There are several actions that consumers can take to improve energy efficiency and to help minimise any increase in electricity usage.

Check your power plan: Did you know consumers who regularly check their power prices may save between $300 and $400 a year simply by changing to a cheaper plan? The Powerswitch website has a useful price plan comparison tool that consumers can use, all you need to do is answer a few simple questions to see what plan is best and to potentially save yourself some money. 

Keep warm, dry air in and cold, damp air out: Dry air is easier to heat, so crack your windows throughout the day to release stale, damp air. Block up draughts in doors and windows, and close curtains as soon as the sun goes down to retain the warm air inside your home. 

Insulation: Insulation is the key to keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Homes lose a lot of heat if not well insulated which in turn costs more to heat. Head to Warmer Kiwi Homes to check your eligibility for a grant. 

Cooling: In summer, draw curtains to block out the heat from the sun, and open windows and doors to cool the house down. Cooling the room with a fan is more energy efficient than an air conditioning unit. 

Reduce hot water usage: Heating water can comprise a third of household power usage. Reduce your hot water by having short showers (setting a timer can be useful), use cold water washes in the laundry, and fix any dripping hot taps. 

Hot water load control: Did you know we set a lower price for the electric load that is connected to our load control system? This includes hot water cylinders. Talk to your electrician about connecting your load to our lower-controlled electricity price. The load must be exclusively available to MLL for controlling purposes to be eligible for the lower price. 

Light bulbs: Most of the power from incandescent bulbs is consumed as heat. LED bulbs are more expensive, but this is quickly recouped by how much electricity is saved. You will start to save money the sooner you switch to LED light bulbs. 

Appliances: When purchasing new appliances look for high energy star ratings to help you save money. Genless has an Efficient Appliance Calculator to assist you in finding the most energy-efficient appliance. Check seals on fridge/freezer and replace if worn. Turn equipment/appliances off at the wall when not in use, equipment on standby does not use a lot of power, however it all adds up.