Environment Network Manawatu Working Together
Home
About ENM
Groups in ENM
Events Calendar
Projects by ENM
Related Projects
Sustainable action
Ideas to Act On
Have your say
Ecotips
Save power
Sustainable Living Every Day
Environmental information
Lots of Links
Reel Earth
Competitions
Search
Site Map
Contact us

Young Heart Easy Living MANAWATU

You are here: > Sustainable action > Save power

Save Power

We proved in 2008 that we can reduce our power consumption - we just need to keep on improving. Instead of having power providers continue to source the neverending need for supply let's change the level of demand. Save our earth.

Windfarm at the top of the Tararua Ranges near Palmerston NorthSave yourself some money too!  Only use what you need

The simplest and cheapest way to save energy is to turn off at the wall or unplug anything that doesn't need to be switched on.

Don't let the heat escape

If you haven't had your house built to make the most of the sun's natural heating energy then try these:

  1. Draw the curtains before dark, shut doors and windows.
  2. Only heat and light the rooms you are in.
  3. Block chimneys and draughts around doors - use a door snake.
  4. Trim trees that are blocking the sun's heat reaching inside the house during the day.

Reduce heating costs

  1. Put on a jumper before you turn the heater on or up.
  2. If natural light is enough then leave or turn the lights off.
  3. Capture as much sun as possible- keep windows clean and make sure trees don't obstruct the sun too much.
  4. Open internal doors of any rooms which get more sun than the others and let the warm air travel through your home.
  5. Keep heaters away from windows so they heat the room more effectively.
  6. Keep furniture away from radiators - the foam in an upholstered chair is a very effective insulator.
  7. Use the thermostat and timer on your heaters. Fill gaps under the skirting board and between floorboards with newspaper or sealant.
  8. Put aluminium foil behind any radiators fitted to outside walls
  9. Put an extra blanket on the bed instead of using your electric blanket.
  10. Study at the library and save your heater.
  11. Put a rug over your knees when sitting at the computer.

Reduce electricity use with your fridge, cooking and lights

  1. Take all of the food for a meal out at once and shut the doors straight away.
  2. Avoid placing your fridge or freezer next to your oven or stove or in direct sunlight.
  3. Regularly defrost your freezer and try to keep it packed full, even if this is scrunched up paper, to avoid wasting energy.
  4. Let food cool down before putting it in the fridge or freezer
  5. Each time you open the oven door the temperature drops by up to 15 degrees Celcius.
  6. Use your oven to cook several things at once.
  7. Hold pot lucks each week and cook together.
  8. Keep lids on the pots when you are cooking and make sure the lids fit well.
  9. Toasters, microwaves and kettles are less power hungry than the stove.
  10. Use energy efficient light bulbs wherever you can - they use 75% less energy than normal light bulbs and last 8 times longer.
  11. Use the smallest sized light bulb for the job.
  12. Watch TV together instead of in separate rooms.



Search SiteSearch Site

Whats Hot!What's Hot!

Link of the Week Forest & Bird

 Conserve Power and Water Always

Home Energy Advice Centre

The  Home Energy Advice Centre is an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Community Network and is operated by the Sustainability Trust with funding from the Sustainable Management Fund and Wellington City Council.

NZ-Australian Environmental News
EcoVoice

Urban Care invites us to Keep Palmy Beautiful

 


Did you know?Did you know?
Showers are cheaper to run than baths, and a low-flow shower head will save further.
more eco-tips

Email this page


.::powered by: WebDirector