Energy saving tips

Identifying the appliances that cost you the most is the first step. Next, think about what to do. You can reduce use by turning appliances off at the wall. You can also gradually switch to more efficient models. Energy-efficient light bulbs are an excellent and simple starting point.

Hot tips for energy saving

• If your hot water cylinder is old and feels warm to the touch, buy it an insulating wrap.
• Turn on heated towel rails only when they're needed.
• Switch off the heat-drying part of the dishwasher cycle.
• Check that your washing machine is set to cold washes.
• Hunt down everything that is on standby and turn it off at the wall if you can - especially if it's warm to the touch.
• Fit compact fluorescent bulbs in any room that's frequently used.
• Get rid of the beer fridge, or use it only when really necessary.
• When replacing appliances look for high "star ratings" or Energy Star labels.

Reducing electronics power use

• Turn off when not in use: Put equipment like TVs, amplifiers, speakers, game consoles and DVD or CD players into standby mode when you're not using them. Better still, turn them off at the wall - as our table shows, some devices left on standby still consume a bit of power.
• Enable energy-saving features: Enabling the power-management settings on your computer reduces energy use by putting your computer into a power-saving "sleep mode" after several minutes of inactivity. Both Windows and Mac offer easy to use power-saving features.
• Upgrade your monitor: Bulky CRT monitors can consume more than twice as much power as LCDs. LCD monitors may be more costly up-front but can save you money in the long run. Reducing the brightness of your display also reduces energy usage.
• Sell your old computer: Once your computer becomes obsolete, there are many alternatives to dumping it. Selling old computers on Trade Me can fetch good results, as obsolete hardware may be worth much more than you think. Whether they're working or not, computers and their parts can be of value to others - and can provide you with cash towards your next computer purchase.
  
  Recycling is also becoming an option, with groups such as The Ark taking old computers off your hands. So you don't have to see them added to a landfill.
• Video meetings: Using webcams to conduct virtual meetings instead of travelling to a meeting by car can help reduce fuel consumption. Videoconferencing is effective and simple to set up: it requires just a webcam, instant messaging software and a computer. Many notebook computers also include built-in webcams.

More information

• Energy Star www.energystar.govt.nz
• Energy calculator www.energywise.org.nz

More from consumer.org.nz

• Energy efficient lighting
• Appliance running costs
• Power-saving gadgets
• Home energy advice
• Saving energy

We list running costs (energy use) for most of the large appliances we test, including:

• Dehumidifiers
• Dishwashers
• DVD recorders
• Fridge-freezers
• Heat pumps
• TVs
• Waste disposal units
• Washing machines