Power Saving Tips for New Zealanders: A Seasonal Guide

Maximise daylight hours by opening curtains and blinds, reducing your reliance on artificial lighting.

Replace any remaining incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs.

Clean heat pumps, fridge coils, and vacuum cleaner filters to maintain their efficiency.

Fix dripping taps to save water, especially if connected to a hot water cylinder.

Use outdoor clotheslines to dry clothes naturally in the milder weather.

Run your washing machine at night (11 pm–7 am) or during off-peak times (11 am–5 pm) to take advantage of lower electricity rates.

Use slow cookers or multi-cookers during off-peak times to prepare meals efficiently.

Avoid evening peak times (5–9 pm) by preparing meals earlier in the day.

Close curtains or blinds during the hottest parts of the day to block heat.

Use fans or air conditioning during off-peak hours to pre-cool your home; set air conditioners to 20–22°C for energy-efficient cooling.

Schedule washing machines, dishwashers, and other high-energy appliances for night periods or off-peak hours.

Charge devices like phones, laptops, and EVs overnight when electricity rates are lowest.

Perform energy-intensive activities like vacuuming or running the pool pump during peak sunlight hours to make the most of solar energy.

Store excess solar energy in batteries for use during expensive peak periods.

Cook outdoors on BBQs to avoid heating your home with ovens.

Spend evenings outside to reduce reliance on artificial lighting and cooling.

Check for drafts around windows and doors; seal gaps to prevent heat loss.

Ensure your home is properly insulated to reduce heating demands as temperatures drop.

Preheat your home during off-peak hours (11 am–5 pm) using heat pumps or electric heaters. Residual warmth will carry into evening peak times.

Shut doors to unused rooms to concentrate warmth in key areas.

Run washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers during night hours or off-peak times to reduce costs.

Use delay-start features to automate these tasks for the cheapest energy periods.

As days shorten, use motion sensors or timers for outdoor lights to avoid unnecessary energy use.

Dress warmly and use blankets to reduce heating needs.

Install thermal curtains and close them at night to retain warmth.

Use heat pumps during off-peak hours to preheat your home and set them to 20–22°C for optimal efficiency.

Program heaters to turn off during expensive peak periods (7–11 am and 5–9 pm).

Heat water during night hours using a timer on your hot water cylinder to save on heating costs.

Take shorter showers during off-peak hours to minimise both water and energy use.

Warm beds with electric blankets during off-peak times and switch them off before peak periods.

Use hot water bottles or microwavable wheat bags as additional low-cost heating methods.

Wash clothes at night or during off-peak hours.

Use heated towel rails or dryers overnight to avoid peak pricing.

Turn off devices like TVs, gaming consoles, and chargers when not in use to prevent standby energy drain.

Use smart meters or energy apps to track your usage and identify opportunities to shift energy-intensive tasks to off-peak and night times.

Replace old appliances with ENERGY STAR® rated models for long-term savings.

Program appliances like washing machines and dishwashers to run during night periods for maximum savings.

Charge EVs, phones, and laptops overnight to take advantage of the lowest electricity rates.