Understanding Utility Costs at Featherstone: What to Expect
Buying a new home comes with the excitement of a fresh start – new appliances, new environment, everything sparkling and efficient. But as any homeowner knows, it also comes with ongoing costs like electricity, water, and other utilities. The great news for future Featherstone (1 Rathgar Road, Henderson, Auckland) residents is that these townhouses are designed with energy efficiency in mind, which should help keep your utility bills manageable. In this article, we’ll break down what you can expect for monthly utility costs living in a Featherstone home, compare it to Auckland averages, and give some tips on how to keep those bills as low as possible. We’ll cover power (electricity), water, and a bit on other utilities like internet, to give you a full picture of the running costs of your new townhouse.
Energy-Efficient Design = Lower Power Bills
One of the biggest contributors to utility costs is electricity – powering your lights, appliances, hot water, and heating. Featherstone townhouses have several design features that will directly benefit your power bill:
High Insulation and Double Glazing: The homes are built to the latest insulation standards (underfloor, in walls, and ceiling) and include double-glazed windows throughout. This means they retain heat in winter and stay cooler in summer. As a result, you’ll use less electricity for heating in winter and less for cooling in summer. Double-glazed windows alone can reduce heat loss (and unwanted heat gain) by up to 30%, which significantly cuts down the energy needed to keep the indoor temperature comfortable.
Efficient Heating/Cooling: Each home comes with at least one heat pump (air conditioner). Heat pumps are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat a home – far more efficient than traditional electric heaters. They can produce 3-4 kilowatts of heating for every 1 kW of electricity used (300-400% efficient). They also double as air conditioners in summer. With insulation and the moderate Auckland climate, you might find you only need to run the heat pump on the coldest nights or the warmest summer afternoons, rather than constantly. This will keep electricity usage moderate.
LED Lighting: All lighting in Featherstone homes is LED, which uses dramatically less electricity than old incandescent or even CFL bulbs. LEDs use about 85% less electricity than incandescent bulbs. In practical terms, leaving an LED light on for 5 hours might cost only a few cents, whereas an old bulb could cost several times that. Lighting typically accounts for around 10-15% of a household’s electricity use; in these homes it should be on the lower end of that because of the LED efficiency.
New Appliances: The included appliances (fridge, washing machine, etc.) are all new and energy-efficient (with good star ratings, as we discussed in the appliances article). Older appliances can be energy hogs – for example, a 10-year-old fridge might use twice the power of a new one. By having new appliances, you’re eliminating a lot of waste. The fridge, washer, dryer, and dishwasher in these homes all meet modern efficiency standards (many likely carry 4-star or higher energy ratings). So your day-to-day use of these (washing clothes, running the dishwasher) will consume less electricity than it would with less efficient models.
So, what power bill can you expect? Of course, it varies by personal usage. But we can look at averages and then adjust for efficiency:
According to Canstar Blue and other sources, the average New Zealand household spends roughly $200 per month on electricity (about $2,400 per year). This is based on an average consumption of around 7,100 kWh per year. Auckland’s average is in that ballpark (Auckland households might be around $180-$200/month depending on area and plan).
However, those averages include many older homes which aren’t as efficient. In a brand-new, well-insulated townhouse like Featherstone, you can reasonably expect to be below the national average for similar occupancy. If a typical older 4-bedroom house in Auckland uses X kWh, you might use significantly less:
Heating: you might save a lot here due to insulation. Perhaps a drafty older home might use a couple thousand kWh in winter just for heaters; you might use half that with a heat pump and better insulation.
Hot water: The hot water system is new and likely well-insulated. If it’s an electric cylinder, it will have good insulation and thermostat control. Efficient water use (and possibly low-flow showerheads) also reduces hot water energy use. Hot water can be ~30% of a power bill. So any improvements here help. If by design there are low-flow showerheads, you’ll heat less water without noticing much difference in your shower experience.
Appliances and lighting: as mentioned, new efficient models throughout.
It’s not unrealistic to think a Featherstone home could shave 15-20% off the power use of an equivalent older home, just by design. If the average is $200/month, perhaps your household might come in at, say, $150-$180/month – but again, usage patterns (how many people, how often you’re home using power) matter.
