Imagine opening your winter power bill and nearly choking on your coffee. $580 for one month! That’s exactly what happened to a Papakura family we helped recently. They’d been adding panel heaters room by room whenever they felt cold, creating an expensive heating nightmare.
We took a staged approach: we installed smart controls that immediately cut their bills by 20%, then installed proper heat pump system. The result? Winter heating costs dropped by 45%, and their whole house was actually warm for the first time in years.
The expensive mistake most people make
Here’s something that might surprise you: keeping your home warm doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Most people heat their homes wrong – blasting heaters when cold, turning them off when bills arrive, then repeating the cycle. It’s like stop-start city driving – you use more energy and get worse results.
A well-designed heating system running properly often uses less power than random heaters being switched on and off constantly.
Why heat pumps are like magic (but better)
Your old heater works one-to-one: one unit of electricity in, one unit of heat out. Heat pumps move heat from outside to inside, delivering three to five units of warmth for every unit of electricity you pay for.
We visited a family in Ellerslie who’d installed a heat pump but were disappointed. “They were running it flat out all day and wondering why their bills hadn’t improved,” explains Chris French, owner of BW Henderson. “Heat pumps aren’t like old heaters – you can’t just crank them up and expect miracles.”
The secret is proper setup: use Heating mode, not Auto. Set a comfortable temperature around 18-21°C and leave it there. Use the timer for occupied periods only, and ensure proper airflow direction.
Technology that thinks for itself
We recently installed a smart ducted system for a busy Beachlands couple. It learns their routine – warming the home office before work, getting the living room ready before day’s end, and optimising bedroom temperatures for sleep.
“The whole system is hidden with just neat vents showing,” says Nick from BW Henderson. “They control everything from their phones, and their energy use dropped 30% immediately.”
The dirty secret that’s costing you money
We got called to a home where the owner was frustrated with their heat pump’s poor performance and high bills.
“When we opened it up, the filters were completely clogged with dust and debris,” recalls Nick. “The poor thing was working twice as hard to push air through those blocked filters.”
We also discovered it was set to Auto mode, which kills efficiency. After cleaning and switching to Heating mode, we showed them quarterly filter maintenance. Simple upkeep that transformed their next power bill.
Getting it right from the start
When heating is done properly, it just works. You don’t think about it, worry about bills, or wear jumpers inside your own home.
If winter power bills make you wince, or you’re cold in your own house, we can help. We assess your whole situation and work out the best solution.
When you call BW Henderson, you’re talking directly to qualified technicians who understand heating systems. We’ll assess your home and show you exactly how to stay warm without breaking the bank. Call us here and we’ll come and give you a free assessment.