Energy Options

Energy Options is built around the ethos of energy efficiency and as such is committed to: Preserving our environment, helping those in need with healthy, warm and comfortable homes whilst supporting communities.

Energy Options is a community organisation based in Whakatane owned by the Eastern Bay Energy Trust. Their vision is for every NZ home to embrace energy efficiency and to engage in energy self sufficiency. They have a number of programmes that have brought significant social, health and environmental benefits within the Bay and beyond.

Energy Options insulate the ceilings and underfloors of homes using polyester blanket insulation. They sell high quality, efficient, Clean Air approved heating, install solar hot water systems and give free advice on reducing power consumption. A preferred provider to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), the team at Energy Options works with stakeholders including Regional and Local Government, Iwi, Community Trusts and Health Agencies to deliver home retrofit insulation projects throughout the North Island, helping thousands of households by improving the occupants' comfort and energy efficiency.

Some of the challenges faced have been communicating their principles to educate the public and staff, reduction in fuel consumption and vehicle mileage, energy use and environmental impact of offices and sustainable product specification.

To help meet these challenge weekly staff meetings and all public communication try to highlight social and environmental issues and a monthly director’s report includes a triple bottom line update with KPIs for lifetime energy savings in homes installed and business carbon emissions.

Efficiency of their vehicle fleet has been prioritised this year with Energy Options joining the SBN's GreenFleet programme and they are improving fuel efficiency through this and careful vehicle purchasing policies. Their average fleet fuel consumption is down almost 13% on the previous year whilst moving local management to community offices, each with a booking co-ordinator tasked with efficiently managing personnel and teams will increase productivity and minimise travel times.

Energy Options support strong involvement by staff in community projects and education such as Curtain Banks, Kiwi breeding programmes, tree planting, school environmental education.