We rely on energy every day in so many ways around the home. If we can save a little every time we turn on the hot tap or a light switch, it all adds up.

Multiply your household savings across all the homes around New Zealand and it makes a big difference. Here are some easy things you can do right now - and every day - to cut your energy costs and help the environment.

 

Hot water can account for around a quarter of your energy bill. With an energy-efficient heater and thoughtful use of hot water, you can cut your hot water costs by as much as 45%. With a gas-boosted solar heater that figure could be even more.

 

Showering uses over 30% of your hot water. Fit a flow-restrictor to your existing shower and you'll save half the hot water, without noticing any difference in the quality of the shower. Fix dripping taps and check your hot water tank. It's common to find a leaking pressure relief valve that can waste 100s of litres of hot water. If you are going to be away from home for a week or more, turn your hot water system off.

 

Lighting uses lots of energy. Get into the habit of switching lights off when you leave a room, or better still, replace your ordinary incandescent light bulbs (which last up to 1000 hours) with compact fluorescents, which use the same fitting. They cost more to buy, but are cheaper to run and last up to 8000 hours. Halogen lights sit in between; they cost more than ordinary bulbs but cost half the amount to run and last up to 2000 hours.

 

 

9 easy ways to save energy, money and the environment - every day.

 

1. Consider a solar hot water system. 

 

Solar water heaters with an efficient booster for cloudy days (gas-boosted is best) can save you thousands of dollars over the life-time of the system. And you'll save around as much greenhouse gas as a large car produces in a year.

 

2. Use cold water when you can.

 

Wash clothes in cold water with a cold-water detergent and if you must rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, use cold water.

 

3. Only wash a full load in your dishwasher or washing machine.

 

You use about the same amount of energy and hot water doing a full load as a half load.

 

4. Don't leave outside lights on.

 

A light that's always on in a dark corridor or courtyard wastes a lot of energy over time. Think about installing a timer or motion sensor.

 

5. Use compact fluorescents

 

Also consider new generation fluorescent tubes in the kitchen or anywhere the lights are on for long periods. They use 80% less energy to produce the same light.

 

6. Fit lower wattage bulbs in multiple down lights.

 

75 watt bulbs uses 25% less energy than 100 watt bulbs. Across a large number of bulbs that's a big saving.

 

7. Use solar lighting in your garden or driveway.

 

It avoids electric cabling and costs nothing to run.

 

8. Think about appliances on standby.

 

What's switched on at your place? Your TV, VCR, DVD, stereo, computer, games console, all on standby use a fair amount of energy over a year.

 

9. Save with the four Rs.

 

Refuse excess packaging, Reduce the amount you buy, Re-use as much possible, Recycle all the things you can't Refuse, Reduce or Re-use.

 

Further Information

 

You can find all the information you need to know regarding solar energy in NZ on Solar Industries website.

 

There is currently a scheme that assists with the costs of installing solar heating, click here to download a pdf outlining the scheme.