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susanlin
I Like It Here
Joined: 15 Feb 2004
Posts: 72
Location: Christchurch
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Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:02 pm Post subject: Cost of power in NZ |
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Hi
Have just had my first power bill for my new home and it is $255 (month). Just wondered if this is an average amt for power in the winter? 4 person family, have 4 bed house, all the usual electric applicances, a couple of oil filled heaters for kids rooms and one heatpump. Would be interested to know how much your power bills are.
Sue |
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karltsmith
Moderator
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Posts: 570
Location: North Shore, Auckland since March 2004
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Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Sue,
I reckon we are using about $200/month, family of 4, a washing machine that goes 3 times a day, a tumble drier, elec cooker, 3 oil heaters, 1 fan heater, usual lighting and a rental thats not very well insulated.
We hope to improve on this when we buy! We have found a house to be sold at auction thats 30 yrs old and have no idea if it's well insulated! 
We may build new and have all the things that kiwi homes currently lack....like central heating (or heat pump), double glazing, AIR BRICKS to avoid condensation etc. I've not been into a Kiwi house yet that breathes well hence many have aweful....or is that AWESOME....condensation problems! 
Anyway $250/month doesn't sound too bad for ChCh in winter! You could always pop around to JCM's to check out his wonderful underfloor heating and discuss heating bills....I'm sure the long winter evening would simply fly by!  |
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ENZ
Site Administrator
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 1001
Location: New Zealand
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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Hope this helps Susan....
1. The Annual electricity bill for households with one or two persons, no-one home during weekdays, using standard electric heaters and electricity to heat water.
Christchurch $1,176 - $1,194
Wellington $1,100 - $1,127
Dunedin $1,040 - $1,175
Auckland $831 - $914
2. The Annual electricity bill for households with five or more persons, someone home during weekdays, using standard electric heaters and electricity to heat water.
Christchurch $2,443 - $2,564
Wellington $2,226 - $2,240
Dunedin $2,150 - $2,381
Auckland $1,768 - $1,863
http://www.emigratenz.org/community/viewtopic.php?t=191 |
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goldwheels
I'll Hang Around A Little
Joined: 17 Nov 2003
Posts: 46
Location: Living it up in South Canterbury
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:12 am Post subject: |
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Hi ENZ
How come you have Dunedin cheaper than Christchurch or Wellington? We found Dunedin to be quite cold compared to Christchurch when we moved from Dunedin in March.
Our last bill was for $185/m for a 4 bed brick house, and family of 4. I had a duck fit, but seeing the other bills as above I don't feel so bad now.
We have two heat pumps at present down stairs, and planning to fit a third upstairs. Its the best thing I have invested into the house since we have had it. Also we are thinking about putting solar heating in for the water as 30% of your power bill is just for heating water. |
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richsadams
Electronics Guru
Joined: 19 Dec 2003
Posts: 156
Location: Formerly the U.S. now in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand!
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 5:33 pm Post subject: Electric Bills |
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Hi Gold and All 
Goldwheels wrote:
| Quote: | | We have two heat pumps at present down stairs, and planning to fit a third upstairs. Its the best thing I have invested into the house since we have had it. Also we are thinking about putting solar heating in for the water as 30% of your power bill is just for heating water |
Can you give some quick recommendations about heat pumps and/or solar? We're buying a 15 year-old home near Tauranga and might want to go down that road too. It's not as cold as where you are, but it can get frosty non-the-less.
Any guidance, pricing, websites, etc. would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance.  |
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ENZ
Site Administrator
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 1001
Location: New Zealand
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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| goldwheels wrote: | Hi ENZ
How come you have Dunedin cheaper than Christchurch or Wellington? We found Dunedin to be quite cold compared to Christchurch when we moved from Dunedin in March. |
Hi goldwheels, Dunedin people were using more power but getting it cheaper than people in Chch or Wellington. |
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richsadams
Electronics Guru
Joined: 19 Dec 2003
Posts: 156
Location: Formerly the U.S. now in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand!
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 6:36 pm Post subject: Utility Bills |
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Hi All
When figuring out utilities, keep in mind many/most people we know here (including ourselves) use wood-bruning stoves to heat the main part of the home duirng the colder months. So the cost of fire wood needs to be taken into account.
On the birght side, hardly anyone needs A/C during the summer!  |
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ENZ
Site Administrator
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 1001
Location: New Zealand
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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| That's true Rich. The costs above are for people who use only electricity for heating. Using an efficient woodburner should reduce these costs. |
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richsadams
Electronics Guru
Joined: 19 Dec 2003
Posts: 156
Location: Formerly the U.S. now in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand!
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 10:35 pm Post subject: Utility Bills |
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Hi All
The good news is that everyone here seems to be getting much more conscious of their energy use.
As Karl points out, new homes are using (or borrowing) the latest technology and older homes can be retrofitted with high-quality insulation. (Even wrapping a water heater with an insulating blanket can make a big difference.)
Heat exchangers are catching on and solar panels are starting to get hot...pun intended.
Hopefully everyone will do their part before we cut down all of the trees and pollute NZ's beautiful skies.  |
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goldwheels
I'll Hang Around A Little
Joined: 17 Nov 2003
Posts: 46
Location: Living it up in South Canterbury
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Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 7:35 am Post subject: |
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Hi richsadams
Try this web site this is where we got our heat pumps from and they were pretty helpfull www.heatpumpac.co.nz |
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richsadams
Electronics Guru
Joined: 19 Dec 2003
Posts: 156
Location: Formerly the U.S. now in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand!
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Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:31 pm Post subject: Utility Bills |
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Hi Gold!
Thanks very much for the tip! |
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Macs Gold
I'll Hang Around A Little
Joined: 13 Jul 2004
Posts: 30
Location: Under the Southern Cross
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Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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| ENZ wrote: | | goldwheels wrote: | Hi ENZ
How come you have Dunedin cheaper than Christchurch or Wellington? We found Dunedin to be quite cold compared to Christchurch when we moved from Dunedin in March. |
Hi goldwheels, Dunedin people were using more power but getting it cheaper than people in Chch or Wellington. |
Thats the scottish tradition down here, we get all the good bargains. We also don't bathe very much, and I for one reuse my undies for many days!
Goldwheels, why the move to Timaru? (I presume that is where you are)? |
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Lisa.C
I Like It Here
Joined: 03 Jul 2004
Posts: 75
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Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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Hi all,
This site is similar to Which UK, you can compare prices
www.consumer.org.nz
Lisa |
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