New Zealand could access huge energy savings

27 APRIL 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BY ECONERGY LIMITED

New Zealand could access huge energy savings

This winter, homeowners will be facing ever higher electricity costs. They just keep on going up, and grab ever more of the household budget.

Simple immersion water heaters used in 80% of New Zealand homes have a low initial price but can make up 40% of every electricity bill.

There are better ways. Econergy Limited is the leading New Zealand innovator of domestic heat pump water heaters. These heaters do for hot water what conventional heat pumps have done for space heating, connecting to a standard hot water cylinder.

“Data gathered by EECA in a recent pilot scheme has shown that the average homeowner can save up to 30% on their electricity bills by installing heat pump water heaters to heat their hot water, for many this could be worth $600 per year and the more you use the more you save,” says Econergy Managing Director David Senn.

“This is the single most effective change homeowners can make to reduce their electricity consumption.”

“The EECA pilot scheme incentivised 470 participant households last year to install a heat pump water heater in their homes with a $1000 government grant. The pilot scheme demonstrated that a little support can go a long way and that homeowners are willing to invest in green technology.” says Senn.

“It makes sense for Government to encourage more support from householders. Consumer NZ has calculated that if a 300% efficient water heat pump were installed in 1,000,000 homes would save nearly 2000GWh a year or about the electricity used by 225,500 homes. This lowers demand for increased generation, improves the longevity of the electricity distribution system, reduces peak load demand, reduces our carbon footprint and is generally a green response to electricity use.”

“Participating homeowners have benefited greatly due to the Governments Warm-up New Zealand insulation and clean heating initiative. Let’s hope this budget 2010 builds on this success to access the savings available from efficient water heating.”

ENDS

For more information visit: www.consumer.org.nz www.econergy.co.nz

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