Energy Saving Tips NZ: 6 Ways to Reduce Winter Power Bills

Winter power bills bite hardest when homes are cold, draughty and damp — a familiar combo across Aotearoa. While it is warmer, summer is the best time to think about waether proofing your home.

Much of what you pay goes on space heating and hot water, and both cost more if warm air leaks out, cold air sneaks in, or moisture is left to linger. The good news: you don’t need a full renovation to make a real dent in costs. A handful of practical tweaks — from smarter heating and tighter seals to drier air and better tariffs — can lift comfort and trim your bill this winter (and don't forget Garage Doors can also be big heat generators in summer, so insulation will assist in reducing cooling costs too).

This guide focuses on six proven, NZ‑specific moves you can do in a weekend or two. You’ll get clear steps, realistic costs and expected payback, plus pro tips and pitfalls to avoid. We start where many homes lose surprising heat: the garage — especially if it’s attached or used as a laundry or workspace. Then we fine‑tune your heat pump, block draughts with better curtains and seals, cut hot water spend (without cold showers), keep the house drier so heating works better, and finally pay less for the same kilowatts with time‑of‑use plans and smart scheduling. First up: fix the biggest gap in many Kiwi homes — the garage door.

1. Seal or upgrade your garage door with DoorsNZ

If your garage is attached, it’s often the biggest hole in your home’s thermal envelope. Cold, damp air funnelling through a leaky roller door makes nearby rooms harder to heat and invites condensation. One of the most overlooked energy saving tips NZ households can act on is tightening up that garage barrier.

Why this saves energy in NZ homes

Government and EECA guidance is clear: draughts are uncontrolled air movement that make homes cold and damp. Garages are prime culprits. By stopping those leaks, you reduce heat loss to the outside and moisture entering the home, so your heating works faster and costs less.

What to do step-by-step

Start with a quick inspect-and-fix plan you can do in an afternoon.

• Check for gaps: look for daylight around the door and feel for air on windy days.
• Add seals: fit a threshold strip to uneven slabs and side/hood brush seals (bird‑proofing brushes) to close edges.
• Seal the house door: weather‑strip the internal door between garage and hallway; add a door sweep.
• Upgrade if needed: if the door is warped, dented or poorly sized, replace with a snug‑fitting NZ‑made Coloursteel or Zincalume roller door from DoorsNZ.

Costs and typical payback

Sealing is low‑cost and usually pays back within a winter through lower heating use, especially when living spaces adjoin the garage. A well‑sized, modern roller door delivers bigger, lasting gains in warmth, weather‑tightness and security, with savings that accrue every heating season.

Pro tips and common mistakes

• Measure precisely: order to the exact opening; a tight fit beats extra sealant later.
• Mind moisture: fix door leaks and floor puddling; dry garages reduce whole‑home heating load.
• Choose brush seals: they last longer than foam and cope with rough concrete.
• Don’t forget maintenance: keep tracks clean and door balanced so seals meet evenly.

2. Run your heat pump efficiently

Your heat pump is the cheapest way to stay warm — if you run it right. EECA data (via Genesis) shows space heating/cooling takes about a quarter of household electricity, so small tweaks make big dents in winter bills. Among energy saving tips NZ households rate highly, smarter heat pump use is a fast, low-cost win.

Why this saves energy in NZ homes

Unlike bar or fan heaters, a heat pump can deliver several kilowatts of heat for each kilowatt of electricity. The Electricity Authority explains a typical unit can output over 6,000W of heat from about 1,700W of electricity, so it costs much less to run than resistive heaters. Used well — in the right mode, with good settings and clean filters — that efficiency translates directly into lower bills.

What to do step-by-step

Dial in these quick changes for immediate savings and comfort.

• Set 19–21°C and leave it there: steady beats on/off bursts; use the timer to pre-heat 30–60 minutes before you need it.
• Choose HEAT mode (not AUTO): avoid the unit switching to cool and wasting power.
• Heat only used rooms: shut doors and draw curtains before sunset to hold warmth in.
• Clean filters monthly: a clogged indoor filter forces longer run times; keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves and obstructions.
• Aim the louvres downwards: push warm air across the room, not at the ceiling.
• Reduce indoor moisture: drier air heats easier — avoid drying clothes inside.

Costs and typical payback

Most tweaks are free and start saving on your very next bill. If you’re replacing plug-in heaters with a heat pump, the running-cost difference compounds every winter because heat pumps are far more efficient than resistive heaters.

