I just did a bill on bill comparison between our June energy consumption for last year versus this year. It turns out that we have successfully reduced our actual energy consumption for our motel manager flat by 487 kWh in just one month this winter.
Tag: Cost Reduction
This tag is for ideas that can reduce your costs.
My Biggest Mistake With Solar Panels
Installing solar isn’t all plain sailing. In addition to the complexities of matching energy production to energy use, and the huge amount of math that goes into crunching whether you will or won’t break even, there are other obstacles. This article is about the biggest ‘trap for young players’ that I fell into when installing solar.
Using social media to save on meat
I’m still tossing up the idea of going vegetarian – despite the health benefits and value benefits, and the fact that I’ve done it successfully for a year and a half before, logistically it would be quite difficult. Unfortunately I am part of a family that, while they tolerate my other eco-friendly activities, if I forced them to go even partially vegetarian they would openly mutiny.
Our plan to cut winter heating costs by 67%
I like to think of a motel as one big eternal cost-cutting operation. The way we can afford to pay our staff more is by keeping overheads as low as possible.
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Winter energy consumption planning
Last year, because of the dry winter and its concomitant effect on hydroelectric energy generation, New Zealand burned its way through a significant portion of its coal reserves, resulting in the release of significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. At the household level, because of massive pressure on household winter energy consumption, winter energy bills shot through the roof, leaving families across the country out of pocket if they didn’t plan ahead and budget.
Pros and cons of ebikes for seniors
The other day while I stopping by at a local cafe a gentleman buttonholed me before I got on my bike and asked whether I thought the ebike I was riding would be suitable for a senior. He clarified that a lady he knew had recently suffered dementia and as a result had lost her license. She was 69 years old with no form of transportation.
Why living in Kapiti is great for savers
I recently had a business trip to Wellington during which time my well-honed budgetary instincts went on a temporary absence and I found myself awash with unnecessary expenses that pertained to nothing other than feeding my belly, hyper-caffeinating and socialising.
The Levin Petrol Price Conundrum Calculator
I know that many people in Otaki are currently making the trip each week to Levin to refuel their vehicles because of the cheaper prices that are available up there.
So I’ve created a calculator so people can see for themselves whether the trip is really worth it.
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The brilliance of paying cash for (just about) everything
I’ve recently adopted the habit of paying cash for just about everything in my everyday personal expenses. This came on the back of a conversation with a work colleague who swears by it.
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How ebikes improve accessibility for regional NZ
I live in Otaki – not quite regional enough to be regional, in my view, but certainly no less a town with a distinctive presence and a local culture. Traditionally Otaki has struggled with transportation issues, with many local town roamers unable to manage competing commitments of study and work so far outside of Wellington. In part, this has been remedied by more regular bus routes travelling through the town; but transport is still a major issue, and if it affects Otaki, it will no doubt affect regional areas of New Zealand.
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