An uptick in heat pump use could ease pressure on the energy system and cut costs. 

A report by the New Zealand Green Building Council reveals if more households opt for heat pumps, it could save Kiwis more than a billion dollars a year. 

It's also revealed this could protect thousands of industry jobs, with three mills closing in the last year due to soaring energy prices. 

Green Building Council CEO Andrew Eagles says more heat pumps in the country will reduce these demand pressures for the gas sector. 

He told Mike Hosking they’ve got an opportunity to free up gas from a sector that doesn’t need it.  

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