10 Smart Ways to Save Money on Your Power Bill This Winter

Winter can be tough on your wallet, especially when your power bill starts to climb. Our team at East Coast Plumbing and Gas know how important it is to keep your home warm and your family comfortable – without breaking the bank. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 easy and practical ways you can save money on your power bill this Winter.

Some of these tips are quick fixes, while others involve small upgrades that can lead to big savings. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Switch to a Hot Water Heat Pump

Heating water accounts for a big portion of your power bill – sometimes up to 30%. One of the smartest upgrades you can make is switching from a traditional electric hot water cylinder to a hot water heat pump. For example upgrading to a Rinnai HydraHeat hot water heat pump could save you up to 75% off your hot water heating bill*.

Hot water heat pumps use much less electricity than standard water heaters, which means big savings over time. East Coast Plumbing and Gas can help you choose the right hot water system for your Hawke’s Bay home and install it. It does require upfront investment but with lower energy bills, it should pay for itself over time.

*When a comparison calculation is made to a 250L standard electric hot water cylinder when heating water from 19°C to 55 °C.

2. Seal Up Draughts

Cold air sneaking in through gaps and cracks can make your home feel colder and force your heater to work harder. That means more power and higher bills.

Check for draughts around windows, doors, and even skirting boards. Use weather stripping, door snakes, or sealant to plug up the gaps. It’s cheap, easy to do yourself, and makes a big difference.

3. Adjust Your Hot Water Temperature

It’s not uncommon for hot water systems to be set higher than they need to be. You can lower your hot water temperature to around 60°C at the cylinder (to prevent bacteria) and about 50°C at the tap for safety and savings.

Not only is this safer for kids and elderly family members, but it also means your water heater won’t have to work as hard—saving you energy and money.

Want to find out more about controlling the temperature of your shower or taps? Contact our team today and we can help you customise the right solution for your home.

4. Use a Timer on Your Heat Pump or Heater

It’s easy to forget and leave your heater running all day or overnight, especially during Winter. That’s where a timer comes in handy.

Set your heat pump or electric heater to turn on just before you wake up or get home from work, and turn off when you don’t need it. This way, your home stays comfortable without wasting energy when no one’s around.

5. Insulate Your Home Properly

Insulation keeps the warm air in and the cold air out. If your ceiling or underfloor isn’t insulated properly, you could be losing a lot of heat – and money.

We recommend checking your insulation levels and topping them up if needed. Government subsidies may be available for insulation upgrades, depending on your location and income level. Better insulation means your home stays warmer with less heating, and that saves you money every month.

6. Only Heat the Rooms You’re Using

You don’t need to heat the whole house—just the spaces you’re actually using. Close doors to rooms you’re not using to keep the heat where it’s needed.

If you have a heat pump, use the directional vanes to blow warm air only where you want it. Gas fires and heat pumps can be a good option for heating small, enclosed spaces efficiently.

Central heating can be programmed in zones so you’re only heating the areas of the house you use. That makes it easier to keep your bedrooms and bathrooms at optimum temperatures when you’re using them and heat your living areas as needed.

7. Get Your Hot Water System Serviced

A poorly maintained water heater can cost you more in power than it should. Over time, sediment builds up inside the cylinder, making it work harder to heat water. Continuous flow heaters also need to be maintained regularly for optimum energy efficiency.

We recommend having your hot water system checked and serviced regularly. A simple flush or valve replacement can improve efficiency and save you money.

Is your hot water system maintenance overdue? Call East Coast Plumbing and Gas today for quick and affordable hot water servicing.

8. Switch to LED Bulbs and turn off lights

Lighting isn’t a huge part of your power bill, but every bit helps. If you haven’t already, switch out old incandescent or halogen bulbs for energy-efficient LED bulbs. They use up to 80% less power and last much longer. It’s also a good idea to get your whole family into the habit of turning off lights when you leave a room.

9. Dry Clothes Wisely

During winter, it’s tempting to use the dryer every day – but a tumble dryer can be one of the most energy-hungry appliances in your home.

If possible, dry clothes indoors on a drying rack in a warm, ventilated room. Better yet, use the heat from your heater or heat pump to dry clothes at the same time. If you must use a dryer, make sure the lint filter is clean and check the manufacturer’s instructions for the most efficient way to use it.

10. Upgrade to an efficient showerhead

A long hot shower feels great in Winter, but it also uses a lot of hot water and that can quickly add up in cost.

Switching to a low-flow, efficient showerhead can cut your hot water use in half without affecting pressure or comfort. That means less power needed to heat your water and more savings for you.

If you’re interested in optimising your hot water usage – call East Coast Plumbing and Gas today. We can give your whole hot water heating system a health check and suggest ways to minimise the cost of energy while maximising its output this Winter.

You don’t need to sacrifice comfort to save on your Winter power bill. With a few simple changes and smart upgrades, you can stay warm and save money at the same time.

If you’re interested in more ways to warm up your home this Winter – take a closer look at our blog Renovate for a warmer home.

If you’re thinking about upgrading to a hot water heat pump, need your system serviced, or want help with any plumbing or heating upgrades, East Coast Plumbing and Gas is here to help. Our licensed plumbers and gas fitters are experienced, friendly, and committed to helping you save money while keeping your home running smoothly.

Colin Hague

Prompt and friendly service

Shani Ehlers

Top notch!

Pip Thompson

East Coast Plumbing are a pleasure to deal with. I’ve used them a several times and every time they exceed my expectations. Erin in the office always communicates well and the tradies are always polite and thorough. Special mention to Ben. An exceptionally nice guy and very professional. He was also sweet to my little dogs. Highly recommend East Coast Plumbing should you need any work done.

Priya Madhyodi

Awesome.

Stanley Codlin

Great people to deal with

Dr Anna Reeves

After another plumbing company did a no-show at my place last Friday, I phoned East Coast Plumbing and Gas. The friendly and efficient admin staff organised someone for me first-thing Monday morning. Corey showed up bang on time, and quickly fixed two broken taps and a leaky toilet with the minimum of fuss. Much appreciated; would use again.

Marlene Hura

Thank you Erin of East Coast Plumbing and Gas for responding so quickly to our problem. Our overflow pipe on the roof continued leaking profusely and we had no hot water since Sunday. I tried other plumbers but the earliest I could get was on Thursday. I emailed a job request Monday night and early Tuesday morning I received a call and was sent a plumber just after lunch. Repair completed in no time. I highly recommend East Coast Plumbing and Gas to anyone who finds themselves in need of a good plumber. A+ service.

Graham Shuker

Great service and communication. Sean did an excellent job and it’s good to have confidence in dealing with a company that takes pride in their work and does things properly.

Kevin Mawson

I had my food cart gas repaired