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As daylight saving ends, with summer soon to be a distant memory and the mercury set to plummet across the country, thousands of homeowners are facing another winter with inadequate heating.
It is estimated up to a third of New Zealanders - more than one million - are living in homes that are too cold, with temperatures lower than the recommended 16C minimum. The World Health Organisation recommends a "comfortable" living temperature of 18C, increasing to 21C for those who are elderly or sick.
Canterbury University lecturer Julie Cupples describes Kiwis' ability to tolerate cold as "quite incredible".
Seeing your breath indoors is a sign that the temperature in the room is below 5C, yet many of us accepted that as a normal winter occurrence, she says.
Rocketing power prices don't help. Consumers Institute chief executive David Russell says the cost of electricity rises by twice the rate of inflation, between 8 and 10 per cent, each year. That's prompting many people to rethink the way they keep warm.
So what are the alternatives to cranking up the thermostat, apart from moving to some sunny isle?
Russell says a woodburner or pellet-burner is the cheapest way to heat the average New Zealand house.
"What you have to take into account is the capital cost. You're going to be up for $1000-plus for a woodburner and then the installation costs of another $1000. A heat pump is more.
"But if you're building or renovating an existing house, then take the opportunity to look for the most economical and efficient heating system.
"Of course in many cases, say if you're living in an apartment block, it's not going to be possible to put in a woodburner. So your lifestyle has a part to play as well."
Firewood can cost from $45 to $100 per cubic metre, depending on the type and where you live. With heavy usage (using the burner at nights and weekends), expect to burn about eight to 10 cubic metres of firewood over a winter.
If you can't afford the outlay for a woodburner, Russell points out that electric heaters are still the best choice for people who rent, or want to keep a small area warm.
A woodburner costs between seven and 10 cents per kilowatt-hour and a heater between 20 and 24 cents. The average house takes 16kW to heat, with most heaters producing just 2kW.
"It can be expensive but it is often the easiest and simplest way to gain direct heat," he says.
To work out what size heater to buy, a simple rule of thumb is to measure the volume of the room (length times width times height, in metres) and divide by 20 to get the kW rating of the heater needed. A room 6m long by 4m wide by 3m high would need 3.6kW of heating.
Heat pumps (around three times more efficient than heaters) are the cheapest all-electric way to heat a house.
However, they are expensive to buy and install, and because most people keep their homes warmer with a heat pump than when using a heater, savings may be minimal.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority suggestions on cutting power bills include installing ceiling and underfloor insulation, hot water wraps, pipe lagging and low-flow showerheads, as well as draught-proofing doors.
It also runs a home grants programme to help fund insulation of older houses, targeted at households on low incomes and people with asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and is developing a scheme which rates a house in a similar way to the star rating given on appliances. An Electricity Commission review into electricity pricing and supply is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
All the info on your heating options
Woodburners
The cheapest way to heat a whole house. Generally, look for a heat output of 10-12kW. Installation requires building consent. Cost: From $1000 plus another $1000 for installation.
Heat Pump
The cheapest all-electric way to heat a home. Heat pumps can bring a room up to a pre-set temperature in 20 to 40 minutes, then maintain it. Units cost $4000-$15,000.
Pellet-burners
Cost around 8c per kilowatt-hour to run. Environmentally sustainable. Installation requires council consent. Cost: From $3500 upwards plus installation.
Electric heaters
The simplest option for heating a single room. Radiant heaters provide quick, direct heat, while fan, oil column and panel heaters offer more widespread warmth. Prices start from $20.
Gas heaters
Unflued gas heaters not recommended for health reasons. Flued gas heaters can be used with LPG cylinders when piped gas is not available. Flued heaters start at around $2000 plus installation.
Central heating
Possibly worth considering to increase the value of your home, but expensive to buy at an average $10,000, and costing around $1600 a year.
For more information:
* www.consumer.org.nz/powerswitch for electricity and gas pricing plans and costs,
* www.eeca.govt.nz for information on Energy Wise grants, and
* www.homeheat.co.nz for a guide to solid fuel heaters.
