Winter is here, which means utility bills are skyrocketing (as opposed to salaries). That is why the question of how to save on housing and communal services is becoming topical. Novate.ru teaches readers to conserve electricity, water and keep the family budget. Here are some useful tips, listening to which, you can save monthly on utility bills.
1. Take advantage of energy-saving lamps
In summer, daylight hours are much longer, so people rarely use artificial lighting. But in winter, the time for lamps comes and in order to save energy as much as possible, it is necessary to replace ordinary bulbs with energy-saving ones. Of course, they are much more expensive than classic incandescent bulbs, but they last much longer, about eight years.
2. Install spot lighting instead of a chandelier
Chandeliers have long been out of fashion. This is partly due to the fact that they consume a lot of electricity. Instead of a chandelier, it is better to install several spotlights, in particular, ceiling ones. Also consider various lighting scenarios in the rooms. Do not focus on just one option - it is better to install sconces, floor lamps, nightlights and other types of lighting fixtures at key points in the room. Include only those that you need in this section of the room - this way you can significantly save on electricity.
3. Take care of the availability of multi-tariff meters
If you are practically not at home during the day, devoting all your free time to work, and return to the apartment only in the evening, then you just need a multi-tariff meter. All its beauty lies in the fact that it calculates the cost of energy consumed depending on the time of day. The fact is that the night electricity rate is several times lower than the daytime one, so if you use a TV, laptop and other equipment mainly from 23:00 to 7:00, you can significantly save on electricity.
4. Use economical home appliances
When choosing a TV, refrigerator, washing machine and other household appliances, pay attention not only to the size, power and number of functions, but also to the energy class. It must be one of the following: "A", "A +" or "A ++". Devices with these classes consume the least amount of electricity and are the most economical.
5. Adjust the temperature of the heating radiators
In order to be able to regulate the temperature of heating radiators, it is necessary to install thermal heads on them. Thus, you can independently change the intensity of heating the rooms depending on the temperature outside the window. If the thermometer shows a positive temperature - decrease, if a negative temperature - add. Considering the fact that there are often thaws in winter, there is simply no point in wasting an already warm room. Even if you reduce the temperature by only two or three degrees, you will already noticeably save, which will be clearly demonstrated by your heating bills.
Life hack: Place reflective foil behind the batteries. It will direct heat not to the cold wall, but to the room, due to which you can warm up faster.
6. Wash your clothes in the "express wash"
A great opportunity to save on both water and electricity is to load a full washing machine and turn on the quick wash function (when possible). The same rule should be used in the case of a dishwasher - you should not start it until it is fully loaded. Using this simple technique, you can significantly reduce the cost of both water and electricity.
7. Install induction hobs
Unlike the traditional electric stove, which heats more than the pots, but the hotplate and the air around, the induction model heats the dishes directly. In a few minutes, you can freely boil about two liters of water, preventing heat wastage.
If you do not have the opportunity to buy an induction cooker and have to use an electric one, use the following advice: turn off the hotplate three to five minutes before the dish is finally cooked. You should also pay attention to the dimensions of pots and pans: in order not to waste up to 50% of your energy, choose the dishes that fit the size of the burner. Another point that must be taken into account is the material of pots and pans. It is best to give preference not to steel or cast iron, but to glass and ceramic dishes, since they heat up faster, which means less energy is spent.
8. Prevent heat leakage
Winter has come, which means now is the time to check the windows and doors for cracks. In most cases, the coolness in the apartment is felt not at all because the batteries are barely warm, but because the double-glazed windows have lost their tightness. Yes, plastic windows also “sin”: over time, the seal becomes coarse, and the foam dries up, resulting in a draft in the rooms. Therefore, be sure to check all windows and doors for gaps and seal them with self-adhesive tape or sealant. Also, do not forget about the insulation. By the way, if the floors in the apartment are cold, it might make sense to buy some carpets to keep your feet warm.
9. Turn off the lights
Banal advice that people very often neglect. Why leave a light on in your kitchen when you're watching TV in your living room? The same goes for the bathroom and toilet (if you have separate ones). Sometimes we forget to turn off the lights even when we leave home, and then we are surprised by the high electricity bills. It is also very important to teach children to turn off the lights, otherwise you will constantly have to follow them, and press the switches instead of babies.
10. Install motion sensors
Usually, these devices can be seen in the entrances of apartment buildings, but they are relevant not only for high-rise buildings. Motion detectors should be installed in those rooms where people often forget to turn off the lights: closets, terraces, balconies and other rooms where you rarely look.
11. Pour exactly as much water into the kettle as you need at the moment
Among small household appliances, the electric kettle consumes the largest amount of electricity. Because of this, it is important to control the amount of water that you usually pour into it for heating. For example, if you are about to have a cup of tea, there is no need to boil a full kettle. Just pour in the required minimum and wait literally a minute until the water reaches the desired temperature. Thus, you can save several tens of watts, which will have a positive effect on monthly indicators and your wallet. It is also worth regularly descaling the kettle so that it boils faster.
A few more life hacks are waiting for you in the article. An American trick on how to significantly reduce your water bill anywhere in the world