Julie, Scott and family

Juliet and Scott could save $887 a year by changing power companies.

Juliet and Scott live in a 1960s home in Wellington with their two children Lauren (5) and Brodie (2). Juliet spends most days at home, working part-time and looking after Brodie.

Contact Energy provides the home’s power and their annual power bill sits at around $4000 (on Contact Energy’s “Anytime (Low User)” plan.

Powerswitch shows that Juliet and Scott are on the second most expensive plan of the 21 plans available to them. The cheapest plan for their household is Meridian Energy’s “Meridian Plus Anytime” plan – they could save a massive $887 per year (or around 20 percent of their current bill) simply by switching. Thanks to Powerswitch, they’re now moving to this much cheaper plan.

Their house meets the criteria for the government’s heating and insulation subsidy but is already well insulated. Scott’s an electrician and he recently bought and installed a heat pump more cheaply than he could through EECA’s Energywise grant (but this wouldn’t be the case for most homeowners).

Using a heat pump instead of electric heaters will save Juliet and Scott hundreds of dollars a year … and their insulation already saves them hundreds more.

More from consumer.org.nz

  • Heat pumps - all you need to know about choosing the right heat pump
  • Insulation - we explain your options and compare products

 

 

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