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Consumer online website is: http://www.consumer.org.nz/Default.asp?bhcp=1

Citizens Advice Bureau is http://www.cab.org.nz/

If you're phoning, you can use either your local bureau's number or freephone 0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222).

One of the easiest ways to stay warm is to make sure that the warm air in your house stays in the house.

Lounge
- Block off open fireplaces when not in use (make a note to remind yourself)
- Turn TV, DVD whatever off at the wall when not in use
- Use correct size/type heater for the size of the room
- Have a rug over your legs whilst watching TV or on the computer
- Put on extra clothes instead of turning up the heat (thermals or polyprops)
- Use fluorescent energy saving light bulbs especially in the most used rooms

Kitchen
- Use correct sized pots (and lids) for the right sized element
- Get all the food you need for cooking out of the fridge at once
- Try not to open the oven door when cooking to prevent heat loss
- Cook several things at once in the oven
- Use stack steamers
- Fill the jug from the cold tap
- Use the jug (hot) water to wash dishes
- Use extractor fan for immediate purpose only otherwise it will suck out all your heat
- Repair seals on ovens & fridges
- When buying a new appliance, ask for an energy-efficient model & check the "Energy Star Rating" sticker
- Fix any leaking tap, especially the hot tap
- Use the economy cycle & only full loads in the dishwasher
- Toasters & microwaves use less energy than most ovens

Laundry
- Use cold water for laundry and wash only full loads
- Use the sun and wind to dry your laundry
- Repair leaky taps
- Turn hot water cylinder down to 60 degrees Celsius
- Insulate hot water cylinder if not labelled 'A' Grade
- Wrap hot water pipes with lagging material definitely the first couple of meters if reachable
- Turn off hot water cylinder if away for 2+ weeks
- Avoid using the clothes dryer & use clothes horses instead

Bathroom
- Turn heated towel rails off or use for a few hours only (use a timer)
- Keep the door closed to prevent moisture going through the rest of the house.  It's quicker & easier to heat dry air than moist air
- Shower instead of baths
- Replace shower head with a low flow head
- Wash hands with cold water 

Bedrooms
- Close doors to rooms not used
- Keep all your closet doors closed, just another extra space to heat
- Cheaper to heat a bed than a whole room
- Heat your bed with hot water bottles vs electric blanket
- Bedside (lower wattage) lamp uses less energy
- Extra blankets instead of electric blanket

General
- Maintain & service all your heating equipment to keep in top operating condition 
- Close curtains and windows at sunset in the winter & while heating
- Thermal backed, floor length curtains retain more heat
- Make use of natural warmth (sun) & cut/prune trees blocking windows
- Students, study at the library to save your heating
- Move heaters away from windows (heat will go straight out)
- Seal all leaks & draughts with door snakes
- Use foam strips around windows & doors
- Fix all cracks in windows, walls & doors
- Thermostats offer consistent & more efficient heating 
- Double glazed windows offer more insulation
- Fill gaps in your ceiling insulation
- Move furniture away from any exterior walls. Putting some space between you and the cold walls makes the house seem warmer and leaving room for the air to move around actually makes it warmer
- Insulate the ceiling
- Insulate under timber floors
- Take advantage when renovating to insulate the walls

Thermostats help maintain an even temperature and conserve energy

Timers allow you to turn a heater on to warm up a room before you get up or to turn a heater off after you have gone to bed

Fans help a room warm up faster and distribute the air more evenly (by preventing heat build up near the ceiling)

Check out the Consumer website to work out the best heating solution for your home.  They have a calculator to work out the best heater for the size of the room(s) you want heated plus they have done tests on the best brands of heating equipment

Your local power company may offer energy audits. Many offer free or low cost inspections and free information booklets that can help reduce your heating costs

Ring your local power company and ask to set up an automatic payment based on your last 12 months of usage.  Most power companies already offer this.  Better for budgeting and you're less likely to get behind.  It should even out over the seasons.

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