Let’s consider a scenario: A young family of 3-4 in a 4-bed townhouse:
Using heat pump heating occasionally in winter (say $50/month extra in winter months, but $0 in summer).
Lots of LED lights, but those cost maybe $10/month total if left on frequently.
Hot water on an efficient cylinder might be $50-$60/month.
Appliances like fridge, washing, etc, maybe $40/month combined.
Cooking (electric cooktop/oven) maybe $20/month.
The specifics can vary, but many residents might see power bills in the range of $120 to $180 per month depending on season – lower in summer, higher in winter. Compared to an older home that might swing $150 to $250, that’s a noticeable saving.
Also, you can choose your electricity retailer for the best rates, use tools like Powerswitch to compare plans, and possibly take advantage of off-peak rates or special deals (some companies offer free power off-peak or rewards). So you have control to optimise that further.
Water and Wastewater Costs
In Auckland, water isn’t typically metered in rentals (often included in rent), so first-home buyers might not be used to paying water bills. But in a standalone home, you will get a Watercare bill for water usage and wastewater. How much can you expect?
The average Auckland household water bill is roughly $85-95 per month (this includes water and wastewater charges combined). This assumes an average family usage of around 15-20 cubic meters (15,000-20,000 litres) per month. Watercare charges both for the water you use (around $1.50-$1.80 per 1,000L for water, and similarly for wastewater effectively) plus a fixed service charge (which is about $230 per year, or ~$19 per month, built into that average).
If you are a household of 2, you’d use less (maybe half the average). If you have 4-5 people, you’d be around or slightly above the average usage.
However, Featherstone homes come with water-efficient fixtures and appliances, which can reduce water usage:
Dual-flush toilets that use much less water per flush.
Low-flow showerheads and tap aerators that maintain pressure while using less water. For example, a standard older shower might use 12-15 litres per minute, whereas a modern efficient showerhead might use 9 litres per minute – saving water every shower.
The included washing machine likely has a high WELS rating (water efficiency). A front-loader can use as little as 50 liters per wash, compared to 100L in an old top-loader.
Dishwasher water use is minimal compared to hand-washing, as mentioned (10-15L a load).
All these help ensure you’re not wasting water. So, if an average family was $90/month, you might find your household comes in a bit lower. Possibly $60-$80 per month for a couple, or $80-$100 for a family of four, depending on habits. It’s still wise to budget around the average to be safe, but you have the potential to come under it.
One habit tip: small changes like turning off the tap while brushing teeth, using eco modes on washer/dishwasher, and fixing any dripping tap immediately can save surprising amounts of water over a month (and thus money).
Also note, rainwater: If the development includes any rainwater storage for garden irrigation (not sure if they do, some new builds have rain barrels or tanks), that could offset outdoor water use. Even if not, Auckland’s climate means you might not need to water gardens much except in summer dry spells. The yards are not huge, so you won’t be using thousands of liters on lawns either.
Comparing with Auckland Averages
Let’s sum up a likely monthly utility breakdown for a Featherstone home and compare it to typical Auckland older home:
Electricity: Featherstone efficient home, say ~$160/month on average (this will fluctuate winter vs summer). Typical older standalone home (less insulation, older appliances) might be $200 or more per month. So you could save maybe $40+ monthly due to efficiency. Multiply that and it’s $480+ a year saved, not trivial.
Water/Wastewater: Featherstone home, maybe ~$85/month if a family (less if fewer people). This is about the Auckland average. An older home doesn’t inherently use more water (water use is more about people’s habits), but older toilets and fixtures use more per use. So you might indeed use less than someone in a house with old single-flush toilets that use 11L per flush, etc. The savings might be say $10-$15/month due to efficient fittings. Also, no leaks (new plumbing) – leaks are a big cause of high water bills in older properties. Water is something you control by usage, but the home gives you a head start on efficiency.
Gas: These townhouses likely do not use reticulated gas – it’s probably all electric (cooking and water heating). If by chance they do have gas for hot water or cooking, then you’d have a gas bill. But since no mention of gas, we’ll assume all-electric. That simplifies things to one energy bill (electric).
