OHbaby! Forums : POWER BILLS! https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:48:33 +0000 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:55:23 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.05 360 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=16585 <![CDATA[OHbaby! Forums]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Ooh yeah Ginger, I forgot about...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364358&title=power-bills#364358 Author: Maya
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 6:55pm

Ooh yeah Ginger, I forgot about the dehumidifiers, those things are expensive to run!

We're with Mercury. Had a very, very bad experience with Empower (as in no bill for months then a $2k bill ) so stick with Mercury, they're not the cheapest but they are reliable.]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:55:23 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364358&title=power-bills#364358 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : We are with Contact Energy Ours...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364314&title=power-bills#364314 Author: kiwigal
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 5:52pm

We are with Contact Energy

Ours vary from month to month but it usually around $190 on a good month and $320 on a bad month this is for 2 adults and 1 child.

]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:52:10 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364314&title=power-bills#364314 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Our highest used to be $120 in...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364310&title=power-bills#364310 Author: Bobbie
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 5:42pm

Our highest used to be $120 in Winter but now thanks to lots of loads of washing, baths for Rowan, being home during the day and those frequent price hikes we are at $118 already!

I suspect by the heart of winter we'll be on $160.]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:42:55 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364310&title=power-bills#364310 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : And here I paid my highest bill...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364301&title=power-bills#364301 Author: SMoody
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 5:35pm

And here I paid my highest bill and thought that was high. $120. In summer it ranges from about 60 to 80 and winter it goes up to about 110.

We dont use the tumble dryer in summer. When I use the oven I bake at the same time. Stews and stuff I just make more and freeze as it generally takes a few hours or so.

We dont have a dishwasher or heated towel rails. I found when we have visitors that they just dont have common sense when it comes to power and then it goes up.

Prime example my MIL has made soup today on the stove and not in the slowcooker and now have it on low heat to keep warm for 2 hours until Grant comes.

Now I would have made the soup and then switched the stove off and then just heat it up in the microwave. ]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:35:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364301&title=power-bills#364301 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : We were with Genesis but I switched...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364133&title=power-bills#364133 Author: nikkitheknitter
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 2:43pm

We were with Genesis but I switched for environmental reasons (though not to the greenest company!) - but I think our bill sits at about $150 for 4 adults and a kid.

I think in Winter it gets up to about $220 - not sure what it'll be this year.]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:43:54 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364133&title=power-bills#364133 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : We are with Contact energy. Both...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364041&title=power-bills#364041 Author: NeoshasMummy
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 1:32pm

We are with Contact energy.

Both myself and Bruce have a shower morning and night and Neosha has a bath at night and a shower in the moring and I bath my dog every other day... maybe our expense is coming from hot water? I also was all my towels and tea towels in hot water. I think for the size of our house power isnt too bad, when we first had Neosha it was winter so we were always running a heater the power got up to $300! Bruce doesnt really care about how much it costs so oh well but i did recently recieve a notice in the mail to say that power had gone up.]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:32:36 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=364041&title=power-bills#364041 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Ours sits around the $150 mark...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363972&title=power-bills#363972 Author: ginger
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 12:20pm

Ours sits around the $150 mark year round pretty much, creeping a bit higher in winter (sometimes up to about $180.00, but not often). Thats for 2 adults and a 4brm house. We have a spa pool and turn that off over winter, so that balances out the drier and dehumidifer.]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:20:03 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363972&title=power-bills#363972 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : AliaDawn wrote:Mike hates water Hmmm,...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363965&title=power-bills#363965 Author: MrsMojo
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 12:14pm

Originally posted by AliaDawn AliaDawn wrote:

Mike hates water


Hmmm, I think I know why Seb doesn't like swimming - like father like son.

Back to the topic....

