Saving on utilities – a few simple tips

Recommendation points

• Shine
• Energy saving lamps, LEDs, solar lights
• Energy-saving household appliances
• Multi-tariff meters
• We use a washing machine, refrigerator, electric kettle, electric stove and computer correctly
• Water
• Replacing faucets, using contactless faucets at home
• Buying an economical shower
• Dishwasher
• Two-button flush cisterns
• Heating
• We change radiators
• We install thermostats on each radiator
• New gas boiler and other options for a private house
• We insulate windows, walls and floors
• Aluminum foil behind the radiator

In this article, we will give some simple tips on how to save on utility bills. Let’s start with the most costly options that require repairs, the purchase of new household appliances, insulation and replacement of radiators. And we will finish with the simplest ones that do not require any investment – only a thoughtful approach and adherence to simple rules of economy.

In light of regularly increasing utility tariffs in many families, monthly payments on receipts from management companies have become a serious, and sometimes even a major expense. And if before the light turned on in all rooms at the same time did not cause any emotions, today many are switching to austerity. Keeping an eye on the consumption of water and light on the meters is also one of the options for saving money. But, save, do not save, but you still have to wash, swim, cook food.

A more correct approach is not to deny yourself the pleasure of watching TV or taking a full bath, but prudently to do everything to keep the cost of heating, electricity and water to a minimum. We hope our simple tips will help you with this..

Gas, electricity, water, heating – these are the main, most expensive utilities on which it is quite possible to save money, in contrast to the rent, the rate of which is fixed in most cases

Shine

Along with heating, electricity bills are a significant cost item in utility bills. Especially big bills come to those who use electric stoves and kettles, electric water heaters. In such families, electricity consumption can reach 500-600 kilowatts per month. What Measures Can Help Reduce Electricity Costs?

Energy saving lamps, LEDs, solar lights

Despite the fact that conventional energy-saving lamps cost almost ten times more than conventional lamps, their purchase is justified and advisable. Firstly, they will last much longer, and secondly, they will significantly reduce the cost of light. Judge for yourself, the average consumption of an energy-saving lamp is from 3 to 12 watts per hour, and a conventional incandescent lamp is at least 40 watts, and one such rather dim lamp per room will not be enough. Now count the number of bulbs in your apartment – at least ten, right? It is easy to calculate that replacing them with energy-saving ones will save about 120-140 kilowatts per month..

LED lighting, which is increasingly being installed on ceilings or kitchen cabinets, is also a very economical form of lighting. The LED strip has an average lifespan of 50 thousand hours; one meter of such a backlight consumes only 4.8 to 25 watts. Regular LED strip costs from 400 rubles per running meter.

The energy-saving lamp, in addition to its main operational advantages, looks quite attractive even without a shade

Lanterns operating on the principle of accumulating solar energy are increasingly appearing on household plots. During the day, such a lamp is charged by a solar battery, and in the evening it gives off the accumulated electricity. In an apartment, lamps of this type can be used on balconies and loggias. Such “solar” lights cost from 440 to 7 thousand rubles, depending on the size and power. By the way, it is convenient that you do not need to pull the wiring to them – these are self-sufficient light sources.

The most visible advertisement for energy-saving lamps – the savings are evident

Energy-saving household appliances

When buying a refrigerator or washing machine, we rarely think about what energy class our future household assistant belongs to. Meanwhile, A +++ class household appliances consume two to three times less electricity per year than the same class B appliances. electricity. By the way, do not forget to buy dishes with an even, thick bottom for your new electric oven – it heats up much faster. And choose a saucepan whose bottom matches the size of the burner – do not heat the air.

Multi-tariff meters

Multi-tariff payment for electricity means that during peak times (from 07:00 to 10:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00) you pay more than in the so-called half-peak (from 10:00 to 17:00 and from 21 : 00 to 23:00) and night (from 23:00 to 07:00). Such multi-tariff meters are initially installed today in all new buildings in Moscow and the Moscow region, and residents of other cities of Russia can afford to install such a device. A multi-tariff or two-tariff electricity meter is beneficial not only for those who stay up late or lead a nocturnal lifestyle. Think, your refrigerator works around the clock. You can turn on the night mode and the washing machine, and the bread maker, and the multicooker. Save up to 25% of your monthly electricity bill.

We use a washing machine, refrigerator, electric kettle, electric stove and computer correctly

If all the previous tips required initial costs and the purchase of special equipment and lighting fixtures, then these methods of saving energy are absolutely free..

It’s trite, but just don’t put a hot pot of soup in the refrigerator, and he won’t have to waste energy cooling it. And do not forget to defrost the refrigerator – a thick layer of ice increases power consumption. Put the washing machine on a washing mode with a temperature not 90 degrees, but 60 – this is enough to remove all stains, and you will save a lot of electricity. A scale-free electric kettle will boil water faster, and the hotplate of the electric stove will remain hot for a long time and your porridge will “come” even after it is turned off. Set the computer to “sleep” mode – let the screen turn off if you have not done anything for 10 minutes. We left the room – turn off the light, no one is in the living room – why is the TV still broadcasting there? Most likely, you have been familiar with such simple rules for a long time, only they are forgotten, for some reason, very quickly.

The hobs consume up to 1.5 kilowatts per hour when switched on at full power. They retain heat for a long time, so you can turn off the hotplate five to ten minutes before the end of cooking and the dish will have time to “reach”, and you will save electricity

Water

We hope you already have hot and cold water meters? This is the main rule of economy, since the water consumption rates are too high and otherwise you will have to pay for the water that traditionally runs along our sidewalks. In addition to installing meters, in order to save water, you can use the following tips.