Internet & Others: Internet isn’t really dependent on the house efficiency, but for completeness, budget perhaps $80-$100 per month for a good unlimited fiber broadband plan in Auckland (fiber is available in Henderson). That’s standard for any home – you might already pay similar for internet now. No difference due to new build except wiring will be new (and there may be fiber ready to go). If you use mobile data only, etc., that differs, but most will get broadband.
Council Rates: Not a utility, but worth noting for first-home budgets – council property rates (which cover rubbish collection, etc.) will apply. For a property of this value (~$1.2M price), expect perhaps $2500-$3500 per year in council rates (rough estimate; Henderson rates in that range). Broken monthly, that’s maybe $200-$300/month. This isn’t a utility bill you pay monthly, but quarterly. Just keep it in mind for ongoing costs. The good thing is new homes often have lower maintenance costs, offsetting some of that.
Body Corporate or similar fees: Likely none here since these are freehold townhouses (not apartments). Possibly a Residents Society if any shared driveway/landscaping, but from indications, not much in the way of communal property. So probably $0 community fees, which is a saving compared to an apartment which might have high body corp fees including building insurance, etc. You’ll just have your own insurance.
Insurance: Again, not a utility, but a monthly cost: Home insurance for a new build might be around $100/month (varies by insurer and coverage). New builds often cheaper to insure (modern materials, lower risk). As first-home buyers, bundling contents insurance too is wise. So consider maybe $120-$150 combined home & contents monthly. This protects you and also is required by lenders.
Now, focusing back on power and water since that’s the core of “utility” costs:
If we combine our estimates:
Power: ~$160
Water: ~$85
So maybe around $245 per month in utility bills for a family in a Featherstone home.
Compare that to an older home scenario:
Power: ~$200
Water: ~$90
Maybe ~$290 per month.
So you could be saving on the order of $40-$50 a month through the efficiencies built into Featherstone. Yearly, that’s $500-$600. It might even be more if the home performs exceptionally well (for example, you hardly need heat because it’s so well insulated – some new townhouses are surprisingly easy to heat).
Tips to Keep Bills Low in Your Featherstone Home
Even with an efficient house, how you use it makes a difference. Here are some tips tailored for these homes:
Use Natural Light and Ventilation: The design has big windows for sunlight. In winter, open curtains on sunny days to let warmth in (passive solar heating) and close them at night to keep heat in. In summer, utilise cross-ventilation (opening windows on opposite sides) during cooler mornings/evenings instead of running AC all the time. The adjacent park and spacing likely allow for good breezes.
Optimise Heat Pump Use: Don’t run the heat pump with windows open – keep the house reasonably closed when heating or cooling. Clean the heat pump’s filter every few months for efficiency. Set reasonable temperatures (e.g., 20°C in winter, not 25°; every degree higher can increase heating costs by ~10%). Use the timer function – e.g., set it to warm the living area before you wake up, then off while you’re at work.
Appliance Efficient Use: Run full loads in dishwasher and washing machine rather than many small loads – maximises the water and energy use. Use the eco mode on appliances when possible (they take a bit longer but use less energy/water). For the dryer, spin clothes at high speed in the washer to remove more water, then the dryer doesn’t work as hard. Clean the dryer’s lint filter every load – a clogged filter can increase energy use and is a fire hazard.
Lighting habits: Even though LEDs are cheap to run, turning off lights when not needed is still good practice. It also slightly extends their already long life. With open-plan living, you might only need a couple of lights on in the evening for the whole area.
Water habits: As mentioned, short showers (or efficient showerheads) save hot water. The info pack might mention how the hot water is heated – if it’s an electric cylinder, you can reduce the thermostat a bit (e.g., from 60°C to 55°C) to save energy, but not below 60°C because of legionella safety – actually by code it might be set at 60. If it’s a gas califont (on-demand), you save by only heating what you use anyway. Fix drips quickly; one dripping tap can waste many litres a day (Watercare charges about $1.50 per 1000L, so waste adds up over time).
Tariffs and Plans: Choose a power plan that suits your usage. Some power companies have free hour of power per day – you could do dishwashing and laundry in that free hour and save. Or if you charge an EV or have high night use, a night-rate plan could be cheaper. Also, since these houses won’t have gas (likely), you might get an “all-electric” discount or not pay a separate gas daily charge (saves money compared to houses that have both gas and electric bills). And since all neighbours are new owners, you might share tips or even group deals (sometimes new developments partner with ISPs or power companies for sign-up deals).
