4 cost-saving ways to heat your home this winter

The days are getting shorter; it’s getting harder to get out of bed, and the temperature is dropping… yup, winter is coming. Suddenly, the only place you want to be is inside, cosied up with the heating on. Usually, this is the season of sky-high energy bills—but it doesn’t have to be. Here are 4 ways to keep your home cosy, without breaking the bank.

1. Invest in thermal blinds or curtains

Thermal blinds and curtains reduce heat loss significantly, which means you don’t have to run your heater or heat pump as long, saving you a pretty penny in power bills. While there is obviously an initial cost that comes with replacing your blinds or curtains, it’s an investment that will do you well for years to come. You can also stagger the install, focusing on the rooms that you spend the most time in and replacing those first.

2. Only heat the rooms you’re using

There’s no point in heating rooms that you’re not in. Close the doors and focus the heat on the places in your house you’re actually spending time in—that way you won’t be wasting energy or money!

3. Choose your heater wisely

If you’re in the market for a new heater, check the energy star rating before you buy. It’s easy to be sucked in by a bargain, but the cost of running an inefficient heater can far outweigh the initial cost of the product. It’s also important to get the right size heater for the room you’re trying to heat. If it’s too big you’ll waste a lot of power, but if it’s too small, it won’t get the job done. This heating assessment tool is a good place to start to get some guidance on what you need for your home. Genless also compares the cost of running different heaters here.

4. See if you’re eligible for a Warmer Kiwi Homes grant
The Warmer Kiwi Homes programme is a government funded initiative to make homes around New Zealand warmer and healthier. If your home is built before 2008 and doesn’t have a heat pump or insulation, it may be eligible for a grant to cover 80% of ceiling and underfloor insulation, or 80% of the cost of a heat pump. Find out if your home is eligible here.

If you’re living in a chilly house but need a helping hand to make it warmer, we can help with that. We offer personal loans as small as $1,000 with interest rates lower than most credit cards. To see what we can offer you, apply online. You’ll have your answer in 60 seconds* and are under no obligation to follow through with the loan upon approval.

*Initial decision is subject to the Lender’s responsible lending inquiries and credit criteria. Lender’s establishment fees, terms and conditions apply

This blog is provided for general information purposes and is not a recommendation you enter into or exit any particular loans or insurance policy. Information on the website does not consider your particular circumstances, including your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend you seek advice from a financial adviser before taking any action as appropriate. The Lending People Limited (FSP240365) is a licensed financial advice provider and can provide advice on some types of personal loans. Find out more about The Lending People and how we may be able to help you.