With winter power bills hitting New Zealanders, it can be a shock to see how much the dropping temperature impacts our energy use. Heating your home makes up around a third of your power use, but the type of heater you're using, and how you use it, can make a big difference.
Find out how using the right kind of heater for your space, and a few simple changes to how you heat your home, can help reduce your heating costs over the winter months.
Heat pumps are best for large spaces
Heat pumps are much cheaper to run than gas heaters, wood burners, or other electric heating options, and are best suited to heating large spaces.
If you don’t already have a heat pump, or you’re looking to replace an older heating system that’s at the end of its life, heat pumps are a smart choice that could save the average household $122 per year.1
Finding the right size
Most portable electric heaters are either 2000W or 2400W, and cost around 70–85c per hour to run on max (this can be less with a thermostat). These are generally large enough to heat a closed-off living area or a large bedroom.
Smaller heaters (1000W or less) are useful for taking the chill off a room but may struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature in colder conditions. They usually cost around 35c per hour to run.
While most plug-in electric heaters cost roughly the same to run because they are all 100% efficient (meaning they turn all of the energy into heat) — selecting the right type and size for the space will help you get better results.
Choose the right heater for the room
Different types of electric heaters perform better for different spaces — depending on the size of the room, and how you use it in there.
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Living areas
If you don’t have a heat pump, large areas can be heated well by a tower heater with a fan to help spread warmth quickly. Other options are large micathermic heaters or radiant bar heaters that give direct warmth in an area of a large room.
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Bedrooms and home offices
Oil column heaters or panel heaters are often the best choice for bedrooms. They're quiet, provide gentle, even warmth, and work well in smaller spaces. Many of them have inbuilt thermostats, which are great for keeping a steady overnight temperature.
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Personal heaters
If your home is difficult to heat, or you’re in a shared living situation, it can be more effective to warm yourself rather than the entire room. A small personal fan heater or radiant bar heater directed towards you can provide quick warmth when needed.
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Thermostats are a no-brainer
Look for a heater with a built-in thermostat which keep your room at a constant temperature, without you having to lift a finger. Thermostats can reduce the energy usage of an electric heater by around 9%, by preventing the room from overheating.2
Using your heater well
One of the simplest ways to reduce heating costs is to focus on the rooms you're actually using. Heating a smaller area means your heater doesn't have to work as hard, making it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Closing doors to unused rooms helps keep warmth where you need it most and can save the average New Zealand household up to $320 a year.3
Digital guide
Stay warm and spend less
Download our digital guide, created in partnership with Consumer NZ, for more simple things you can do to keep in the heat and save on your power bills this year.
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Heating and cooling
Improve comfort and reduce costs with the right heating and cooling options for your home — from heat pumps to electric heaters — and using them wisely with easy, smart tips.