Kiwis make sacrifices to pay for power

Kiwis make sacrifices to pay for power

50 per cent of New Zealanders have noticed a rise in their energy bills over the last year

Nearly 60 per cent of New Zealand homes have inadequate ceiling and underfloor insulation

43 per cent believe the weather is getting more extreme in New Zealand
New website offers tips and tricks on how to keep energy bills down
Auckland, January 18, 2016: Nationwide research, conducted by thinkinsulation.co.nz, has found 50 per cent of New Zealanders have noticed a rise in their energy bills in the last year. With the average household spending $2,000 a yeara on energy bills, New Zealanders are making sacrifices to pay them.

The most common sacrifices for Kiwis included essentials such as medical and dental check-ups (45 per cent), unable to afford holidays (48 per cent), bargain hunting (48 per cent) and 58 per cent of respondents cutting back on takeaway food and dining out.

Despite spending more money on energy bills, almost 60 per cent of New Zealanders still feel uncomfortable in their homes during the hottest and coldest months of the year. The average New Zealand household uses up to 63 per cent of its energy to power heating and cooling appliances. Almost 45 per cent of those surveyed have a heat pump in their home and 35 per cent keep it running over night to keep them cool. It doesn’t look like this trend will stop, with almost 50 per cent of respondents saying they think weather is getting more extreme in New Zealand.

Insulation in ceiling, walls and under floors is a cost-effective solution to reduce household energy bills by up to $400b each year. Without adequate levels of insulation, the hot air outside will enter the home and warm up the cool air generated by an air conditioner, wasting the money spent on it. This will be the reverse during the winter months.

However, nearly 60c per cent of New Zealand homes have inadequate ceiling and underfloor insulation and many homes, built before insulation became mandatory in 1978d have no insulation at all.

Commenting, Claire Cunliffe, Marketing Manager at Knauf Insulation New Zealand says: “People who depend on artificial heating and cooling to be comfortable in their home often don’t realise that if they don’t have enough insulation it can mean less efficient use of the appliance and therefore higher energy bills. As a consequence many families are feeling the pinch. Our research showed that rising energy costs have affected one in two New Zealanders, with many compromising their health care by cutting back on visits to the doctor or dentist.

“What many people don’t realise is that insulating your home can improve the comfort of living by helping to keep the home cool in summer and warm in winter, whilst also saving on energy bills.”

Installing insulation is an easily achievable DIY activity, if certain safety steps are taken, head to thinkinsulation.co.nz for helpful DIY tutorial videos. The website is packed with helpful tips and tricks to help Kiwis create a comfortable and energy efficient home. It also offers advice and information on the best insulation options.

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Note to editors:
Research was conducted by Buzz Channel for www.thinkinsulation.co.nz, a new initiative from Knauf Insulation, on a sample of over 400 New Zealanders nationwide in December 2015.
Top energy saving tips

SAVE ON HOT WATER
1. Unless your clothes are exceptionally dirty, change the water temperature to cold on your washing machine. A hot wash uses 90 per cent more electricity than a cold washe.

COMPARE ELECTRICITY SUPPLIERS
2. Compare electricity supplier rates to ensure you are getting the best deal. Determining the best deal for you doesn’t have to be difficult there are websites, which can help you shop around and make comparisons.

INSULATE
3. Insulation is as effective as keeping the heat out, in summer, as it is at keeping the heat in, in winter. On average, households with insulation can save around $400f per year on energy bills. Saving money whilst keeping inside the home comfortable.

TURN OFF APPLIANCES WHEN NOT IN USE
4. Save up to $100g on power bills per year by switching off any unused appliances.

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