We have just passed the first day of winter, which is the signal to take action and ensure that our homes are up to the new Healthy Home Standards. The Healthy Homes Guarantee Act is a policy that aims to increase the quality of rental homes in New Zealand, and the new regulations introduce specific and minimum standards for insulation, heating, moisture, drainage, ventilation and draught stopping for all properties. This month we are looking at heating.
There’s a lot to be said for using the right methods for heating a home. When looking into your heating obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards, consider the effect the heating solution will have on your health and wallet. The Healthy Homes Standards state that heating devices must be fixed to the home and have the ability to heat to at least 18 degrees. Cutting corners won’t be an option here because unhealthy, inefficient and unaffordable models will not be accepted.
Ideal Electrical have some helpful tips to prepare for winter, keeping these standards in mind, starting with timing your usage. A programmable timer is a relatively cheap investment that helps keep heat losses to a minimum. Use the timer to turn heating off during the day when the house is empty; programme it to turn on shortly before you are due home. You can do the same with your heated towel rail.
These shorter winter days mean we’re switching our lights on earlier and keeping them on longer, equating to higher energy costs. If you’ve not already made the switch, consider LED lighting. LED lighting uses 80% less energy and lasts 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lighting.
Create a good habit of regularly checking your appliances to ensure they’re running at optimum. Things like fridge, freezer and oven seals can cause energy leaks when failing while regularly cleaning filters on heating appliances ensure they’re not building up dust, which impairs their efficiency.
Ideal Electrical Suppliers can help you with this preparation for the colder months. They are a market leader in their field, with an extensive nationwide branch network servicing the electrical supply needs of the residential, commercial and industrial sectors, so for more information on electrical supplies please go to https://www.ideal.co.nz .
