The case for energy loans: read our latest explainer
We love a bit of renewable hydro power in New Zealand, but Ray Tomlinson from JT Group has brought a new meaning to that phrase with what he calls "probably the first battery electric operated commercial water blaster".
Tomlinson has been washing buildings since the '80s but he wanted to develop technology that was a bit gentler on the environment. He says an old petrol machine might use $10k worth of fuel a year and running one for an hour is like driving from Auckland to Wellington.
Like a lot of electric equivalents, while the upfront cost is higher, the numbers they've done suggest that over five years it won't cost any more than a current petrol version.
It's not just costs or emissions it will be reducing, either. Petrol water blasters are very loud so using an electric version means workers finished up the day feeling a lot more refreshed.
He says there was some initial scepticism from the team, but the noise reduction has been a real benefit.
The company is looking to lease the machines and you can get yours by heading to the Summit Building Wash Technologies site https://loom.ly/qmkc-Os
Anyone who upgrades their gas hot water system to a hot water heat pump is a Bright Spark in our eyes and that's what Kingston resident Jason Roberts has just done - with an assist from the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator's group discount scheme.
Read moreDownloadSt John's electric emergency mobile shifts down south after a successful trial in Waikato (while hydrogen buses in Scotland get the axe); Hutt City Council and Nelson City Council embrace some big electric machines; battery health concerns are proven to be a non-issue by individual drivers doing big numbers and a big new study over 7,000 vehicles; what fuel waste looks like when you capture it; the solar demographic split; and Oli Frost releases a new kids' book focused on law firms.
Read moreDownloadFollowing stories in the media of solar customers who are not getting the promised bill reductions from solar, Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey joined Jesse Mulligan to talk about what to look out for, how to ensure you get a quality install and why the vast majority of people are very satisfied with their solar.