How can owners of private houses avoid paying for electricity?

What can you save money on?

A few words about household appliances. The most “insatiable” is the one that has heating coils and thermoelements (this includes underfloor heating systems, boilers, and other water heaters). This is followed by a number of electrical appliances (hair dryer, iron, kettle, fireplace, stove). In addition, appliances with powerful engines (washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, air conditioner) increase the electricity bill. It is almost impossible to refuse to use such technology, then how can you save money?

It's simple: most modern electrical appliances consume much less energy than their more “ancient” counterparts . Plasma and LCD monitors, for example, operating in economy mode, can save up to 135 kW/h per year. Personal computers operating in the same mode generally “eat” 2 times less. If you purchase an inverter air conditioner, you can save even more energy. Finally, installing the refrigerator away from sunlight, in some cool place, will also have a positive effect on your bill.

Prices for TV Samsung LE-37C530 37

TV Samsung LE-37C530 37″

On a note! Let's look at simple and legal ways to save on electricity. Some of them may seem elementary, as something taken for granted. Nevertheless.

10 simple ways to save energy at home

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Newspaper “Khabarovskie Vesti”, 08/31/2016 Elena, assistant director of the branch of PJSC DEK Khabarovskenergosbyt for working with the population, talks about how she manages to cope with her obligations by supplying high-quality electricity to residents’ apartments, and about interaction with providers of utility services. Bunyaeva.
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No. 4. The refrigerator should not be located near a heat source

Because of this, electricity consumption will increase several times.

Do you know how much you pay for the electricity spent on your refrigerator? We have prepared a detailed article and a calculator for calculating the electricity consumption of a refrigerator per hour (link to article and calculator ).

Place the refrigerator away from heat sources

Calculator for calculating the average electricity consumption of a refrigerator

Go to calculations

AVAILABLE POWER

Residents of the region received the news with enthusiasm. True, questions have already arisen.

– How to approach the electrification of a site correctly? Where to begin? – gardeners ask on social networks.

The Union of Summer Residents of the Moscow Region explains: the owner of a land plot can submit an application without leaving home through the “Personal Account” on the website of the network organization.

– If your site is not electrified, but there is a line nearby, a 15 kW connection is quite sufficient power for a residential building with an area of ​​up to 150 square meters. m will cost 550 rubles,” says Nikita Chaplin. – This amount includes the installation of supports and the connection of the main line to the site, if the distance is no more than 500 m in rural areas and 300 m in the city.

When power lines are on the balance sheet of a gardening partnership, you should contact the chairman of the SNT.

– In this case, it is not always possible to provide 15 kW at each site, because not all owners are willing to pay to increase the power of a common transformer.

By the way! The decision of MOESK was made as part of the execution of the order of the governor of the Moscow region in order to relieve summer residents of the financial burden of maintaining networks.

Leonid Neganov, Minister of Energy of the Moscow Region:

– Simplification of the procedure for transferring networks to the balance of the electric grid company is an incentive for many residents and a serious help for those summer residents who, for a number of reasons, were unable to bring their electrical equipment into proper shape.

No. 5. Redecorating

You can save energy... with simple cosmetic repairs. If you paint the ceiling a light color or hang light wallpaper, the room will reflect about 80 percent of the sunlight. After all, the darker the coating, the worse it reflects light, therefore, to illuminate a room with a dark interior, more energy is needed.

Bright interior of the room

No. 8. Window insulation

First of all, seal all the cracks (ideally, of course, it is better to install modern double-glazed windows, preferably with energy-saving glass). After all, windows account for the lion's share of heat loss (up to 50 percent). In addition, during the winter you can cover your windows with thick night curtains.

It is also advisable to insulate the loggia/balcony and entrance doors. It is also worth thinking about insulating the floors in the apartment.

How does energy-saving double glazing work?

No. 9. Use the “correct” household appliances

If possible, buy one whose energy efficiency class is as high as possible (this indicator can range from A to G). The lowest energy consumption is for class A appliances, the highest is for class G. Today, most household appliances, cars and even light bulbs should have an EU energy efficiency label. On more economical products, the label is usually green. If the equipment is energy-saving, it consumes much less electricity than conventional ones (the difference sometimes reaches 50 percent). In addition, there are devices of classes A+ and A++, which, accordingly, allow even more savings.

Energy classes

No. 10. Use renewable sources and smart technologies

Nowadays, smart home systems are becoming increasingly popular, providing security and resource conservation through automation and high technology. Of course, such a system should be taken care of at the stage of designing a house. However, even ready-made living spaces can be equipped with some smart additions; for example, we can talk about remote control of lighting, air conditioning, heating using a special application for a smartphone. Thanks to this, you will be able to monitor energy consumption, and therefore save by optimizing energy consumption.