Pro tips and common mistakes

• Don’t crank to max: higher setpoints don’t heat faster, they just overshoot and waste power.
• Avoid short-cycling: frequent on/off kills efficiency; let it run to maintain temperature.
• Skip AUTO fan for heating: once warm, drop to low/medium for quieter, efficient operation.
• Let defrost finish: on frosty mornings, don’t interrupt; keep the outdoor drain clear.
• Match settings to your plan: on time-of-use tariffs, pre-heat off-peak and hold steady through peaks.

3. Stop draughts and keep the heat in with curtains and seals

Stopping cold air sneaking in (and warm air leaking out) is one of the most effective energy saving tips NZ households can act on immediately. Government and EECA guidance call draughts “uncontrolled air movement” — a big reason homes feel cold and damp — while simple curtain upgrades and seals can trap heat you’ve already paid to make.

Why this saves energy in NZ homes

When you block draughts, your heater isn’t constantly fighting fresh cold air, so it reaches temperature faster and cycles less. Closing curtains before sunset and using proper, floor‑length, well‑fitted drapes reduces heat loss through glass. Where budgets allow, thermally broken, non‑conductive double glazing further cuts losses and condensation.

What to do step-by-step

Start with quick wins you can knock off room by room.

• Find the leaks: feel for air on windy days around windows, doors, skirting and letter slots; note where you see daylight.
• Seal external doors: add self‑adhesive weather strips to jambs and a door sweep/brush to the bottom.
• Improve internal door control: shut unused rooms; add simple draught snakes to keep heat where you need it.
• Upgrade curtains: choose double‑layered or lined “thermal” curtains that reach the floor and are wider than the window; close them before the sun sets.
• Improve window performance: fit snug timber or uPVC frames where replacing, and when you do replace windows, choose thermally broken, non‑conductive double glazing.
• Tidy gaps: use appropriate sealant for obvious cracks around architraves and sills (avoid blocking intentional ventilation).

Costs and typical payback

Draught‑stopping tape, door sweeps and basic seals are low‑cost and usually pay back within a winter through reduced heating run‑time. Proper, full‑length lined curtains are mid‑range upgrades that lift comfort immediately. Double glazing is a longer‑term investment that compounds benefits every winter and reduces condensation.

Pro tips and common mistakes

• Curtains to the floor: gaps create a chimney effect that dumps warm air — size them long and wide.
• Add returns: wrap curtains back to the wall to stop warm air escaping around the sides.
• Shut early: close curtains before dusk to “bank” the daytime warmth.
• Don’t seal what should breathe: maintain safe ventilation in kitchens/bathrooms and never block appliance flues.
• Maintain seals: clean tracks and replace flattened foam; brush seals last longer on rough thresholds.

4. Cut hot water costs without going cold

Water heating quietly chews through a big slice of the bill — around 27% of household electricity in NZ — so small changes here deliver outsized savings. The aim isn’t cold showers; it’s smarter use: shorter showers, colder laundry, and correct cylinder settings. Among energy saving tips NZ households can act on today, hot water tweaks are some of the quickest wins.

Why this saves energy in NZ homes

Hot water costs rise with every extra minute under the shower and every hot wash you run. EECA-backed advice shows a 15‑minute shower costs about $1, while a 5‑minute one is roughly 33c — trim time and you bank the difference. Washing clothes in cold water can use up to 10× less energy per load. Keep your cylinder at the right temperature and you prevent waste without risking health.

What to do step-by-step

• Set your cylinder to 60°C: the Ministry of Health recommends 60°C or higher at the cylinder to prevent Legionella.
• Cut shower time to ~5 minutes: use a simple timer; start with a one‑minute reduction this week.
• Fit an efficient showerhead: low‑flow models keep pressure but cut litres heated.
• Wash laundry cold: modern detergents clean well in cold; save hot for heavily soiled loads.
• Run dishwashers full on eco: scrape, don’t pre‑rinse hot; use off‑peak if you’re on a time‑of‑use plan.
• Fix dripping hot taps fast: leaks waste heated water and money.

Costs and typical payback

Most actions are free and start saving on your next bill. Shortening showers alone can save ~67c per shower (15 min vs 5 min). A low‑flow showerhead is a small one‑off cost that typically pays back within a winter through reduced hot water use.

Pro tips and common mistakes

• Don’t drop the cylinder below 60°C: it saves little and risks bacterial growth.
• Target the biggest users first: teenagers’ showers and daily hot washes move the needle most.
• Stack habits: short showers + cold laundry + full eco dishwasher loads compound savings.
• Check for silent hot leaks: warm cylinder cupboard floors or constant mixer drips are red flags.

