Choosing and using energy efficient appliances

Home appliances are typically a major source of energy consumption in your home so, it pays to use energy efficient appliances to help reduce your power bills. Here are some tips to help you choose energy efficient appliances and use them wisely. Fridges and freezers The running cost of a new fridge and/or freezer over … Continued

Commerce Commission recommends new fuel regulations

The Commerce Commission has released its recommendations aimed at increasing competition in the wholesale fuel market and to reduce fuel prices for consumers. The recommendations come after the Commission’s final market study report was published yesterday. Here’s a breakdown of what the Commission found in the study and what this could mean for consumers. The … Continued

4 surprising ways you might be wasting money on power

That old spare drinks fridge might be wasting more energy than you think. Canstar Blue explains what you can do to conserve energy in your home

Need for speed: How to get the most out of a UFB connection

Amid the ongoing rollout of the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network, broadband speeds are increasingly becoming a consideration for consumers, and in seeking to fully harness the speeds on offer there are a number of factors to keep in mind. With the first stage of the rollout recently complemented, many households around the country will be … Continued

LED rush: Consumers tapping into long-lasting lighting benefits

Sales of incandescent light bulbs have plummeted in recent years, as consumers increasingly turn to more energy-efficient LEDs, according to figures recently released by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). The IRI New Zealand figures show that supermarket sales of incandescent bulbs have almost halved since 2015, dropping from about 4.6 million in the … Continued

Hang Christmas lights without blowing the budget

It’s that time of the year where Christmas music is already blasting through speakers in shops and social media debates kick off on when is too early to put up the Christmas tree. The other big philosophical question around this time of year is “to hang Christmas lights or not to hang Christmas lights?”. And, … Continued

How to cool your home efficiently this summer

For many Kiwis, hot summer days and nights are something to look forward to. But other times the heat – and humidity – can be almost unbearable. Opening windows and doors can let a pleasant draft through the home but it might also let in uninvited guests, in the form of mozzies and flies. Who … Continued

Zero carbon bill: What it means for climate change action

The government’s recently passed zero carbon bill provides a framework via which New Zealand can address climate change challenges going forward – and, among a number of goals, has set a target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050. The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill was passed with bipartisan support, … Continued

Security camera guide: Keeping an eye on your home

Security cameras are arriving to market with an ever-evolving range of features, allowing householders to keep an eye on what is happening both inside and outside of their residence, with the capacity to both record footage and also allow for remote, real-time viewing. Wi-Fi connectivity is a key security camera feature, with cameras typically designed … Continued

The great 5G leap: New services set to be launched

Momentum has been building in recent years towards the launch of 5G mobile networks, with 5G technology set to bring about an age of significantly faster mobile internet, an ever-evolving range of smart, connected devices and a variety of new services. The fifth generation of wireless mobile technology, 5G will build upon the advances of … Continued