Bunnings hacks: Top 4 purchases to make your home more energy efficient

Oh, Bunnings.

More than a mecca for DIY enthusiasts, a reliable go-to for last minute Father’s day gifts and the place to be when you’re hankering for a sausage sizzle, Bunnings also sells a bunch of handy knick-knacks that can help boost the energy efficiency of your home.

Looking for an excuse to take a trip to the hardware store? We’ve got you covered. Here are our top four Bunnings purchases to make your home more energy efficient.

1. Window sealer adhesive

There’s not much point in heating up your home if the warm air can just escape back outside. Improving the insulation of your home by sealing your doors and windows is one of the easiest ways to keep your home warm and dry while reducing your heating costs along the way.

If you’re dealing with a heavy draught, you’ll probably be able to feel a slight breeze around your windows and doors. For a more thorough investigation, keep an eye on your curtains for any movement that may be caused by a draught.

Once you’ve identified the draught you’ll need to pick up a window sealer adhesive from Bunnings, which you can apply around your windows and doors to create a tighter seal and prevent draughts.

2. Gas continuous-flow water heater

Water heating accounts for about 30% of the average household’s energy usage, which means that finding ways to be more efficient with your hot water can have a significant impact on your power bill.

One option you might want to consider is a continuous-flow water heater. This type of heater uses a device known as a califont, which burns gas to heat up your water instantly. You can set the exact temperature that you want your hot water to be, which can help you save money on water heating costs. And, unlike a hot water cylinder, continuous-flow water heaters can provide an unlimited supply of hot water (although, for the sake of the environment, we still recommend keeping your showers under five minutes!).

Continuous-flow water heaters don’t come cheap, so it may not make financial sense to purchase one if you already have a hot water cylinder that’s working effectively. However, if you’re renovating or looking to replace your hot water cylinder, a continuous-flow water heater can be a smart choice, particularly if you already have access to piped natural gas or LPG.

3. LED light bulbs

Once confined to traffic lights and digital clock faces, LEDs now provide a super efficient form of lighting for your home.

Traditional incandescent light bulbs work by passing electricity through a small filament, which causes the filament to get so hot that it creates a glowing light. LED light bulbs, on the other hand, generate light when an electrical current passes through a microchip, illuminating the tiny LED light sources. Because LEDs produce almost no heat, they use about 85 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs while still bathing your home in instant bright light.

They also last a lot longer. Whereas incandescent bulbs tend to burn out after about 1,000 hours, LEDs have a massive lifespan of around 15,000 hours. So, while LEDs are more expensive up front, their superior energy efficiency and incredible longevity mean that the long-term savings are absolutely worth the investment.

Bunnings stocks a wide range of LED light bulbs in various shapes, sizes and lumen outputs, including this cheap and cheerful two pack of 5.5w mini bulbs.

4. Humidity and temperature reader

Want to keep your home warm and cosy without spending too much power on heating? A humidity and temperature reader could be the answer to your woes.

You can use the temperature reader to check the humidity, temperature and dew point levels of rooms in your home, which can be super helpful for identifying conditions that could potentially lead to the growth of harmful mould. If you notice anything amiss, it may be time to consider improving your heating system or finding ways to reduce dampness in your home.

Humidity and temperature readers are a breeze to use and can be yours for as little as $39.99.

Save even more on power

Looking for more ways to save on power? Maybe it’s time to make the switch to Pulse Energy, New Zealand’s leading provider of low-cost electricity. Give us a call today on 0800 785 733 or fill out our online enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.