Jonny on staying warm on a budget
Published 14 April 2016
Staying warm on a budget
Did you see our Home Energy Assessor, Jonny Parker, on Campbell Live? Jonny had 2 minutes to talk about some pretty important things, so here's a bit more on free and cheap things to make your home warmer and drier.
Windows:
Insulate your windows with a window insulation kit
Line your curtains, or find your local curtain bank
If you don't have a pelmet, use towels on top of curtain rails to stop draughts circulating behind the curtain
If your curtains don't touch the floor, tuck the bottoms onto the window-sill to stop draughts
Heat pumps
Clean the filters on your heat pump
Cut back greenery from around the external unit. The heat pump needs free-flowing air to work well
Doors
Use towels or door snakes to stop draughts around doors
Ventilation
Dry air is easier to heat. Reduce moisture by airing your home every day
Create a cross draught by opening windows on opposite sides of the house
Use extractor fans, and put lids on pots when cooking
Insulation
Do a ‘hand-span’ test. Insulation should be thicker than a hand-span to work properly.
Check if you are eligible for subsidised insulation (tenants/landlords, and homeowners)
Other free services
If you live in Wellington or Upper Hutt, you can get a free 2 hour home energy assessment
Drop into our EcoCentre and showroom to get face to face advice, and check out different products
Have your insulation assessed. Subsidies up to 80% are available at the moment
And a few other things...
Don’t use unflued gas heaters - they emit high levels of moisture, and carbon monoxide - a poison
Only heat the room you’re in
Block an unused fireplace with scrunched-up newspapers