Energy Saving Tips

He kupu āwhina kia tiaki pūngao

Keeping your home warm over winter can be a costly exercise.

In September 2020 the Council conducted a Quality of Life Survey and found that 4% of respondents could not heat their home, and an additional 10% said they could heat their home only some of the time. Affordability was the main reason for this (74%), as well as insufficient window glazing, insulation, and heating.  

Quick links

Save money, stay warm

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Tools to help

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Tenants

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Landlords

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Financial assistance

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Solar

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In April 2021, Aurora Energy raised electricity prices. This will see the average household bill rise significantly over the next five years in the Queenstown Lakes district. For more details on price impacts in your area check out this infographic (PDF) from Aurora.  

We have some tips and advice on how you can keep your household energy bill down by improving the energy efficiency in your home. There’s advice for landlords and tenants, including information about the new Healthy Homes Standards.

Keep warm, save money, and live in a healthier home. 

Save money, stay warm

The Gen Less website has lots of practical information, advice, and tools to make your home warm, dry, and healthier. You can find information on choosing an energy efficient appliance, the right heater for your home, and tips on insulation and energy savings.

Eco Design Advisor has information sheets on improving your home’s performance, including insulation, moisture, and condensation.

It helps to shop around when choosing an energy provider. The Consumer Power Switch website helps you find out which energy supplier could provide you with the best service.

Tools to help

HomeFit has an online tool created by the New Zealand Green Building Council to help you assess how warm, dry, and safe your home is.

Tenancy Services has a heating assessment tool to help you calculate the heating requirements for the living room in a rental home. You'll need the measurements of your living room walls, floor, windows, ceiling and any other features to accurately calculate your heating requirements.

Tenants

There are minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties. From 1 July 2021 all rental properties must comply with Healthy Home Standards within 90 days of any new tenancy. From 1 July 2024, all rental homes most comply with the Healthy Home Standards. These links provide information on your rights as a renter, including the new standards, as well as tips on keeping your home warm and dry.

Landlords

As a landlord it is important to know your obligations for heating and insulating rental properties.

From 1 July 2021 all rental properties must comply with Healthy Home Standards within 90 days of any new tenancy. Healthy Homes Standards sets minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught-stopping.

From 1 July 2024, all rental homes most comply with the Healthy Home Standards.

Warmer Kiwi Homes is a government programme that covers 90% of the total cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, and 90% of the cost of an approved heater. Find out if you’re eligible.

Financial assistance

Find out if you are eligible for the government’s Warmer Kiwi Homes insulation and heating package. The programme covers 90% of the total cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, and 90% of the cost of an approved heater.

The Cosy Homes Trust is an Otago charity which offers insulation and heating subsidies. Find out if you meet their criteria.  

Work and Income has a Winter Energy Payment to help with the cost of heating your home over the winter months. You don't need to apply – if you’re eligible, you’ll get the Winter Energy Payment automatically from Work and Income.

If you have extra power, gas or heating costs because of a health condition or disability you can apply for help through Work and Income with the cost of heating your home. What you can get depends on your circumstances, income, and assets.

Solar

Find out if solar may be a good option for you to reduce the amount of power you have to buy from the electricity network. Use these tools to work out the estimated financial return of solar electricity for your house.

This free Consumer article has advice about solar panels.