Doing a fairly good impression of a goldfish when you tear open the envelope and look at your power bill. You're not alone. Since 2003 power prices have increased by seven per cent a year.
Trying to figure out how to reduce your power bill has become a national pastime.
Here are Element's suggestions for your budget.
For nothing
Shop around for electricity: retailers have varying rates. Visit powerswitch.org.nz to compare (try the savings calculator) or whatsmynumber.org.nz? - the average saving is $160 per year.
Check out powershop.co.nz where you can buy in advance or shop for bargains. Ask if your power company offers multi-rate tariffs - different power prices for different times - doing your washing in the middle of the night can be done with a timer plug.
Stop draughts: make draught snakes for doors with high ground clearance, fill holes or gaps in the floor.
Drying: use the sun instead of the tumble dryer and save $60 every year. Wash clothing in cold water: save $60 each year.
Beer fridge: If you have a second fridge, use it only at the weekend and save $100 every year.
Check your hot water: it should be at 55 degrees at the tap. Every 10 degrees above that costs an extra 10%.
Towels: it takes a couple of hours to dry a towel. A timer switch on your heated towel rail will save $100 each year.
Phase out standby mode: TVs, stereos and electronic equipment all have the telltale red light, but washing machines, dryers, and phone chargers left on at the wall can also drain energy. Switch everything off at the wall and save $75 a year.
Defrost your freezer: it will run more efficiently.
Taps: fix dripping taps.
Water: when turning on a tap for some cold water (ie filling the kettle), make sure the lever is pushed all the way to the cold side.
Small investment
Lighting: For every four high use bulbs you change from incandescent to LED or fluorescent bulbs, you save up to $80 per year.?
Timer switches: get a timer switch for your appliances which sit on standby, and you don't have to go around switching them off at the wall each night. Go a step further with smart switches like the intelliswitch ( intelliswitch.co.nz ).
