy-saving tips, so you can experience that feeling more often! Just by making a few small changes around the house, you can make big savings on your bill. That’s good news for the environment as well as for your pocket. Improving your energy efficiency today is a step towards a brighter future tomorrow.


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Tips for saving energy if you’re staying home

  • Defrost your freezer - it will run more efficiently
  • Fix dripping taps
  • Turn your appliances off at the wall when not in use
  • Turn your lights down to the low setting, or turn them off altogether
  • Make sure the temperature of your hot water is 55 degrees at the tap

Tips for saving energy if you’re going away

  • Turn your appliances off at the wall - even appliances on standby use energy!
  • Turn your heated towel rail off
  • Sensor lights are great outside, they only turn on when needed and provide additional security for your home while you are away
  • Turn the hot water cylinder off if you are going to be away for more than one week
  • If you have a fridge that you won’t need to keep things chilled in, turn it off at the wall, but remember to leave the door open

These things can make a big difference, for no cost

  • Use natural warmth from the sun as much as possible to dry clothes instead of the dryer. SAVE $40* every year.
  • Washing powders are so effective in cold water these days, there’s really no need to do hot washes. SAVE $60* each year.
  • Got a beer fridge? If you only turn it on at the weekend and keep it switched off during the week, you’ll SAVE $100* every year.
  • Check that your hot water is no more than 55 degrees C at the tap. Every 10 degrees C higher than that, and you’re spending a hefty 10% more than you need to. SAVE $30* every year.
  • Like your towels warm and dry? Your heated towel rail can do the job in just a couple of hours - then flick it off and you’ll SAVE $100* each year.
  • Phase out standby mode altogether. It’s not just the obvious culprits like TVs, stereos and electronic equipment. Washing machines, dryers, and phone chargers left on at the wall can also drain a lot of unnecessary energy. Switch everything off at the wall and you’ll SAVE $75* a year.
  • Try and reduce the amount of time spent in the shower. By limiting your showers to 5 minutes you could SAVE $100* per year.

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Affordable options to save more in the long run
Replace main light bulbs with fluorescent ones.
Initial Investment: Around $20 for four bulbs.
You Save: $84 a year*.
The Planet Saves: The same amount of CO2 as you'd save by not using your car for nearly six weeks.


Replace main light bulbs with fluorescent ones

Install a water-efficient shower head.
Initial Investment: $60 - $200
You Save: $120 a year*.
The Planet Saves: Enough in CO2 emissions for four return flights from Auckland to Wellington.


Install a water-efficient shower head

Insulate your hot water cylinder (if it’s not an A grade cylinder).

Initial Investment: $100.
You Save: $50 a year*.
The Planet Saves: Enough in CO2 emissions for a return car trip from Auckland to Palmerston North.


Insulate your hot water cylinder


Invest now for even bigger savings in the future

Install an instant gas hot water system, so you’re only heating water as you use it.
Initial Investment: $1,500 - $3,500.
You Save: $214 a year* (provided you already have gas installed).
The Planet Saves: The same amount of CO2 as cutting back your household rubbish by about 240 8kg bags a year.

Install an instant gas hot water system

Install a heat pump for healthy dry heat through your home.
Initial Investment: $2,500 - $4,500.
You Save: $870 a year*.
The Planet Saves: Almost enough in CO2 emissions for one person flying from NZ to the UK and back.


Install a heat pump

Install insulation in your ceiling and under your floor.
Initial Investment: From $2,800 (based on 100m2 home).
You Save: $168 a year*.
The Planet Saves: Enough to completely neutralise the CO2 emissions for 11 people flying from Auckland to Wellington.

Install insulation in your ceiling

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*These are indicative savings only. All prices include GST. Greenhouse gas emission conversion factors are subject to change. Click here to view up to date carbon emission information. Please refer to our assumptions and calculations.

Energy efficiency tips approved by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.


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