Reducing your Power Bill

It is always easy to talk about something that you are passionate about.  Well yesterday I discovered another passion of mine – helping people save money on their power bills.

I was approached by the Hastings District Libraries to arrange for someone to give a public talk on how people can save money on their power bills. At first I thought – who can I contact to give such a talk here in Hastings, and as I discussed it further with my colleagues it became apparent that I was best suited to the role.

So I shared my knowledge on the things that we do in our home to reduce our power bill and also printed off some brochures from the EECA energywise website to share with others at my talks.
The easiest thing to do is to start switching things off at the wall when they are not being used, e.g. TV, Stereo, Laptop and mobile phone chargers, microwave etc.

Did you know that almost 60% of your power bill goes on heating your home and hot water?

And then there are things that you can do with a little investment to stop heat escaping from your home; hang thermal backed curtains over windows (and close them at dusk), stop draughts from coming in under doors, put a cylinder wrap around your hot water cylinder & pipes and investigate getting your ceiling and floor insulated through the “Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart” grants.
For more information, check out the energywise website.

Battery Recycling Options

So many electronic devices use them but what are we supposed to do with them when they are past their best?

Batteries - An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. (Wikipedia.org)

Because there are so many batteries being used each year we have installed new battery recycling stations. It all stated just before Christmas when I received a call from an older gentleman who was constantly having to replace his hearing aid batteries.

Up until now the only disposal option has been in your general rubbish or through the HazMobile collection for household hazardous waste held in November each year.

We have begun battery disposal trials at three sites; Hastings District Council Customer Service Centre, Henderson Road Recycling Depot and the Hawke’s Bay Environment Centre. The receptacles are small wheelie bins with a hole drilled in the top that allows for batteries up to size “D”.

Once collected the batteries are sorted into two types, recyclable (Ni-CD, Ni-MH and Lithium) and disposable. The usable batteries are sent away to be recycled and the others are encased in concrete before being buried in the landfill. Unfortunately this is the only option for them here in NZ.

So spread the word amongst friends, family and neighbours to use this new service.

Winter Vege Gardening

I know the rewards are spread out a bit more when you are growing veges over the winter, but I really wanted to share this photo of my Beetroot with you.  I have a couple of them waiting to be harvested and think I may be eating Beetroot for dinner for the rest of the week.  This isn’t a bad thing, because I went to a nutritionist last week and it was suggested that I eat more Beetroot to help improve my health and immune system.

As you can see from the photo the root on the beet is the height of a teaspoon which I thought was pretty good going considering I don’t give my vege garden much attention.  I am sure the plants are relieved it has rained this past week, as my attempts to water them has been few and far between.  Mainly when I look out the window and notice that they have all gone limp.

I have added a few new winter plants over the past month including my staple of Cabbages and Garlic.  By the way it’s not too late to plant Garlic now, you can plant it up until the end of July.  And I am having more success with my Rocket and Coriander as I have previously tried to grow them both in summer but both have bolted to seed. I may even have enough Rocket to create a Rocket, Feta and Beetroot salad.

I am also having a go at growing some Fennel, I saw the small seedlings at market and couldn’t resist giving it a go, even tho I have never eaten it.  I figure you are never too old to try new things.