Fossil Fuels in NZ: Reduce Your Impact and Power Bill
In New Zealand, we get our electricity from both renewable and non-renewable sources. Renewable energy in New Zealand comes from solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro power. These are considered clean, green forms of energy because they are constantly replenishable Earth resources and don’t cause harm to the environment. However, we get a portion of our electricity from fossil fuels, which are a non-renewable source of energy.
Fossil fuels come from the burning of fossil materials such as coal, oil, and gas. These materials come from deep within the earth, formed over millions of years from the decomposition of plant and animal organic material. When we burn fossil fuels, the heat spins turbines which then generates electricity. However, the burning of fossil fuels is harmful to the environment, as it emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
When we flick the lights on at home, we cannot typically choose where our electricity comes from. It comes from a blend of those renewable sources and fossil fuels. So, you can make a difference to your carbon footprint and lower your power bill by reducing your electricity consumption.
If you want to lower your carbon footprint and save money on your power bill this year, then read on. We have gathered our 5 best tips to save electricity and money!
1. Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances
Did you know that your old fridge, chest freezer or that ancient electric heater may be the item gobbling up all the electricity? Yep! Old appliances are notorious for consuming too much electricity, hiking up your power bill. You can combat this by investing in energy efficient appliances. Jump on PriceMe and compare the prices of the household appliance you want to upgrade, such as your fridge freezer, heater, or washing machine. You can even compare energy star ratings for different models. Be sure to choose one that has a high energy star rating. This means that it will use less energy to do its job, saving you money on your electricity bill in the long run.
2. Swap Light Bulbs
How many old, traditional lightbulbs do you have at home? Did you know that by making the simple switch to LED bulbs, you can make a significant difference to your energy consumption. That’s right. LED light bulbs are far more energy efficient than their counterparts, making them an easy eco-friendly choice and money saver.
3. Choose Cold Water
It takes a lot of energy to heat up water. Where possible, choose to use cold water. For example, you can run your washing machine on cold most of the time. That hot water cycle will increase your electricity bill. Luckily, most modern laundry detergents do a great job of cleaning your clothes on their own and you can save money by choosing to run the machine with cold water. Save the hot water washes for after the flu or cold has gone through your house or when there are stains to remove.
4. Turn Things Off
When you aren’t using devices and appliances, turn them off at the wall. Otherwise, you can become victim to the sneaky and silent vampire power, also known as standby mode. This is the mode that devices and appliances go into when you aren’t using them. A tiny amount of power is still used to make sure that they are ready for you to use. Think of the remote control sensor in your TV, for example. Be sure to turn these products off at the wall when you aren’t using them, especially if you are going away for a holiday or work trip.
5. Clean Appliances
When was the last time you cleaned the filter in your aircon unit? Or cleared out your fridge? The filter in your air conditioner should be cleaned often to allow your unit to pump cool or warm air as efficiently as possible, so that it can use the least amount of energy possible. You should also declutter your fridge and freezer on the regular so that the cold air can circulate and keep your food either cool or frozen without using more electricity than necessary.
Compare Power
One of the best ways to save money on your power bill in 2025 is to compare. With incoming increases in rates across the industry this year, be sure to take advantage of Power Compare to get the best deal for your household before power prices go up. You don’t want to wind up paying for more when you could find cheaper prices! Jump on our comparison platform, enter your address, and select any filters that apply, and we will show you all the power plans and best power providers available to you. Then, you can compare all the options side-by-side and make a fully informed choice and unlock savings. There are so many benefits to comparing your power bill, especially saving money!
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