21 SEP 2026
Author: Rachel Shipman
To keep your home warm for less in winter, heat the rooms people are actually using, close curtains before it gets dark, stop avoidable draughts and use efficient heating in a steady, sensible way. Managing moisture, running full laundry loads, using LED lighting and switching off appliances you don’t need can also help.
Winter can make power use feel harder to control, especially when everyone wants to stay warm and comfortable. The good news is you don’t need to do everything at once — a few small changes around heating, moisture and everyday appliances can make your home easier to warm.
Close doors to rooms you’re not using so your heater can focus on the spaces where people are spending time. If your household is spread out across the house, try bringing everyone into one warmer living area for part of the evening. It’s a simple shift, but it can help avoid paying to heat empty rooms.
Open curtains during sunny parts of the day to let warmth in, then close them before it gets dark. Curtains work best when they fit closely around the window, overlap the frame and reach the floor. If your home feels cold soon after sunset, this is one of the easiest habits to make automatic.
Choose a heater that suits the size of the room and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. A thermostat and timer can help you warm the room when you need it, without leaving the heater running longer than necessary.
Keep heaters clear of curtains, bedding, clothing, furniture and anything that could overheat. Plug high load heaters directly into a suitable wall socket, not a multi-box or power board.
If you use a heat pump, choose a comfortable setting around 19–22 degrees rather than pushing it to the maximum. Setting the temperature very high can make the heat pump use more electricity without necessarily warming the room much faster.
Close doors and windows while it’s running, clean filters as recommended by the manufacturer, and turn it off when the room no longer needs heating.
Check around doors and windows for gaps where cold air is getting in. Draught seals and door snakes can be simple fixes for minor gaps.
If you rent and there are unreasonable gaps or holes, raise it with your landlord or property manager. New Zealand’s healthy homes standards include draught stopping, so it’s worth asking about anything that feels beyond a quick household fix.
Damp air can make a home feel colder and harder to heat. Use extractor fans when cooking or showering, wipe condensation from windows and open windows briefly when it’s practical to let moisture out.
Drying wet clothes inside can add moisture to the room. If indoor drying is unavoidable, ventilate the space and avoid drying clothes in living areas where people are trying to stay warm.
Wait until you have a full load without overfilling the machine. Use a cold wash when it suits the fabric, and dry clothes outside when the weather allows.
If you use a dryer, clean the lint filter and avoid running it for small loads that could wait.
Winter means more time with the lights on. LED bulbs use less electricity than standard incandescent bulbs and last longer. Start with the lights you use most often, like the lounge, kitchen, hallway and bedrooms.
Insulating suitable hot water pipes can help reduce heat loss before hot water reaches the tap. If you’re unsure what’s safe to insulate, get advice before working near a hot water cylinder or electrical equipment.
This is one for the “check first” list rather than a rushed weekend job.
Second fridges, heated towel rails and devices on standby can quietly add to electricity use. Start with items you can switch off without affecting food safety, security or essential services. A quick walk around the house at night can help you spot what’s still running without a good reason.
A comfortable setting around 19–22 degrees is a good place to start. Turning the heat pump to its maximum temperature usually uses more electricity and may not warm the room any faster.
Heating, hot water, clothes drying, lighting and appliances that run for long periods can all increase winter electricity use. In many homes, heating and hot water are the biggest things to watch.
Start by keeping warmth in. Close curtains before dark, stop noticeable draughts, close doors to unused rooms and manage moisture from cooking, showers and drying clothes. These habits help your heating work more effectively.
Use curtains well, stop minor draughts without damaging the property, manage moisture and raise maintenance or healthy homes concerns with the landlord or property manager. Ask for the property’s healthy homes compliance information if you haven’t seen it.
Yes. Damp air and wet materials can make a home feel colder and harder to heat. Use extractor fans, ventilate when practical and avoid drying clothes in living areas if you can.
Suggested next step: Want more winter energy saving ideas? Explore Contact’s current energy saving guide for practical ways to keep your home comfortable and use less power. Alternatively, visit ECCA for easy ways to save on your energy bills.
For independent complaint or pricing advice, UDL, Billy & Powerswitch can help.
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