Winter energy saving tips
As the nights draw in and the temperature cools, here are ten simple ways to help keep the cold weather at bay and take control of your power bill this winter.
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Keep the doors closed, and the heat in – by shutting doors to unused rooms, you’ll keep central areas of your home warmer for longer. And by encouraging your family or flatmates to spend time together in the same rooms, you’ll have fewer rooms to heat. Win, win!
Close those thermal curtains – did you know a lot of the heat in your home escapes through closed windows? It’s quite literally money going out the window. Be sure to pull those curtains and blinds to help keep your home warm and cosy.
Shop around for a heater – choosing an ideal heater for your home is always a smart choice. Oil heaters are considered best for small rooms and bedrooms. Make sure you choose one with a thermostat and timer and monitor usage carefully to manage your bill.
The bigger the laundry load the better – being smart with your laundry is a great way to save energy. If you do larger loads, you’ll only need to run the washing machine once or twice a week. Take care not to overload your machine though and be sure to check the manufacturer recommendations as to load size!
Stop chilly drafts in their tracks – drafty doors and windows can leak a lot of heat. So seal them up and feel the difference! Door sweeps help seal the space between the bottom of your door and the door frame, and draft stoppers on doors and windows help keep your home toasty and warm.
Check your insulation – a great tip for renovators or new home owners is to check the insulation. Good insulation can be a simple way to save energy and keep more heat in your living spaces. Adding insulation in your attic is a great place to start.
Get the right lights – as the days get shorter, we spend more time indoors with the lights on. By making the switch to efficient bulbs like LEDs, you can use up to 85% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb! Stat from: switchme.co.nz...
Warm your pipes – adding pipe insulation can reduce the amount of heat lost from the pipes in your home. You’ll need less energy to heat your water, and it will stay hotter for longer.
Stop heat escaping up the chimney – there’s nothing better than a cosy fireplace in winter, but an open fireplace can be a way for heat to escape. Be sure to keep your fire sealed when you’re not using it – this will stop heat travelling up and out the chimney.
Unplug and use power boards – many electronics and appliances continue to draw electricity even when powered off. Unplug these energy “vampires” when not in use. It’s easy to forget to turn electronics off when leaving the house or going to bed. Plug items like TVs, computers and screens into a power board to shut off several devices at once.
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Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
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78.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
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21.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
Charities turning away high numbers of volunteer applications
Charities are turning away people wanting to volunteer amidst a flood of interest they say is linked to the high rate of unemployment.
It comes as some businesses receive thousands of applications for paid roles and people look for experience anywhere they can.
The advocacy organisation Volunteering NZ has been tracking the trend. Spokesperson Margaret McLachlan said there has been a considerable rise in applications for volunteer roles across a range of charities.
Many application forms asks people to divulge if they are job hunters.
"Over the last year or so, they are seeing more people coming in who are saying they are in that category. They are looking for work but doing volunteering while that process is taking place."
"As unemployment increases and the cost of living, times are tougher for everybody."
At the same time, she said community organisations supporting social services were busier and needed more helpers.
McLachlan said depending on the organisation, they might want to do a police check, a reference check and an interview.
"In some cases it can be a process to go through and not always, and that can take some time.
"It's actually the same barriers that a person might find in finding a job, can also apply to volunteering. It's not always a easy option."
SPCA had 120 op shops and animal rescue centres across the country in which volunteers worked.
General manager of retail Cathy Crichton said they received about 1300 extra applications for volunteer roles, a 32 percent increase, from June to November 2025, compared to 2024.
"There's definitely a nudge forward which is very exciting and we're very grateful."
But it meant they were not accepting any more volunteers in some areas.
"Because the applications are up it's a unique scenario. But at this point in time, in smaller locations, we've actually got a hold in 19 locations in New Zealand where we are at capacity - and that's very rare and it's a very new trend."
Crichton said anyone seeking volunteer work should think creatively about what skills they can offer - it could be in administration or marketing.
"We'd love to welcome as many people as we could because the more hands on deck the more we can do and the more we can contribute to the community."
She said people were self-motivated to apply for volunteer work.
The unemployment rate rose to 5.3 percent in the September quarter, meaning 160,000 people were jobless. The next quarterly figures are out in February.
"There's a willingness to give back and contribute to the community. Unemployment being high really does encourage people to engage with the workforce and get experience," Crichton said.
"It really is about staying connected with the community and meeting others."
She said they had also seen an increase in young people seeking volunteer work experience.
"It's a great opportunity to get work experience and a reference and there's an appeal there as an employer...I really do think it adds value to a CV."
Stats NZ data showed over half of New Zealanders, 53 percent, volunteered during March 2025 and of those, 27.6 percent volunteered through an organisation and 40.8 percent volunteered directly for another person.
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