Slash Your Power Bill: Top Tips for Savvy Kiwis
With the cost of living on the rise, many New Zealand households are feeling the grizzly pinch. One of the biggest and most variable household expenses is the monthly power bill, which can be a real bear to open. The good news is that you have more control over it than you might think! With a few smart adjustments to your habits and a little help from technology, you can make significant savings and keep more honey in your pot.
Here are our top, well-researched tips to help you cut down your electricity costs.
1. Tame the Hot Water Heater
Hot water heating is one of the largest contributors to a Kiwi home's energy usage, often accounting for around 30% of the bill.
Wash Clothes in Cold Water: Modern laundry detergents are highly effective in cold water. Aim for a minimum of 20°C (which many modern front-loaders can do). Switching from a hot to a cold wash can save you up to $100 a year.
Heat Water When It's Cheap: If you have a timer on your hot water cylinder or a smart system, you can set it to heat only during off-peak hours. It's the cheapest way to avoid a grizzly morning shower.
Take Shorter Showers: Aim for showers under 5 minutes. If everyone in a family of four cuts their shower time by just a few minutes, the annual savings can be substantial.
Check Your Thermostat: Your hot water cylinder thermostat should be set to 60°C. This is hot enough to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria like Legionella but not so high that it wastes energy.
Fix Leaky Taps: A single dripping hot tap can waste hundreds of litres of water and add a surprising amount to your bill over a year.
2. Heat Your Home Smarter, Not Harder
As temperatures drop, heating costs soar. Ditch the outdated advice and learn how modern heat pumps really work.
Embrace the "Thermal Battery" Effect: Stop thinking of your house as just a box of air. Everything solid—your concrete floor, walls, and even dense furniture—soaks up heat like a giant "thermal battery". Letting your home get frosty overnight means your heat pump has to fight an un-bear-ably expensive battle every morning to recharge this thermal mass from scratch.
Maintain a Minimum Temperature: For a well-insulated Kiwi home, the "set it and forget it" approach wins. Instead of turning the heat pump off completely, use its timer to maintain a minimum temperature of around 16°C overnight. The next morning, it only needs a gentle nudge to get to a toasty 20°C, using far less power than reheating from the cold. It's like cruise control for your comfort, sipping power instead of guzzling it.
3. Conquer the Kitchen & Unplug 'Vampire' Appliances
Your kitchen and entertainment appliances can be silent energy drainers.
Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances: When it's time to upgrade, look for the Energy Star rating. The more stars, the more you'll save over the appliance's lifetime.
Switch Off at the Wall: Many modern appliances continue to draw power even when they're on standby. This "vampire" power can add up. Get into the habit of switching off devices like your TV, gaming console, and microwave at the wall when not in use.
Use Lids on Pots: When foraging for snacks and cooking on the stovetop, using a lid traps heat and can seriously reduce the energy required.
4. Let a Pro Find the Best Deals with Buzz-switch
Shopping around for the best power plan can save you hundreds of dollars, but honestly, who has the time for that malarkey? That's where a bit of expert help comes in. Be warned, using out-dated comparison websites could be costly; the Buzz-switch page on our website explains why.
The Buzz-switch service by The I.T. Bear is a game-changer for busy Kiwis. It's a "set and forget" service where one of our clever consultants continuously monitors the New Zealand electricity market for you. We identify the best power plan for your specific usage, manage the entire switching process, and make changing providers an absolute doddle.
With average savings between $500 and $1200 per household, you get to take advantage of the most competitive rates and special joining offers without any of the usual hassle. It’s the smartest, easiest way to ensure you're never paying more than you have to.
5. Use Off-Peak Power (But Be Careful!)
Many electricity retailers offer 'Time of Use' plans with cheaper rates at night and on weekends. This sounds great, but it's a double-edged sword. Using your main appliances during these off-peak times can lead to big savings. However, the flip side is that power used during peak times (usually mornings and evenings on weekdays) can be eye-wateringly expensive. Get the timing wrong, and you could end up with a bigger bill than you started with! This strategy is best for disciplined households who can reliably shift their usage, or for those who use timers on their dishwashers, washing machines, and EV chargers.
By implementing these tips, you can take back control of your power bill. Start with a few small changes, and for the ultimate saving with zero hibernation-inducing effort, book the Buzz-Switch service to do the hard work for you and maximise your savings.