Winter is often a bigger drag on your energy bills. The heater is on, you’re spending more time at home, and using your appliances and gadgets more frequently.
While it may be tempting to go ahead and turn off everything in the house and cocoon yourself in a cosy blanket, there are risks when NZ homes are not kept warm enough. Under-heating your home during winter can increase mould growth and impair your immune system, so you may want to skip turning off the heater and look for other ways to cut costs. Below, we discuss how you can keep your power bills regulated without compromising on your comfort this winter!
Improve Thermal Insulation With Blinds
It may not have crossed your mind, but thermal and honeycomb blinds are revolutionary products in the window covering market. They simply allow you to retain heat in your home without any additional cost. Thermal blinds are constructed with a thermal material that offers excellent insulation during cold winter months. Not only that, but thermal blinds also provide exceptional privacy.
Honeycomb blinds, also known as Thermacell, are renowned for their insulation properties as well. They can increase thermal insulation by up to three times that of a regular curtain. NZ Blinds offers thermal and honeycomb blinds in a range of beautiful, neutral colours with plenty of customisable features to complement any interior décor.
Turn Off Appliances When Not In Use
One of the easiest ways to lower your energy bills during winter is to turn off appliances you are not using and unplug them from the wall. This will reduce power consumption and “vampire draw” (the power that devices consume even when they’re switched off), saving you as much as $100 per year.
Look For An Energy Star Rating
It’s also good to invest in appliances with the most energy stars. These appliances are the most efficient to run. When purchasing a new appliance, pay attention to the Energy Rating Label, which tells you how many kilowatts each appliance will cost per year to run. A cheaper appliance with a lower rating may cost you more in the long run.
Take Shorter Hot Showers
A long, hot shower can be a welcome break from a chilly or draughty home, but it comes at a price. Try to keep your hot showers as short as you can. If everyone in the household reduces their shower time to five minutes, you could save 66% on your hot water bills.
Switch To Energy-Efficient Bulbs
We all know that it gets dark earlier in winter, so homes need more lighting than usual. Lighting accounts for about 8% of your bill. To reduce your lighting consumption, switch your incandescent bulbs to energy-saving LEDs, which can save you up to $250 on energy bills for a typical sized home.
Learn To Read Your Own Meter
Make sure to track your power so you can be on top of your electricity usage. Tracking your usage can help you lower your bills by altering your habits when you know how you consume electricity. You also get a more accurate idea of your monthly bills to avoid surprises.
Make Your Homes Warmer and Cozier This Winter with NZ Blinds!
Don’t suffer through the cold by eliminating simple comforts at home to lower down your energy bills. With a little bit of inventiveness, you can make your New Zealand home more comfortable regardless of the season. Invest in products that make your homes more energy-efficient, especially during winter.
With NZ Blinds’ range of thermal insulating blinds, including thermal and honeycomb blinds, you can save on power without having a major impact on your day-to-day life. Prep your homes for the winter and contact us today!