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Heating Efficiency
Sun's energy for free:
New house or major renovations? If you're buying a hot water tank and new plumbing, invest in solar water heating as a fuel-saving supplement to electrical or gas-heated water. Solar water heating can meet household needs for much of the year in at least the northern two thirds of NZ. More energy saving tipsTrees &
Wildlife
Get closer to nature:
If you have some garden or yard space available it can meet many needs at once - northern shade for outdoor relaxation, southern shelter for the house in winter, beds to grow favourite veggies or fruit, home for native plants, insects, lizards and birds. Sustainable gardening tipsFuel Economy
Don’t fight a head-wind:
Leave earlier and enjoy the drive more! Limiting your cruising speed on the open road to about 90km per hour, where it is safe to do so, will save 20% on fuel compared to driving close to 110km/hr. More motoring cost-saversLower
Carbon
Emissions
Walk the talk:
Cycling and walking are zero-emission transport modes. Your legs are also light on fuel demand. If your return-trip is less than 3km, consider walking. If less than 8km, consider cycling or bus plus walk. If you have children, find out if your local Council promotes the Walking School Bus (also known as StreetWise Rangers). More on travel optionsShopping
Choices
Reuse a bag:
Instead of using ‘free’ plastic bags at the supermarket (millions of which are thrown away each year), why not get reusable green or hessian bags at the shops, or bring your own canvas bag from home. When you’ve finished unpacking the groceries, just remember to put your bags back in your car (or bike panniers!) ready for next time you shop. Become a critical consumerConserve Water
Why let rain go down the drain?
Create your own rainwater storage by placing a tank under your house’s down-pipe. When it rains, roof-water will flow into your tank first instead of down the drains (until it is full), and you’ll be able to use the store later to water your garden or wash your car. It is also a handy household back-up for toilet flushes in times of short supply, even if not safe drinking quality. More water efficiency ideasBuilding & Renovating
Replace your open fireplace:
If you like seeing a ‘living flame’ in winter-time, select a new glass front low-emission wood-stove and burn it always with lively flames for maximum combustion of dry wood. Alternatively, chose an automatic wood pellet fire or a log-effect gas fire. Keep the heat in your home for longer too, with insulation. House insulation guideComposting
There’s gold in muck:
Turn kitchen and garden waste into valuable compost. A key to success is getting the right proportions of green (high Nitrogen) and brown (high Carbon) ingredients. That means mixing kitchen peelings and grass with twigs, raked leaves or pea-straw. Home Composting GuideOrganic Gardening
Become a soap-o killer!
Avoid toxic chemical pesticides by spraying aphid-affected plants with soapy water, using pure soap and garlic rather than detergent. You can also disorientate and distract the little blighters by using a reflective mulch on the ground around your plants, and encourage natural predators such as hoverflies by planting Phacelia, Buckwheat and Coriander. Organic Gardening TipsHealthy Home
and Reduced Rubbish
