Where do you start if you want to use less energy?
Saving energy doesn’t have to start with solar panels or expensive new equipment. Often, the best place to begin is understanding what you’re already using – and finding the waste.
That was the focus of Mission Zero’s recent Power Talk webinar, with sustainability specialist Marta Karlik-Neale and independent certified home performance advisor Jo Reilly, and funded by Tasman District Council.
Start with an energy stocktake
Think about all the energy your home or business uses – electricity, petrol, diesel and LPG – and where it goes. Heating? Hot water? Lighting? Appliances? Transport?
The Mission Zero Energy Checklist helps you work through these areas, see what you’re already doing well and identify your next steps.
Find the easy wins first
Before buying new technology, make what you already have work better.
Turn off unnecessary lights and equipment. Clean heat-pump filters. Check temperatures and settings. Fix draughts. Use timers. Maintain vehicles. And simply ask: does this actually need to be on?
Get your energy use as efficient as possible before investing in something bigger, such as solar – then you’ll get more value from that investment.
Bring people with you
For businesses, energy-saving ideas only work if your team adopts them.
Rather than introducing more rules, involve people in deciding what to change.
Assign responsibility, use signs and reminders, and celebrate the results when your energy bills start moving in the right direction.
Small actions repeated by a whole team can make a significant difference.
Then think bigger
Once you’ve tackled the easy wins, investigate where larger changes could make sense – LEDs, insulation, efficient appliances, heat pumps, hot-water systems, solar, batteries or electric vehicles.
You don’t need to do everything at once. Pick the opportunities with the greatest potential, understand the costs and savings, and build them into a longer-term plan. Green finance and grants may also help.
Your Power Talk action plan
Keep it simple:
What can you change now?
Choose a few free or inexpensive actions.
What will you investigate?
Identify one or two bigger opportunities.
Who can help?
Connect with experts, suppliers, funders or others who have already done it.
Then watch your energy bills and see what changes.
Need a hand?
Start with the Mission Zero Energy Checklist, or get in touch with Mission Zero for free advice and connections to local expertise.
Start small. Get the basics right. Then build from there.
Meet the speakers
Marta Karlik-Neale – Mission Zero
Marta is a sustainability specialist and Mission Zero trustee who has worked with businesses and councils across New Zealand and overseas to help them achieve sustainability and climate goals. Her focus is on practical ways organisations can reduce emissions, improve resilience and prepare for a changing energy future.
Jo Reilly – Certified Home Performance Advisor
Jo is an independent Certified Home Performance Advisor who offers Healthy Homes advice. Formerly the driving force behind Nelson’s long-running Ecofest sustainable home and garden show, Jo is passionate about helping people create warmer, healthier living and working environments, while reducing energy costs and emissions.
Webinar supported, with our thanks, by:
