Energy efficiency is just as important in summer

Energy efficiency is just as important in summer

Meridian Energy is urging its customers not to forget the energy efficiency message this summer.

"Everyone knows there's a need to be energy efficient over winter when power demand is at its peak, but summer is also an excellent time to practise energy saving measures," says Alan Seay, spokesperson for Meridian Energy.

The state owned enterprise is giving away over the coming year four energy efficient and environmentally friendly Toyota Prius vehicles, which use a hybrid petrol-electric system.

"As a company committed to renewable energy, we thought it only fitting we should reward some of our customers with the most energy efficient car available in New Zealand," says Alan Seay.

"Energy efficiency is important to Meridian which is why we are also taking this opportunity to give out advice about special energy saving tips for the summer months."

The following are Meridian Energy's top energy savings tips for the summer months:

- Turn your heated towel rail off

- Let your leftover barbecue meats cool before you put them in the fridge

- Summer's a good time to defrost your freezer to keep it running efficiently

- Take the opportunity to throw open your windows, ventilate your home

- Block off your fireplace over the months you won't be using it

- Use your clothesline when it's fine

- Turn the temperature on your hot water cylinder down, it only needs to be 55„aC at the tap

- Make the most of the sun, pull the curtains back and you won't need to switch on the lights, close them at dusk and you'll keep the heat in

- If you're going away, remember to turn-off all your major appliances at the wall, even on standby they use electricity, you can even turn off your hot water cylinder if you are going to be away for more than two weeks

- Fix those leaky taps! Each dripping hot tap can cost $2 each month

- Install energy efficient bulbs as a summer project

"As a country, we need to make sure we use electricity wisely all year round - not just in winter. Energy efficiency is a vital part of the answer to New Zealand's electricity supply and demand equation," concludes Alan Seay.

More advice on energy efficiency is available on Meridian Energy's website:

http://www.meridianenergy.co.nz

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