Monitoring: Consider getting a power usage monitor or using your retailer’s app to track usage. Being aware if something spikes your usage helps. For instance, if you see high overnight usage, maybe the towel rail was left on 24/7. A heated towel rail can use like 60W continuously, which over a month adds maybe $8-10 to the bill. You might put it on a timer (some have built-in timers) so it’s only on a few hours a day.
Featherstone homes likely come with smart meters (for power) and Watercare will read water monthly. Smart meters mean no estimated bills and the ability to see detailed data (handy for controlling use).
The Bigger Picture: Efficient Living
By understanding your utility costs and how Featherstone’s features help reduce them, you’re not only saving money but also living more sustainably. Lower energy and water usage = smaller carbon footprint. For example, if every household had the kind of efficiency these do, it would significantly cut national energy demand. New Zealand’s electricity is relatively clean (lots of renewable generation), but saving power still reduces the need for burning any fossil fuels in peaker plants and cuts your contribution to climate change.
Likewise, Auckland faces water shortages at times (remember the 2020 water restrictions?). By using water wisely (which these homes facilitate), you’re helping conserve a precious resource. The info pack might mention any sustainable initiatives (like tree planting by the developer, etc.), aligning with that responsible living ethos.
Recap of Expected Costs
To put numbers in a quick reference:
Electricity: Possibly around $150/month on average (could be ~$120 in summer, $180-$200 in a cold winter month if heating more).
Water & Wastewater: Around $80-$90/month for a typical family (less if just 1-2 people).
Total Power+Water: Roughly $230-$250/month combined in normal circumstances.
Auckland typical for a family might be power $200 + water $90 = $290, so you’re looking at maybe ~$40 less.
Over a year, that’s about $2,800 – $3,000 on those utilities, vs maybe $3,500 in an older home – saving maybe $500-$700 yearly.
Do keep in mind if you use a lot of one utility (e.g., have a spa pool – that uses electricity and water, or fill a big paddling pool often, etc.), that will add to costs. But those are lifestyle choices outside the normal home operations.
In Featherstone, many of the heavy cost components are optimised: insulation, efficient appliances, efficient lights, water-saving fixtures. So you have a buffer against high bills. It’s somewhat future-proofed against rising utility prices too – if power rates go up, at least your usage is lower than it would’ve been in a less efficient house.
For example, if electricity costs inflate, a house using 7,000 kWh/year is hit less hard than one using 10,000 kWh. New Zealand power prices do tend to rise gradually over time, so efficiency is a good hedge. The most recent stats (2024) show average cost ~33 cents/kWh, up from previous years. If you can operate at below average consumption, you soften the blow.
Final Thoughts
When budgeting for your Featherstone townhouse, you can be confident that utility costs will be reasonable and likely lower than what many Auckland homeowners face. The combination of modern construction, smart design choices, and new technology all play in your favour. Of course, individual habits vary, but even if you’re a heavy user (long hot showers, lots of baking in the oven, etc.), you’re still better off in a house that’s built to high-performance standards than in one that isn’t.
To truly verify, you could ask the developer or sales agent if they have any modelled estimates or if similar previous builds by them had any data on utility usage. Sometimes developers do energy efficiency modelling (like Homestar ratings or similar) that can quantify expected energy use. Even if not, the rationale we’ve laid out stands on known facts and stats.
In conclusion, owning a Featherstone home means you’ll enjoy a comfortable living environment that naturally keeps utility costs in check. With mindful usage on your part, you can maximise those savings. So, as you plan your monthly home ownership budget, you can allocate a bit less to utilities and perhaps more to other things that improve your quality of life – maybe that Netflix subscription or saving up for new furniture, knowing your home itself isn’t wasting energy or water.
It’s all part of Marilyn Apartments’ aim to provide homes that are cost-effective to own as well as to buy. We want you to love living in your new home without worrying about surprise high bills. And if you ever have questions about how a feature of your home works (like the heat pump settings or the hot water control), we’re here to help and can point you to resources to ensure you’re getting the most out of the efficient systems in place.
Welcome to a lifestyle of comfortable, efficient home living at Featherstone!