Replacing faucets, using contactless faucets at home

Installing new lever faucets instead of swivel ones allows you to reduce water consumption – you can quickly set the desired temperature and turn off the tap for a while while brushing your teeth. Simplicity of control allows you not to turn two taps, adjusting the water supply, but to do all this with a light movement of your hand and save water. Of course, the mixer must be of high quality and not leak..

Popular touchless faucets, which are usually installed in public places, turn off immediately when you just take your hands off the tap. You can also install such a tap at home – you will definitely not worry that you forgot to close it. Economical and allows you not to be distracted by turning off the water every time you need to put a plate in the cabinet. A contactless mixer costs about seven to eight thousand rubles.

It is easier to regulate the flow and temperature of the water on the lever mixer, which saves water

Buying an economical shower

Helps save water and installation of special nozzles on taps and showers. They are called aerators, sprayers or deflectors. Such nozzles break the stream of water into small droplets and allow you to get by with a smaller volume. Manufacturers claim that such a shower flow restrictor will save 35 to 55% of the normal amount of water used for bathing. And the shower, even the most ordinary one, is in any case much more economical than the bathroom..

Dishwasher

Do you think a dishwasher is an additional waste of water? On the contrary, experts have calculated that this useful household device consumes only 15 to 25 liters of water on washing 6-12 sets of dishes, depending on the selected operating mode. In the event that you wash the same amount of dishes by hand, that is, not at the same time, but for one item, much more water is consumed. By the way, hand washing also implies an increased water consumption, while a washing machine in normal mode without additional rinsing uses 30 to 60 liters.

A dishwasher is not only convenient, but also economical. Just load it completely, you shouldn’t start the device because of two or three plates

Two-button flush cisterns

If you are not yet ready to install the economical European W + W system at home, which we wrote about in the article about a separate bathroom, at least get a cistern with two buttons – for full and incomplete draining. With its help, you can save 20-25 cubic meters of water per year.

Heating

Regardless of how you pay for heating – only during the heating season or “stretch the pleasure” for a whole year, all the same, this expense item in the receipt for utility services remains the most significant. It is good if there is a heat meter in your entrance – it is it that allows you to significantly reduce heating costs when the management company does not fulfill its obligations. But you can save on your own, on your own living space..

We change radiators

One section of an aluminum radiator gives off one and a half times more heat than the same section, but cast iron. So only after replacing the good old cast-iron radiators with more elegant and modern aluminum ones, your home will become warmer. In addition, bimetallic radiators have increased heat transfer..

We install thermostats on each radiator

The comfortable temperature in the room is about 23 degrees Celsius, and at night it can be reduced to 18 degrees. So why pay more for heat and open the window at night if you can install a thermostat on each battery? You will see the savings after receiving the first receipt for heating, and the installation costs will pay off in one heating season.

The thermostat on each radiator allows you to set the optimal temperature in the room and save on heating. However, you must first install a separate apartment heat meter, which is possible, unfortunately, not in all apartment buildings.

New gas boiler and other options for a private house

If the residents of apartment buildings, with the exception of individual new buildings with autonomous heating, usually completely depend on the central system, the inhabitants of private houses are themselves responsible for the heat in their home. The installation of an electric pump, which will speed up the process of water circulation through the radiators and ensure uniform heating of the whole house, as well as the purchase of a modern condensing gas boiler, which, as the manufacturers assure, will reduce fuel consumption by 30%, will save money..

Experts have calculated that main gas remains the cheapest fuel for a boiler in a private house, other types of fuel – electricity, coal, wood, diesel fuel and liquefied gas are more expensive.

We insulate windows, walls and floors

The lion’s share of heat leaves our apartments and houses precisely through the windows, therefore the installation of multi-chamber double-glazed windows is far from a luxury, but a way to save on heating. Today manufacturers offer double-glazed windows with energy-saving glass, which in summer do not allow the heat to enter the apartment, and in winter they reflect heat back into the room. Climatic valves or micro-ventilation systems provide fresh air without losing heat. And the glazing of the balcony or loggia will increase the temperature in the adjoining room by 1-2 degrees.

If you still have old windows, insulate yourself, that is, glue the windows or use special seals every fall. In panel houses, it is usually difficult to keep warm as the walls are too thin and cold. From the inside, the walls of the apartment can be pasted over with thin insulation, which is sold in rolls. However, this method usually does not give a tangible effect; in private houses it should be combined with external wall insulation with foam plastic or rigid polyurethane foam. You will have to spend money on house insulation, but believe me, the costs are worth it – you will not only save on heating, but also get rid of mold and mildew on the walls.

A reliable floor covering is especially important for apartments on the ground floors, use thick linoleum, carpet, just a warm carpet.

High-quality multi-layer double-glazed windows will make your home warmer and more comfortable

Aluminum foil behind the radiator

If replacing double-glazed windows or radiators is not in your plans in the near future, you can use such a simple method of saving heat as pasting the space behind the battery with aluminum foil. Such an easy and inexpensive option of insulation will allow you to leave heat inside the house and not warm the street. However, make sure that there is at least two centimeters of space for air circulation behind the radiator, even after pasting with foil. You can take the usual aluminum foil – kitchen, which is used for baking, or industrial, corrugated, but necessarily metal, and not polyethylene, painted in silver. And if you cut a piece of foil exactly to the size of the aluminum radiator, then the reflector will be completely invisible and will not spoil the overall interior of the room..

The total amount on the monthly receipt from the management company can be an unpleasant surprise. Maybe you should try to save water, light and heat, so that you can spend the savings on more pleasant purchases?

All of us, without exception, pay utilities for the used electricity, water, gas, heat and other services. This is an obligatory item of expenses, which we are quite capable of significantly reducing so as not to overpay for heating the street, water leakage somewhere near the house or lighting an empty room..