5. Keep your home dry so heating costs less

Moisture is a silent bill-booster. Damp air takes more energy to heat, drives condensation on windows and makes rooms feel chilly even at the same thermostat setting. Government guidance highlights that homes with less moisture are easier to heat and healthier, with fewer mould and dust‑mite issues. So, one of the smartest energy saving tips NZ households can act on is to tackle moisture first, then add heat.

Why this saves energy in NZ homes

Draughts and internal moisture work together to sap warmth. The Electricity Authority notes that drying clothes inside can add up to five litres of moisture to the air — moisture your heater must warm and evaporate. By reducing indoor humidity and controlling ventilation, you cut the heating load, reach comfort faster, and keep windows dry.

What to do step-by-step

• Vent bathrooms and kitchens well: run extractor fans when cooking or showering and keep lids on pots to trap steam.
• Avoid drying laundry indoors: line‑dry outside or use a vented dryer; if you must dry inside, limit loads and crack a window.
• Fix sources of damp: repair leaks, stop rain tracking in, and seal the garage/weather‑exposed entries.
• Air rooms at the right time: on fine, dry days, open windows briefly midday to purge moisture, then close and heat.
• Manage the garage: keep the floor dry and door well‑sealed so cold, damp air doesn’t track into living spaces.
• Keep surfaces warm: shut curtains before sunset to reduce overnight window condensation.

Costs and typical payback

Most actions are free and start saving immediately by reducing how long heaters need to run. Skipping indoor clothes‑drying is especially powerful; it may even be more cost‑effective to run the dryer for a short time than to load rooms with moisture you’ll pay to heat.

Pro tips and common mistakes

• Run fans during and after showers/cooking: clear visible steam before switching off.
• Don’t trap damp air: sealing gaps is great, but always preserve safe, controlled ventilation.
• Dry first, then heat: purge moisture daily, then close up and warm the space — it feels warmer at lower settings.
• Check for hidden moisture: persistent window condensation or musty smells point to leaks or poor ventilation that need fixing.

6. Pay less for power: time-of-use plans and smart scheduling

You can cut costs without using less electricity overall by shifting when you use it. Time‑of‑use (TOU) plans offer cheaper — sometimes even free — off‑peak power, so scheduling flexible loads can deliver big savings. Among the most overlooked energy saving tips NZ households can act on, this one’s a bill‑cutter with minimal effort.

Why this saves energy in NZ homes

The Electricity Authority notes TOU plans suit households able to shift usage to off‑peak. Running hot‑water cylinders, EV charging, dishwashers and laundry when prices drop can mean significant savings; around 70% of EV owners already charge overnight to save. If your routine is fixed across peak times, a flat rate may still be better.

What to do step-by-step

Start by confirming you have a smart meter and can access TOU pricing, then map your “shiftable” loads.

• Compare plans: review TOU offers and estimated off‑peak rates before switching.
• Identify flexible loads: EV charging, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, hot‑water cylinder control, pool/spa pumps.
• Schedule smartly: use delay‑start, appliance timers or smart plugs to run off‑peak.
• Pre‑heat efficiently: warm the house off‑peak with your heat pump and hold a steady setpoint.
• Track and tweak: use your retailer’s smart‑meter insights to refine your schedule.

Costs and typical payback

Switching plans is usually free. Basic timers or smart plugs are low‑cost add‑ons. Payback can be immediate if you shift heavy loads (EVs, hot water, laundry) into cheaper off‑peak windows; the more you move, the more you save.

Pro tips and common mistakes

• Know your plan’s clock: confirm exact off‑peak/peak times and rates before scheduling.
• Avoid rebound peaks: don’t switch everything on at once when peak begins or ends.
• Run full loads: combine TOU with eco cycles for dishwashers/washers.
• Measure results: check monthly usage reports and adjust.
• Be realistic: if you can’t shift much (e.g., young kids’ routines), a flat plan may suit better.

Key takeaways

Winter bills fall when you keep heat in, run your heat pump smartly, trim hot water use, keep the house dry, and pay less for power through better timing. Start with the biggest leaks (often the garage), then lock in steady, simple habits you can keep all season.

• Seal the big gaps first: garage, external doors, and window frames.
• Heat pump: HEAT mode, 19–21°C, clean filters, steady run.
• Curtains and seals: floor‑length, lined, closed before dusk.
• Hot water: 5‑minute showers, cold laundry, cylinder at 60°C.
• Dry air: vent steam, avoid indoor drying, fix leaks.
• TOU plans: shift EV, laundry, dishwasher to off‑peak.

Ready to warm up the draughtiest “room” at yours? Measure up and price a snug, NZ‑made roller door or brush seals at DoorsNZ.