Smart home system

Now a few words about alternative resources. These include wind and solar installations. Note that with the help of some solar panels you can not only become independent from utilities, but also cut your costs by half (or even more)!

How can you achieve maximum savings in energy consumption?

So, the surest way to minimize energy costs and not in any way conflict with the law is to use it economically and wisely. This will be discussed below.

All home appliances that use electrical energy can be divided into several separate groups - each of them has its own saving approaches. Let's start with the most obvious thing - lighting.

How to save on home lighting.

Lighting usually accounts for at least 30÷35% of total energy consumption. But there is significant savings potential that should never be neglected.

• First of all, lighting should only work when it is really necessary. You can often catch a picture of lamps burning in a room on a clear sunny day. For what? Perhaps they simply forgot to turn off the light after morning twilight. And sometimes you are too lazy to get up and walk to the switch. The result is completely unjustified expenses, literally out of nowhere. A little more attentiveness and organization - and this is the result.

And in the daytime, you need to try to make the most of the “free” sunlight. This is facilitated by large windows (cleanly washed, by the way), promptly drawn curtains, and the absence of tall houseplants piling up on the windowsills.

It is interesting that even the normalization of the family’s daily routine, that is, its maximum connection to the daylight hours (timely going to bed and waking up in the morning, avoiding long “night vigils,” etc.) gives a considerable saving effect.

• Secondly, lighting should not be excessive. No, this is not a call to sit in the dark, on the contrary. There are carefully calculated and scientifically based lighting standards for different rooms. And both the insufficiency of this illumination and its excess negatively affect a person’s well-being and even health.

It makes sense to take a closer look at this issue, carry out calculations in order to create a truly effective and, at the same time, intelligently thought-out indoor lighting system in your house or apartment. Our portal can provide all possible assistance with this.

How to correctly approach the problems of choosing and arranging lighting fixtures?

Planning a lighting system should not be carried out solely for reasons of “I like it this way” or “it will do.” There are certain lighting standards that, simply for the sake of preserving the health of your family and friends, should be adhered to. For all the details and the algorithm for carrying out the necessary calculations, read the special publication on our portal “Types of lamps and calculation of room illumination .

By the way, in this recommended article it is quite clear that the degree of illumination of the premises is greatly influenced by the decoration of the walls and ceiling. It makes sense to think about this too - sometimes it makes more sense to abandon some “newfangled” delights with a predominance of dark shades in favor of light interiors flooded with natural light.

• This already looks like a “truth,” but some people don’t get it. It's time to completely abandon incandescent lamps with their monstrously high energy consumption and low efficiency. That is, they should be completely replaced with LED devices. Yes, even five years ago the excuse that it was too expensive in terms of initial investment worked. Today the situation has changed dramatically - LED lamps have become quite affordable, and their purchase pays off literally in a matter of months. And even earlier!

And taking into account the fact that a high-quality LED lamp will last much longer, there shouldn’t be two opinions about the need to switch to LED lighting.

We are not talking about “energy-saving” compact fluorescent lamps here for the reason that they are still significantly inferior to LED lamps, while maintaining approximate cost parity. Such lamps were very relevant not so long ago, playing, in fact, the role of a kind of “transition link” to more economical light sources. But, I think, their heyday is still behind us.

• Proper placement of lighting fixtures also gives tangible results. Even a multi-arm chandelier turned on at full power may not provide the same quality of illumination for a specific area of ​​the room as a well-placed spotlight with minimal consumption. It is necessary to practice energy-saving local lighting more widely in situations where general room lighting is not required.

• A well-thought-out lighting control system can provide significant savings. What is meant?

— In those areas where only temporary illumination of the path of movement is required in conditions of limited visibility (for example, the entrance to a house, a flight of stairs, a corridor, etc.), it makes sense to install motion sensors. The light will only come on when required. The combination of this sensor with a photo relay will activate this system only after dark.

— Often in long corridors or in halls with doors to several rooms, the light is on all day long simply because you don’t want to go back to turn it off. The problem can be easily solved by installing so-called pass-through switches at all inputs and outputs. Any of them is equally capable of turning the light on and off.

Which switch and where should I put it? How to do it yourself?

The lighting control system must ensure safety, efficiency, and economical operation. Therefore, there are specific requirements for the placement and connection of switches . Read about this in a special publication on our portal.

— The installation of remote lighting control systems and the use of dimmers to adjust the brightness of lamps are encouraged.

• If night illumination of the yard or paths on the site is required, then a good solution would be to use special autonomous lamps that accumulate energy during the day due to built-in solar photocells.

So, you can already save a considerable amount on lighting alone. But this is still only the “tip of the iceberg”, since the “lion’s share” of electricity consumption still falls on numerous household appliances, without which it is difficult to imagine the life of a modern person.