We're with Contact. If you go to www.consumer.org.nz you can do a quiz to identify which company would charge you less for your power usage and also which power plan you should be on.]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:14:31 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363965&title=power-bills#363965 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : We&#039;re with genesis - WOW...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363925&title=power-bills#363925 Author: AliaDawn
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 11:55am

We're with genesis - WOW at those powerbills... but then we only have a 2bedroom flat here, energy saver bulbs, and Mike hates water, so he's not huge on bathing (it's just a good thing he's not one of those hairy sweaty guys) So he might have a bath every 3 days. Seb about the same, but his are usually only a few inches of water in the bottom. we just clean his face and bum daily I might have a bath every 2 days, our shower head is useless. ummmm only have fridge/freezer, stove, rarely use microwave... use the washing machine a fair bit, 1-2 loads a day. And ummmm... 2 computers running all day pretty much so how is ours so low in comparison???]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:55:05 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363925&title=power-bills#363925 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : What companies are you guys with????...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363876&title=power-bills#363876 Author: Kelpa
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 11:10am

What companies are you guys with????]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:10:10 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363876&title=power-bills#363876 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Just looking at my bill....how...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363875&title=power-bills#363875 Author: Kelpa
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 11:09am

Just looking at my bill....how come there are three charges???

Fixed...24hourly and Daily?
Whats that all about..maybe one of you will know as cant be bothered ringing up and waiting on hold forever....]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:09:29 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363875&title=power-bills#363875 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : LOL Nikki! yeah there is a power...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363871&title=power-bills#363871 Author: aimeejoy
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 11:07am

LOL Nikki! yeah there is a power switch in the hot water cupboard that you turn off when the fire is going so there is no electricity being used to heat it. ]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:07:50 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363871&title=power-bills#363871 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Hmmmm I hate to think what mine...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363868&title=power-bills#363868 Author: Kelpa
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 11:03am

Hmmmm I hate to think what mine would be if did use the dryer!!!!

Power is to expensive....Well so is food and petrol!

Think I need to do some cost savings measures somehow....
]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:03:52 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363868&title=power-bills#363868 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Wow Maya, we wouldnt use anywhere...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363830&title=power-bills#363830 Author: peanut butter
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 10:20am

Wow Maya, we wouldnt use anywhere near that amount of dryer and yet our power bill didnt drop belwo $180 over summer (and summer was HOT.....and no we have no aircon).]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:20:55 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363830&title=power-bills#363830 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Our recent power bill was $118....]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363828&title=power-bills#363828 Author: meow
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 10:18am

Our recent power bill was $118. I thought that was really good, it can get to be over 200 in winter. We have the heatpump this year so I wonder if that will make a difference. Haven't started turning the oil fin heaters on in the bedrooms though, at night (heatpump won't heat the whole house) so once I do that I know it will go up!]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:18:14 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363828&title=power-bills#363828 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Ours is around $130-150 in summer...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363824&title=power-bills#363824 Author: Maya
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 10:12am

Ours is around $130-150 in summer and occasionally creeps up to $200 over winter, altho not often. That's for two adults and three kids. I use the dryer and the dishwasher every day year round, Maya and I shower and Willie and the gremlins bath (separately so 2 baths all up). In the winter we also run a small oil fin thermostat heater in each the girls rooms, and I have an electric blanket. I'm expecting it to jump up a bit when baby arrives as it will be winter and her room is on the chilly side.
I don't make an effort to keep my power bill down tho, selfish I know, but it's the only bill that Willie pays so I actually don't care how much it costs him considering I pay the phone, water, rent... ]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:12:36 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363824&title=power-bills#363824 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Ours is around $130-150 in summer...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363821&title=power-bills#363821 Author: Maya
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 10:12am

Ours is around $130-150 in summer and occasionally creeps up to $200 over winter, altho not often. That's for two adults and three kids. I use the dryer and the dishwasher every day year round, Maya and I shower and Willie and the gremlins bath (separately so 2 baths all up). In the winter we also run a small oil fin thermostat heater in each the girls rooms, and I have an electric blanket. I'm expecting it to jump up a bit when baby arrives as it will be winter and her room is on the chilly side.
I don't make an effort to keep my power bill down tho, selfish I know, but it's the only bill that Willie pays so I actually don't care how much it costs him considering I pay the phone, water, rent... ]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:12:24 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363821&title=power-bills#363821 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Our power is never lower then...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363792&title=power-bills#363792 Author: kasbee
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 9:46am

Our power is never lower then $120 and can get as high as $180 even in summer, 2 adults and 3 children.   
For some reason we have always had high power bills even before we had the kids, must have been the houses we have lived in, they have all been old and not very well insulated except the one we are in now.

