Secrets of saving on utility bills

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

How frustrated are you when you recalculate the money left over from your utility bills? And after all, you are taking measures - extinguish the light, you do not pour water in vain. And an enchanted receipt appears in the mailbox every month: the amount in it changes often, but for some reason only in a larger direction. Has it ever happened that you are trying to delve into the description of spending line by line, but it dazzles in your eyes and everything merges into a single demand: "Give, give, give more"? Then you need to urgently take action and reduce recurring payments to acceptable values!

Down with all unnecessary

Radio points, landline telephones, collective antennas - you pay for all this, if you have not written a letter of refusal. Study the receipts carefully, maybe you should refuse a number of services? After all, most likely, you have cable TV connected, you read news through a computer or tablet on the Internet, and you communicate with friends and acquaintances on a mobile phone. Then why do we need extra "leeches" on the wallet?

Taking control

Individual metering devices! Only the lazy does not speak about them. But, despite this, they are still not in most apartments.

Individual metering devices! Only the lazy does not speak about them. But, despite this, they are still not in most apartments. And if some difficulties may arise with heat control devices associated with the cost of installation and the nuances of Russian legislation, then getting water meters is definitely not a problem. The Internet is replete with materials proving the feasibility of purchasing this equipment. You can easily find the most detailed descriptions of calculations with examples according to the "before and after" scheme. And in order for all this to work also effectively for you, it is enough to follow a number of the recommendations below.

In order for the batteries to work at maximum efficiency without loss, you need:

- insulate the windows and the front door, insulating the cracks (this will allow you to increase the temperature in the rooms by 2-3 ° C);

- install heat-reflecting screens behind the batteries: foamed bases with one-sided foil, similar to shiny mattresses, will provide an increase of another 1C °;

- paint the heating devices in a dark color, which will improve heat transfer by 5-10%.

For optimal water consumption, you must:

- eliminate all possible leaks;

- use nozzles for taps and showers that regulate the pressure (when rinsing hands, less water is used than when washing dishes);

- give preference to a shower over a bathroom, saving on this simply a colossal amount of liters;

- turn off the tap while brushing your teeth (statistics say that, on average, about half a bucket of water is spent during this procedure, although only 1 glass is really needed;

- wash dishes in a European way, using two filled containers: one for initial cleaning, the other for rinsing (with this approach, you will need about ten liters of water for all dishes, whereas with the flow-through method only one plate will take more than five);

- do not defrost food under a continuous stream of water;

- do not rinse the laundry in running water;

- use sanitary ware designed to reduce water consumption (for example, toilets with two flushing modes).

Where else can you save money?

It would seem simple truths - load dishwashers and washing machines as much as possible, use suitable programs - but few adhere to these recommendations. Meanwhile, they allow you to achieve a significant reduction in monthly expenses. Agree, there is a difference in the payment for electricity - when the device is operating for a couple of hours or thirty minutes (almost any modern equipment provides several modes of operation, including express options for quick cleaning of linen or dishes).

When you demand maximum cooling from the refrigerator, it requires (and consumes!) A huge amount of energy in return.

The same goes for the operation of refrigerators. Well, why set the temperature lower than required for normal food storage. After all, -18C ° is enough for the freezer, and + 7C for the refrigerating one. When you demand maximum cooling from the unit, it requires (and consumes!) A huge amount of energy in return. And pay you!

By the way, how long have you been renovating your "technopark"? If you have not done this even once over the past 5-7 years, we recommend that you reconsider your views on the distribution of budget funds. New Class A equipment (with one or two benefits) can help you significantly reduce your electricity bill by quickly recouping your purchase costs.

Well, the classic: "When leaving, turn off the light!". A simple, boring advice saves 20-25% of electricity. Maybe you should still develop this simple habit? And if, in addition, all the light bulbs are replaced with energy-saving ones, and the central lighting is not used in vain, then the culture of "light consumption" can be brought to almost ideal.

The reward will not be long in coming … the rate of disappearance of money from the wallet will decrease in proportion to the number of life hacks implemented.

What are they not telling us?

Do you know that you have the right to recalculate utility bills if you were absent from the apartment for more than five calendar days? Have gone on vacation or a business trip - you have the right to get your money back for water, gas (if there are no meters), sewage, garbage collection and an elevator. However, this does not apply to heating and maintenance.

Have gone on vacation or a business trip - you have the right to get your money back for water, gas (if there are no meters), sewage, garbage collection and an elevator.

In addition, compensation can be claimed in the event of recorded accidents: interruptions in round-the-clock water supply (if in total they exceeded 8 hours a month), electricity supply (more than 2 hours a month), gas supply (more than 4 hours), heating (more than days within a month). But only for this, you must definitely call the dispatching office and, having left a request, remember the employee's registration number and the time of your contact recorded by him.

Using the above tips, you can change your expense items, removing all unnecessary from them and bringing the remaining expenses to the required minimum. And the receipts in the mailboxes will cease to frighten you with their exorbitant appetites. It's time to put them on a diet!