Jet's Guide to Gas

How can I efficiently use gas at home?

Turn Your Thermostat Down 

Turning down your thermostat by just a few degrees could save up to 10% on your heating bills. At night or when you are not home, your thermostat could be set even lower for additional savings.

Insulate Your House Correctly

Ensure your house is properly insulated to avoid heat loss in winter. Heat flows naturally from warmer areas to cooler areas, so insulating correctly can prevent the heated warm air in your property escaping outside. Poorly insulated roofs can let the cold in and the expensive heating straight out. Adding insulation can help reduce energy bills.

The main areas that will require insulation are your attic roof and the door to the attic, areas under floors above unheated areas, for example a garage or a basement, and walls of a heated basement or extension.

For older houses with not much insulation on the outside walls, a good trick to keep the heat inside the house is to place heat reflectors behind radiators. You can buy radiator foil, or simply use ordinary kitchen foil with the shiny side facing towards the back of the radiator.

Draw Your Curtains

At night and especially during the winter or when it is cold, drawing your curtains can help retain a considerable amount of heat. Properly fitted curtains can act as great insulation for your windows and reduce heat loss through the glass.

Regularly Service Your Hot Water and Heating System

An old and poorly maintained hot water or heating system will not be as efficient as it could be and you could end up wasting energy and money. Ensure your hot water and heating systems are working correctly before winter sets in. If you have very old appliances, you may benefit from replacing these with more modern, energy-efficient models. The investment will pay off in the long term by cutting your energy costs.

Double Glazing

Double glazing can seem expensive initially but once fitted, can result in great savings on your heating bills. A large amount of heat is lost through your windows and doors. Opting for double-glazed windows can help reduce this.

Efficient Cooking

There are a few easy ways to save energy when cooking. Always use the correct size pan - if you are using a small pan, use a smaller burner. When heating water, use only the amount you need.

The links below offer further advice for using gas efficiently:

www.eeca.govt.nz
www.ess.govt.nz
www.pgdb.co.nz
www.gamanet.org
www.mfe.govt.nz