Feeling the pinch of winter bills? Here are our top 10 tips for lowering them, and saving money!
This winter is turning into another bitter one! As the cold weather progresses, we may be finding ourselves victim to eye-watering power bills. In this current economic climate, making savings where you can is truly vital to feeling financially secure and stressing less.
We have rounded up our top 10 tips for reducing your bills this winter.
1. Energy Efficient Heaters
Switching on the heaters becomes instinctive in the winter. We must stay warm somehow! But be sure you are choosing the right heaters – ones that have a high energy efficiency rating, such as a heat pump. The more stars on the unit, the more energy efficient. Energy efficiency simply means that an appliance will use the least amount of energy possible to perform the same task. They will therefore not consume heaps of power, but will still keep you warm.
Importance of Energy Efficiency
2. Turn Appliances off When Not Using Them
When you are not using your appliances, but they are still powered on at the wall, they will be consuming a small amount of energy. This is called standby power, or vampire power. Sneaky and silent, vampire power can seem small, but it can add up over time. Most devices, such as your TVs, gaming consoles, and even your phone charger, will consume electricity when they aren’t switched off completely. You can save about $100 per year just by turning off appliances at the wall when you aren’t using them.
3. Eat Less Meat
You can make grocery savings by swapping some of your meat for plant-based alternatives. A can of chickpeas is going to cost a lot less than a tray of chicken breast, and they work just as well in curry as chicken. Eating less meat is also gentler on the environment – a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and make savings this weekend.
4. Use your Dryer Efficiently
We tend to turn to our dryers more often than the outdoor line in winter. But you can still hang your clothes outside when it’s cold. They won’t dry as quickly as they do in summer – but it will save you money on your power bill! If you use your dryer, make sure you use it efficiently. For example, use a dryer with a high energy star rating and make sure your clothes have been wrung out well in the washing machine.
5. Wash in Cold Water
There is a long-standing belief that you need to wash your clothes in hot water to kill bacteria. But modern washing machines and laundry detergents work just as well, and cold water will consume far less power than hot water. Try washing your clothes on the cold setting for one month, and notice the reduction in your power bill!
6. Run Appliances at Night
There are some electricity companies that offer lower power rates during the right, since there is typically less demand in these hours. You could choose to run your dishwasher overnight (just make sure it’s on the eco-setting), your washing machine, or dryer.
7. Have Short Showers
We know, we know. Long, hot showers are a delightful experience. But the hot water use can spike your electricity bill! Try turning the shower off while you shampoo your hair or use your body scrub, and keep a timer for 10 minutes or less, to avoid consuming lots of power each time you jump in!
8. Try Electric Blankets
Electric blankets can be more energy efficient than heaters, because they only need to warm up your bed, and not the room. Snuggling up into a warm bed is one of life’s simplest pleasures. And it can save you money on your power bill, if you choose to use it instead of your heater!
9. Hot Water Bottles
They are not just for your nan, or for when you have a tummy ache. Hot water bottles use very little energy – just the kettle to heat the water! Snuggle up with one on the couch, or pop one in your bed so you can crawl into a warm bed. They can help you feel toasty, without needing to turn on the heater!
10. Compare your Power Bill!
One of the most effective ways to lower your bills this winter is to compare them. Compare your power bill, broadband bill, and mobile bill within minutes. It’s free, quick and easy. Simply:
- Jump onto our website.
- Choose what bill you’d like to compare.
- Select your preferences based on your unique needs.
- Compare the plans available to you side-by-side.
- Choose one you like, and switch!
Comparing can help you save hundreds of dollars throughout the year, and can make a significant difference in your bills month-to-month. As more of us feel the pinch of the cost of living, anything we can save will make a difference to our budget, reduce our stress, and help us make savings.
Further Reading:
Do I Qualify for Winter Energy Payment 2024?
Can I get Power Credits? Energy Hardship Schemes in NZ