Winter energy expo stars: Kiso Eti, Anne Terry, Desiree McKenzie and Robert Hirini offered their support at last Thursday’s event. Photo Sigrid Christiansen
Don’t use the washing machine and the vacuum cleaner at the same time, and do air your house for 10 minutes daily: little changes like these can make a big difference to power bills.
That was the message in a Te Kūiti community winter energy presentation last Thursday, organised by The Lines Company at the Les Munro Centre.
TLC community engagement manager Anne Terry hoped to offer “really good tools” and “practical tips.”
The “relaxed” event was designed to cater for all.
Youngsters who might be new to managing household power use would learn a wide range of new skills.
Older people with a lifetime of frugality behind them could share their knowledge with others, as well as learning something new themselves.
When it came to heating costs, humidity control was especially important, Anne said.
“If the home is too damp, then it’s harder to heat.
“Then you use more energy to heat the home, and it also creates more mould.
“To help mitigate that, don’t dry loads of washing in the house, don’t hang them on the air frame.
“Or find different ways to take as much moisture as possible out of it before you might do things like that.”
On cool days, washing might not dry completely outside. But it was still worth hanging it out before finishing the process in the house.
Anne also recommended airing the house for at least 10 minutes a day, with all doors and windows open. Cross ventilation made “quite a difference.”
All participants were given a hygrometer, an easy-to-use device that would allow them to measure their home’s humidity level.
Desiree McKenzie, coordinator at Te Kūiti Community house trust, was among the community figures present.
She said power costs played a “huge” role in overall poverty.
Her top tip involved spacing out the use of appliances, using only one at a time.
Her own power bill was “really low” as a result.
“Don’t use your washing machine and your dishwasher and vacuum at the same time because that peaks it. So, it’s just about planning your day. And I do my washing after 8.30 at night,” she said.
