Switch on to power-saving ways

Most of us have to pay utility bills, but there are many small steps you can take to cut down how much you pay on each bill. If you save on four different utility payments every month for a year you will be surprised at how much the savings add up to. To get started try these:
The Consumer NZ website consumer.org.nz has a free-to-view table setting out how much appliances typically cost to run. You can see from this which appliances are costing you the most money, and focus on using them more efficiently.
Check whether your local hardware store offers free courses explaining how to save water and energy around the home. Bunnings Warehouse holds such workshops around the country, and also has tips on its website bunnings.co.nz (see sustainability solutions).
There are many ways to lower your electricity and gas bills. the two key areas to focus on are:
Ensuring that you are on the best supply plan for your household's needs and ...
Making sure that all family members learn not to waste power.
The Consumer NZ website consumer.org.nz/powerswitch has a free interactive calculator where you can work out which power company and which pricing plan would be the most economical for you.
The site asks you for your location, and you can feed in details of your most recent power bill to obtain personalised information.
Powerswitch takes the information about your pattern of electricity use and details from your power bill, then calculates how much electricity you use in a year.
It then compares different pricing plans to identify the cheapest one. Powerswitch also takes you through all the steps needed to change your electricity supplier.
It is important to ensure your house is as energy-efficient as possible. Check with your local council to see what services it offers.
Some councils will send someone out to your home to conduct an energy audit and advise you on what you can do to save power.
Catriona MacLennan is author of Survive the Crunch, a book full of practical tips and user-friendly advice on what Kiwis need to know to survive the recession. The book, published by HarperCollins, can be bought at any good bookstore. RRP $24.99.