Energy saving options in the kitchen

Let's start, perhaps, with the kitchen, since traditionally this is where the “maximum concentration” of various useful (and not so useful) household appliances is observed. And the kitchen takes up a lot of energy especially if it is equipped with an electric stove.

• Let's stop right away on the electric stove. If it so happens that this is the only method of cooking, then you should adhere to a number of important recommendations.

— First of all, the stove itself must be absolutely in good working order. The failure of at least one heating element sharply increases the energy consumption. Naturally, the burners themselves must be kept clean - and this is not a small thing.

— A kitchen stove is in no way a heating device, and using it in this “role” is unforgivable stupidity. And comfort cannot be achieved, and energy consumption will be “cosmic”.

— It is recommended to turn on electric burners at full power only until the liquid boils. Subsequently, the cooking process usually requires a less energy-consuming mode. And experienced owners probably also know that many dishes, upon reaching a certain stage, can be brought to full readiness even with the heating turned off completely - the residual heat is enough.

— Covered pots and pans (unless otherwise required by the cooking technology itself) significantly reduce consumption. Otherwise, large quantities of heat (and therefore the electricity spent on its generation) are simply thrown out into the hood.

— The bottom of the cookware placed on the burner must be at least as large as the burner itself. Otherwise, this also results in unnecessary heating of the air. For the same reason, it is recommended to use only dishes with a flat bottom for such a stove, which will ensure a tight fit to the burner and, therefore, maximum heat transfer.

— When cooking, for example, vegetables, you should strive to use a minimum amount of water.

— High efficiency indicators are shown by induction electric stoves. Here the principle of direct heating of cookware made from special alloys and placed in an electromagnetic field of a certain strength is implemented. Yes, such hobs are not cheap, and they require special cookware. But the energy saving effect is very impressive.

• Let's move on to the refrigerator. This device, essential for any family, is constantly connected to the network, regardless of the time of year or time of day. Of course, it does not operate continuously, and the frequency and duration of turning on the compressor depends on the operating conditions created for it.

— Of course, if you are choosing a new refrigerator, you should immediately give preference to models with energy consumption class A and higher (A+, A++, etc.). Such equipment is more expensive, but this is completely justified.

But no matter which model is used, there are some important rules to follow to maximize energy savings.

— The refrigerator must be in full working order. Moreover, this means not only its electrical and, in fact, refrigeration parts, but also the condition of the doors with seals. Loosely fitting doors are always a very sensitive waste of energy.

— The cost-effectiveness of operating this device largely depends on the correct installation. Normal heat exchange must be ensured, and for this purpose certain gaps are maintained between the refrigerator, pieces of kitchen furniture, and walls. These parameters are always specified in the operating instructions for the unit. Failure to comply can result not only in increased energy consumption, but also in complete failure of the device.

— For the same reason, the refrigerator should not be located near the stove or heating appliances; it should not be exposed to direct sunlight from the windows.

— You shouldn’t fill the refrigerator to capacity with food. Free circulation of cold flows in its chambers must always be ensured. Particular attention is paid to the cleanliness and openness of the back wall. So try to place products on the shelves so that at least a quarter of the space remains free.

— And, of course, the refrigerator must be kept clean. All preventative maintenance recommended by manufacturers must be carried out. If the unit requires periodic defrosting, then you should not wait until the entire freezer compartment is tightly packed with ice and snow. It cannot be brought to such a state at all.

• An electric kettle is a very convenient device that allows you to quickly boil the required amount of water. And the key word here is “the right amount.” What's the point of filling a full kettle if your plan is to brew only two cups of tea or coffee? But this happens at every step! Unused boiling water cools down for nothing, and then the whole story repeats itself with the same incomprehensible stubbornness. What kind of savings can we even talk about here?

Do not forget, in addition, that the kettle must be periodically descaled. A layer of limescale dramatically reduces heat transfer from the heating element to water. This also entails an increase in energy consumption.

• Microwave oven - many have already become accustomed to this kitchen appliance and cannot do without it. But savings are also possible here, for example, using special containers with tight-fitting lids for cooking or heating food. This allows you to achieve the expected result faster and, as a result, reduces energy costs.
• A dishwasher - many people see it as simply overkill, and we can generally agree with this opinion. But since it has already become part of your everyday life, and you don’t want to give it up, then at least you shouldn’t “drive” it because of two or three plates, which are easier and faster to wash by hand.
• Many kitchens have a whole arsenal of other appliances - these are multicookers, bread machines, ovens, food processors, meat grinders, toasters and other equipment. It's difficult to give advice here. It’s just that if the issue of saving energy is very urgent, perhaps some amenities are worth sacrificing for a while - there will certainly be an opportunity to replace them with “manual labor”. If not, then all that remains is to pay for the kilowatts consumed, simply by exercising due prudence when using such equipment.

