Most people assume that saving big on electricity requires expensive home upgrades — solar panels, smart meters, or brand-new appliances. But according to energy experts, there’s one small change you can make every day that could have an outsized impact on your monthly bill.
And the best part? It costs nothing to try.
A shift in timing, not lifestyle
The secret isn’t in buying less or living in the dark — it’s in when you use your most energy-hungry appliances.
In New Zealand, electricity costs vary depending on demand. Peak hours — typically early mornings and evenings — are when most households are cooking, heating, or running appliances. Power is not only more expensive during these periods, but the grid also runs on a higher proportion of fossil fuels to meet the surge.
“If you move just a few of your major power uses outside of peak hours, you can save a surprising amount of money,” says Craig Nolan, an Auckland-based energy consultant.
What counts as peak vs. off-peak?
While the exact times can vary by provider, most follow a similar pattern:
| Time of Day | Rate Type | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 am – 9:00 am | Peak | High breakfast-time demand |
| 9:00 am – 5:00 pm | Off-peak | Lower household use |
| 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Peak | Dinner, heating, laundry spikes |
| 9:00 pm – 6:00 am | Off-peak/night | Cheapest rates, lowest grid strain |
The one-habit challenge
Here’s the habit that’s been saving some households up to 50% on power: delay running high-energy appliances until off-peak hours.
That means:
- Running the washing machine or dryer before bed, or early in the morning.
- Using the dishwasher after 9 pm.
- Charging electric vehicles overnight rather than during the day.
- Pre-heating or cooling rooms just before peak hours begin.
Even shifting two or three of these activities can significantly lower your total kilowatt-hour cost.
Why it works so well
Energy pricing is a bit like plane tickets: when demand is high, prices rise. By avoiding peak hours, you’re paying the lowest rate per unit of electricity. And because appliances like dryers and heaters draw large amounts of power, the savings multiply quickly.
For example:
| Appliance | Power Use per Hour | Peak Cost | Off-Peak Cost | Yearly Saving* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clothes dryer | 3.0 kWh | $0.96 | $0.54 | $77 |
| Dishwasher | 1.2 kWh | $0.38 | $0.22 | $29 |
| EV charger | 7.0 kWh | $2.24 | $1.26 | $358 |
*Based on average NZ rates and three uses per week (dryer/dishwasher) or weekly charging (EV).
An added environmental bonus
By shifting your energy use, you’re not only saving money — you’re also reducing your carbon footprint. Off-peak electricity often comes from cleaner, renewable sources like hydro and wind, whereas peak demand may require coal or gas plants to fire up.
“It’s a rare win-win,” Nolan says. “You save on your bill and help the planet.”
Tips to make it stick
- Use appliance timers — many modern machines have built-in delay settings.
- Check your power provider’s rate chart — off-peak times vary slightly by region.
- Bundle tasks — if you’re using the oven off-peak, cook multiple meals at once.
- Automate charging — set EVs, laptops, and devices to start charging late at night.
Small habit, big payoff
It’s easy to overlook something as simple as the time of day you use electricity, but the savings can be surprisingly large. Households that commit to this routine often see noticeable drops in their first monthly bill — and over a year, the difference can be hundreds of dollars.
If you’ve been looking for a way to save without sacrificing comfort, this might be the easiest place to start.
“We didn’t change what we do,” Helen, a Hamilton homeowner, told us. “We just changed when we do it — and our bill dropped by nearly half.”
