Seasonal

Open up those curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible - it’ll brighten your space and cut down on the need for artificial lighting.

If you still have a few old bulbs hanging around, swap them out for energy-efficient LEDs.

Spring’s great for a reset. Clean your heat pump filters, fridge coils, and vacuum filters to help everything run more efficiently. If you’ve got a dripping tap, now’s the time to fix it -  especially if it’s connected to your hot water cylinder.

Take advantage of the milder weather and line-dry your washing outdoors.

When you do need to use the dryer, try running it during off-peak hours for cheaper rates.

Plan ahead to make the most of off-peak times. Slow cookers or multi-cookers are great for preparing meals earlier in the day - and they’ll help you avoid using extra energy during the evening peak.

Close curtains and blinds during the hottest part of the day to block heat.

Open windows in the evening to let in cooler air.

Avoid using the auto setting on your heat pump as this will switch between heating and cooling to maintain a consistent room temperature, instead use the cooling or fan setting exclusively. 

Set air conditioning to 20-22°C. Your heat pump won’t cool your space any more quickly at a lower temperature, but it will use more power!

Run washing machines, dishwashers, and other big appliances at night or off-peak times.

Charge devices like phones, laptops, and EVs when electricity is cheapest.

Use appliances like pool pumps, washing machines, or vacuums during sunny hours to make the most of free solar power.

Store excess solar in batteries to cover evening peak times.

Cook outdoors on the BBQ to avoid heating up your home with ovens.

Make the most of those summer nights and spend time outside!

Check for any sneaky drafts around windows and doors - sealing these gaps helps keep the warmth in and the cold out. 

Good insulation makes a big difference too, so your home stays warmer for longer without overworking the heater. If you’re renting your landlord must make sure the home is up to healthy homes standards, this includes requirements around insulation and heating. Familiarise yourself with the healthy homes standards here: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes

Make the most of off-peak hours by preheating your home during these hours. Residual warmth will carry you through peak times, so you’ll use less energy during the busy and more expensive peak period.

Closing doors to unused rooms can help keep the heat where you need it most, and only heating the rooms you’re actually going to use can make a difference too!

Try running your washing machine, dryer, or dishwasher overnight or during off-peak times.

If your appliances have a delay-start setting, even better - you can set them to run when power is cheapest.

With shorter days, outdoor lights start working harder. Add timers or motion sensors so they only switch on when needed - saving you energy and effort.

Dress warmly and use blankets to reduce heating needs.

Install thermal curtains and close them at night to trap warmth inside.

Set heat pumps to 20-22°C. This might feel cooler than you’d expect from a heater but after 20 minutes or so you should have a comfortable room temperature. If you set your heat pump to a higher temperature it will consume much more energy and you’ll notice this in your next power bill!

Use timers to pre-warm your home before you wake up or return at night.

Avoid running heaters during the most expensive peak times

Take shorter showers to reduce both water and energy use.

If you have a hot water cylinder, use a timer to heat it during cheaper night hours.

If you have Hot Water Control set your level to Smart or Maximiser

Pre-warm your bed with an electric blanket set to a low setting, then switch it off before sleep.

Hot water bottles or wheat bags are simple, low-cost ways to stay toasty.

Wash clothes in cold water at night or during off-peak hours.

Use dryers or heated towel rails overnight, or dry clothes in the sun when possible.