How to Save Money by Reducing Your Electricity Bill

Saving money at home doesn’t mean having to sacrifice on comfort and convenience; it can simply mean maximizing the natural environment. For some Kiwis, it can also be done by simply using less power. 

Ever wondered how to save on your energy bill? There are various ways to reduce electricity at home, allowing you to save money on power, resulting in more money in your back pocket. 

Spikes in power bills during winter

Winter in New Zealand can have temperatures as low as 10 - 15ºC. So, it’s understandable that during these colder months,electricity bills can spike.   

It can be quite a challenge to save money on power during these months. Especially as you set heat pumps higher and turn them on more often. It’s easy to do this not only during winter, but also during rainy weather, as a warm home is enticing after a long hard day at work.

In order to reduce your power usage, the first thing you should do is get into the right head space. Ideally, less is more, and it helps to navigate your house as a Kiwi navigates its nest. Check all the appliances in your home - what do you need to use consistently, and what is an unnecessary added expense?  

While there are plenty of ways to reduce your electricity bill at home during cold months, you can do so for the rest of the year with this in mind: Clean, Reduce, Maximize. These are three simple ways to reduce electricity bills all year round.

Clean and reduce 

Clean and arrange your furniture with a focus of getting more sunlight and air to enter into your home. For example, if you have a window, wide enough to let fresh air in, then best clear that spot. This will give you enough sunlight and ventilation during the daytime. Also, check the bathroom and the kitchen; be sure to regularly clean them to prevent moisture from building up. 

For the ‘reduce’ part, apply this to all your heat pumps, lights, and appliances: 

Turn on heat pumps only when you need them the most. If you are out of the house, then best to turn them off. 

Heaters in individual rooms should only be used when you only want to heat a small space. 

Turn off the television and other appliances when you are not using them. Home appliances, both big and the small, can easily pile up your energy usage. 

Instead of using a dryer, you can use a rack to dry clothes outside when it’s not raining and the sun is saying “Kia ora!” 

During daytime, draw the curtains to use natural lighting, instead of using the electric bulbs. 

Tip: instead of incandescent light bulbs, you can scout for energy-saving light bulbs. According to EECA, using energy-efficient light bulbs allows you to save at least $100 for a year.

Maximize

The next step is to maximize your space and natural environment. The sunlight and fresh air works wonders to help you save money on power. Extractor fans are usually used to keep the damp at bay, but they can introduce excessive power costs. When it’s not raining, open the window during the day to let air in and to dry moist walls in the bathroom. 

Let your house absorb as much heat during the day as possible. You can also use cold water instead of hot for washing dishes and clothes. Also, most modern appliances have eco-mode settings, which maximizes both their power and heat usage. 

Get ready to save power and money!

To conclude, you can save money by reducing your electricity bill, and without sacrificing on comfort and convenience. Only a few adjustments at home can make a huge difference in savings in the long run. During the coldest months - June, July, and August - your electricity bill can easily spike up. By conserving energy and maximizing natural power, you’ll be on your way towards a great savings journey.

If you’re located in the North Island, then Energy Online is one of the leading energy providers in your area. Since 2002, Energy Online has been providing their customers with cost-efficient power plans, and with added benefits like a prompt payment discount of 20%!  

If you’re moving or living somewhere in the North or South Island, and want to switch power providers, then head on over to the CompareBear power comparison tool to check other power plans.