This is the story of a $21 monthly power bill. You read it right - $21 and this for a family of five living in suburban Auckland.
It was the February bill, covering the height of summer when power demand is low. But it was no one-off; the previous bill was also fixed at $21 thanks to the family's low usage during summer.
"For our family this is massive," says Tara Moala, who with her husband Sifa, live with their three children, seven-year-old Milan, five-year-old Lagitupu and two-year-old Leilani in the city's eastern suburbs.
So massive, it means Tara has not had to find a part-time job to help make ends meet and the family will not have to sleep huddled together in front of the fire in the lounge to keep warm during winter.
The bill has come as the impact of using solar power in their home has begun to kick in for the family. Solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall storage battery system were installed by giant electricity distributor Vector after the Moalas were winners in the company's Future of Energy competition last year - and comes as Vector's majority shareholder Entrust this month launched a new Energy Efficient Communities Project (EECP).
The project is in partnership with Vector and Auckland Council and gives free hot water heat control units, LED lightbulbs and energy advice to homeowners in Papakura and Takanini.
As well, 12 schools and organisations in the area, including Edmund Hillary Primary School, are receiving Tesla batteries to store energy for use when the sun isn't shining.
For the Moalas the solar panels and battery system - installed last May - has resulted in a saving of almost $100 a month; their regular power bill was around $117 - itself a minimal amount compared to the average of about $200 for two-person Auckland households.
Their experience offers a glimpse into the future for the solar and battery recipients under the new EECP project. Although Tara expects their bill to go up a little during winter, she says the cost savings have already made an amazing difference to their lives.
"I know (the saving) is a small amount but my husband works in a low-paid job and the extra money we now have means I haven't had to go and look for more work (she is a part-time community development practitioner) and have been able to maintain playschool for the kids."
The Moalas live in a house built in the 1950s. "When we first moved in, it didn't have insulation and we used a fireplace for heating. We all used to sleep in the lounge because the whole house was freezing and it was the only room the fire would heat.
"Although we have since insulated the house and installed a heat pump, every winter we worry whether we can pay the higher power bills. Now that is not going to be a problem, I am very grateful."
WATCH: Vector and Entrust work with the community at Edmund Hillary School on the future of energy and sustainability
The Moalas have independently had LED lightbulbs, the hot water heat control system and low-flow showerhead installed and together with the solar panels and batteries estimate they are meeting almost two-thirds of their energy needs resulting in over $1,000 savings each year.
"It has been really amazing and such a great way of saving power," says Tara. "The battery saves power during the day for us to use and any surplus left after our use goes back to the main grid."
The use of solar power sits comfortably with the family. Tara, a waste champion with the Tamaki Waste Reduction Action Project, aims for zero waste in her household, adopting measure such as refusing to use plastic bags and disposable nappies.
She is also a member of a local community group Pera Community Gardeners who use a donated quarter acre block of land to grow their own vegetables.
William Cairns, chairman of Entrust, Vector's majority shareholder, says while the benefits of these energy solutions are well known at a government and commercial level, it is important to drive them at a community level, where it matters most.
Vector expects similar results to those achieved by the Moalas in the EECP project, a multi-million dollar partnership to promote sustainable and renewable energy in Auckland . CEO Simon Mackenzie says the Moalas have saved more than 1500 kg in CO2 emissions and believes the new project in south Auckland will give a practical insight into the impact on power bills.
Kataraina Nock, principal at Edmund Hillary Primary, says students take home what they learn at school: "With this project the energy-efficient message is not just about a sustainable city, it's a conversation about the real and tangible actions families can take to lower household expenditure on electricity."
Auckland mayor Phil Goff says the project has set a goal to have 1500 homes in Papakura and Takanini sign up for a free home energy check and, if successful, will look to roll it out to other areas in Auckland over the next few years.