Russians were told how to reduce housing and communal services payments by 20 percent

The issue of saving the family budget is now more relevant than ever for the vast majority of Russian households. Inflation in the country, alas, is growing, the ruble is falling, tariffs for resources are increasing, and against this background, the monthly obligatory payment for housing and communal services for many consumers is like a financial noose around the neck. Meanwhile, experts argue that a systematic approach to saving resources will help reduce payments for housing and communal services by 10-20%. With the help of specialists, we will try to figure out point by point how you can save on paying for housing and communal services.

There are two types of savings on utilities: individual and collective. It is easiest to save in your own apartment; it is more difficult to cut costs for an entire apartment building. But for this there are special consultants – energy service companies who will analyze energy losses and draw up a savings plan.

As for reducing energy consumption in residential premises, they need to start with the rules of frugality, which are clearly expressed in the well-known sign “when leaving, turn off the lights,” says Popular Front expert, member of the Public Council of the federal project “School of a Literate Consumer,” Pavel Sklyanchuk. However, there are new approaches to this issue.

“Now there are meters with high measurement accuracy. It turns out that cheap Chinese models can reel in cubic meters of water even when all the taps are closed – the magnetic strip of the meter must be stationary! As for electricity, every apartment has energy hogs – old electric stoves, washing machines, refrigerators. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to save money without replacing household appliances. You should also pay attention to the plumbing – dual-flush toilet cisterns are sold on the market. Imagine how many thousands of rubles your wastewater disposal costs will be reduced in a few years!” continues Sklyanchuk.

Additionally, shower heads can reduce flow without reducing water pressure when you shower. It is clear that a shower is more economical than a full bath. The main thing is that, like the character from the Soviet comedy “12 Chairs,” the soapy one should not be left without water.

Five areas of housing and communal services costs in which you can save were listed in a conversation with MK by Ivan Samoilenko, managing partner of B&C Agency.

Firstly, electricity. The first thing you need to do is replace incandescent lamps (if anyone still has them) with energy-saving ones, or better yet, with LED ones. Their cost is high compared to conventional lamps, but they work much longer, consume less electricity, and illuminate the room on a par with “gluttonous” incandescent lamps of 40 or 60 W. Secondly, use in your house not chandeliers that illuminate the entire room, but spot light (table lamp, sconce, lighting over the sink), if you do not need light in the entire room. Cleanliness of windows, lampshades on chandeliers and curtains is also a way to save energy: the cleaner they are, the more daylight enters the room, and you turn on the lights in the apartment less. The third way is to use new meters. For example, a two-tariff meter assumes that using electrical appliances at night is half the price. You can turn on the washing machine at this time: it will turn itself off at the right time, and you will save your money. And of course, using modern appliances helps you save money – choose a washing machine and other appliances with low energy consumption.

Secondly, heating. Regulated batteries and individual meters will help here. But this is true for apartment buildings. In a private house, you can save on heating by setting a lower temperature for the gas boiler (comfortable temperature level – 18-22 degrees Celsius). It is also worth taking care not to “heat the street” – a lot of heat loss occurs if the apartment has old windows. It is better to install plastic ones.

Thirdly, gas. In the apartment, gas is used for cooking. Here you can save money if you don’t cook food in large quantities – put the kettle on so that there is enough water for the whole family’s breakfast, rather than boiling the full volume. Half of this water will cool down in a day, and twice as much gas will be spent in this one procedure alone. If you have a boiler installed for individual heating, then you can save money if you do not make the room temperature too high.

Fourthly, water. Of course, you shouldn’t take a bath too often, although this is one of the most accessible ways of relaxation for many. Showering is definitely a more economical way. It is probably also clear to everyone that it is better to turn off the water tap when it is not needed, but is simply flowing. For example, while washing dishes. It is enough to use a stopper in the sink, pour water and detergent into it, wash the dishes, and rinse them under running water. This saves about half of the water in the house. New leak-free taps and individual consumption meters are also necessary to reduce payments. A dishwasher seriously reduces water consumption when washing dishes, but not everyone has one.

Fifthly, garbage removal. Standards for the removal of solid household waste (MSW) are calculated depending on the number of square meters (in apartments) or on the number of registered ones (in a private house). If no one lives in the apartment, but you have to pay bills, you need to fill out an application with the management company – then this payment will be removed from you. In addition, in certain regions of the country (in the Moscow region, for example), there are programs to encourage residents to separate waste collection. If there is such a program in your region, try to connect to it (this requires the active position of all residents of the house). With separate waste collection, the cost of payments for solid waste removal is reduced several times.