Four Innovative Ways to Slash Your Power Bill in New Zealand: An Electrician’s Perspective

Electricity prices in New Zealand seem to be constantly on the rise, and while the usual advice—like turning off lights and using energy-efficient appliances—is helpful, there are some lesser-known but highly effective strategies that could significantly cut down your power bill. As an electrician, I’ve seen first hand how small changes can lead to big savings so here’s my five innovative ways to reduce your energy costs that many Kiwis may not be aware of.

1. Phase Balancing in Your Home

If your home has a three-phase power supply (common in larger properties or rural areas), you might be unknowingly paying more due to unbalanced power distribution. When phases aren’t balanced, certain circuits work harder and consume more electricity than necessary. Assessing your load and redistributing it evenly across phases, improving efficiency and lowering consumption.

2. Invest in a Time-of-Use (TOU) Power Plan & Smart Meter Automation

Many Kiwis don’t realise that they can take advantage of Time-of-Use pricing, where electricity rates fluctuate throughout the day. By automating high-energy tasks—like heating water, charging an EV, or running a heat pump—during off-peak hours (typically overnight or midday), you can enjoy significantly lower rates. Smart home systems and programmable timers can help automate these shifts, so you save without even thinking about it.

3. Thermal Mass Utilisation for Passive Heating & Cooling

Instead of relying solely on heat pumps and electric heaters, use your home’s thermal mass (concrete floors, brick walls, or water tanks) to store and slowly release heat. During the day, allow sunlight to warm these materials by opening curtains or using passive solar design principles. At night, they release stored heat, reducing your reliance on electric heating. For cooling, consider ventilation strategies that release hot air in the evening rather than running air conditioning.

4. Reduce Phantom Load with Smart Plugs & Circuit-Level Monitoring

Many people know about “vampire power” (devices that use electricity even when turned off), but few take full advantage of smart technology to combat it. Installing smart plugs with auto- shutdown features or using circuit-level monitoring systems like Sense or Emporia Vue can show you exactly where phantom loads are occurring. With this data, you can program devices to cut power completely when not in use, saving you hundreds of dollars a year.

Final Thoughts

While traditional energy-saving methods still have their place, these innovative techniques can take your power bill reductions to the next level. Whether you optimise your home’s electrical setup, take advantage of off-peak rates, or rethink how your house stores and uses energy, small adjustments can lead to significant long-term savings. If you’re unsure where to start, an experienced electrician can help assess your home’s energy usage and make tailored recommendations to maximise efficiency.

By being smart with your power use, you’ll not only save money but also contribute to a more sustainable energy future for New Zealand. Give these strategies a go, and you might besurprised at how much you can save!

Written by Redline Electrical & Security