Edited by kasbee]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:46:42 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363792&title=power-bills#363792 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Ours is around $200 a month. I...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363773&title=power-bills#363773 Author: peanut butter
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 9:32am

Ours is around $200 a month. I just put the nightstore on so I am dreading how much that will add to it. I think $200/ month is HUGE!

Interesting comment aimee about the wetback. Our last house had one and our power bill didnt come down....but I didnt realise you had to turn something off.

Unfortunately this house is very energy INEFFICIENT! There are so many lights and one switch turns on about half a dozen. 11 halogens in the kitchen!!!! 5 bulbs in half the loving area, 4 in the other. I am undecided whether to swtich to energy saving ones or just to take half the bulbs out.

We dont know how long we are going to be here so its hard to know if the savings are worth the investment, ]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:32:23 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363773&title=power-bills#363773 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Ours is around $100 a month for...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363711&title=power-bills#363711 Author: aimeejoy
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 8:49am

Ours is around $100 a month for 2 adults and 2 kids. Will be less now that winter is here tho as we have a wetback fire so turn off the power to the hot water cylinder. We've just put in a heat transfer thing into Greers room so we dont have to use the oil heater so much (I didnt like the $150 power bill last month!).]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:49:48 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363711&title=power-bills#363711 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Im on smoothpay its pretty good,...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363702&title=power-bills#363702 Author: NeoshasMummy
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 8:42am

Im on smoothpay its pretty good, Our power bills range from $220 - $250 but we are on power and gas. Im figuring we will take a jump up on the power side of things now that there are more lights and two heaters going, two bathrooms Im hoping its not too much though. I have $55 come out via direct debit every week and then what ever is left I just pay at the end of the month. Works for us anyway]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:42:20 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363702&title=power-bills#363702 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Oh hey that sounds like an excellent...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363687&title=power-bills#363687 Author: MissAngel
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 8:19am

Oh hey that sounds like an excellent way to do it! I know mines high cuz I wash my towels and undies in a hot wash, I love to be warm and I have a huge oven that I cook in all the time. (I'm not mentioning the 6 computers that are always on) :P Might have to look into this smoothpay thing.]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:19:07 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363687&title=power-bills#363687 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Our reading last month was $165...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363684&title=power-bills#363684 Author: MrsMojo
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 8:16am

Our reading last month was $165 (for a 24 day period)

This is for our 3 bedroom house (2 adults, one child) and the downstairs bedsit (1 adult). Including 2 water cylinders on the property.

We pay 'smoothpay' so we pay a set amount every fortnight regardless of the season so in summer we pay more than required and in winter we pay less than required and it evens itself out.
]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:16:38 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363684&title=power-bills#363684 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Um.. my powerbill is $170 a month...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363683&title=power-bills#363683 Author: MissAngel
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 8:15am

Um.. my powerbill is $170 a month for me and matt. I thought it was really good.]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:15:14 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363683&title=power-bills#363683 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : we spend under $80 a month on...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363682&title=power-bills#363682 Author: AliaDawn
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 8:15am

we spend under $80 a month on power. Summer usually around $60, winter more up around the $80. We have a pre-pay metre that was already installed in this flat, and I think works out cheaper than usual though. We used to be paying around $100 a month before we moved here. That's for 2 adults 1 toddler.]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:15:08 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363682&title=power-bills#363682 <![CDATA[POWER BILLS! : Crikey...not sure if Power has...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363664&title=power-bills#363664 Author: Kelpa
Subject: 16585
Posted: 23 April 2008 at 7:58am

Crikey...not sure if Power has gone up or what but since we moved and I changed from Mercury back to Trustpower our bills have been huge despite all the discounts etc.

Just curious to see what other people pay a month?
Our seem to be around $180 - 200......For 2 Adults 2 Kids....

Terrible
]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:58:17 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16585&PID=363664&title=power-bills#363664