Heating, air conditioning, water heating

• We will not consider the situation when exclusively electrical appliances are used as a heat source - this is a completely separate case. But the use of electric heaters as an additional source of heat during the cold off-season often becomes one of the most costly components.

What are the recommendations here?

— First of all, not all heaters are equally economical. The correct choice of device is one of the most important conditions. For example, expecting miracles from a massive oil cooler is hardly reasonable. But a high-quality convector or heat fan will be able to warm up the room faster and at a lower cost.

There are many criteria for evaluating heating devices when purchasing them. But this is a separate topic for detailed consideration.

Electric heater – which one to choose?

These devices are divided into several groups, differing in the very principle of their design and operation. To learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each type, and to understand the criteria for correctly evaluating the purchased model, read the article on our portal “Energy-saving electric heaters for the home .

- Any, even the most economical heating device will literally “devour” electricity if the house or apartment does not have high-quality thermal insulation, if the windows and doors are not in order.

— You should be reasonable in your desires - it’s hardly worth trying to create “African heat” in your rooms, especially at the expense of expensive electricity. That is, the thermostat of heating devices (and it must be present) is adjusted to the minimum required temperature. Which, by the way, can be significantly reduced during the period when the home is empty (everyone is at work or school) and at night (a good blanket is quite enough, and in a cool atmosphere, sleep is much better). Purchasing a thermostat with the ability to program operating modes will solve this problem.

• The above largely applies to air conditioning systems. Likewise, without high-quality thermal insulation of housing, maintaining an optimal microclimate will be very wasteful. And during the summer heat, you should not strive for too low temperatures - it won’t take long to get a serious cold, even if you do not take into account energy consumption. Usually a threshold of 24÷25 degrees is perceived quite comfortably.

In addition, the air conditioner must be serviced with enviable regularity - the filters must not be allowed to become clogged with dust, so that the drainage tube becomes clogged with dirt. All this will lead to a sharp increase in energy consumption.

• If an exhaust fan is installed in the bathroom or bathroom, then it is better to use devices with a timer - a shutdown delay after the lights are turned off. This will make it possible to fully clean the air, but the rest of the time the fan will “rest” without wasting electricity.
• Electric instantaneous water heaters have repeatedly proven their unprofitability. It is much more profitable to use devices of the accumulative principle - boilers. There is always a supply of hot water at your disposal, and the high-quality thermal insulation of the boiler prevents it from cooling down quickly.

It would be even more reasonable, if you have a capacious boiler, to operate it at night if there are differentiated electricity tariffs in the locality. All this will give a very sensitive saving effect.

But to prevent the boiler from becoming a “waste of resources” and consuming more than it should, it must be periodically serviced. In particular, check the condition of the anode rod, which collects scale, and the heating elements. If necessary, replace.

Other household appliances

A few more recommendations for some household appliances where you can also save energy.

• Today, few people can live without a washing machine. But to ensure that its use does not turn into excessive consumption of electricity, certain rules must be followed. In particular, you must adhere to the recommended drum loading volume. Exceeding this leads to an increase in the load on the drive with all the understandable consequences. Washing in very small batches is a completely wasteful activity.

If possible, you should choose washing modes with minimal time and at the minimum temperature acceptable for this type of laundry. Of course, so that quality is not lost. But housewives probably know much more about this. In addition, many models have a maximum economical washing mode preset by the manufacturer.

• A reliable assistant in putting things in order, a vacuum cleaner will not become a “waste of energy” if you empty the garbage container in time or shake out (replace with a new) dust collection bag. In addition, the condition of the device’s air filters should not be overlooked.

By the way, general cleanliness and order in the premises of an apartment or house always have a positive effect on overall energy consumption. The explanation is simple - clean windows open to light, dust-free lamps and lamp shades, unclogged filters on household appliances, etc.

• In fact, it is recommended that all household appliances be unplugged when not in use. But today, many types of home appliances are equipped with power supplies with a standby mode - waiting for a command from the remote control. Consumption here is minimal, and it is unlikely that complete disconnection from the network will bring any noticeable savings effect. And such constant de-energization does not benefit the electronics.

But there is another pitfall. A very common occurrence is that the set-top box (satellite, digital cable or IP, it doesn’t matter) turns off, the TV screen goes off, the sound goes silent - and the owners calmly go to bed. Meanwhile, the television receiver itself remains turned on, although this does not appear visually. You should be more careful with this.

With computers it’s a different story. Many users fundamentally do not want to disable them. This means that it makes sense to properly configure power management to ensure minimal power consumption during idle times.

Chargers for numerous gadgets of all family members can hardly be considered as too expensive devices in terms of energy consumption. But still, leaving them constantly on is also not worth it. Even if not for reasons of economy, the no-load position does not benefit them.

* * * * * * *

They may ask: what about the widely advertised devices that allow the use of so-called “negative energy” and provide savings of almost 50%?

You can answer with the famous quote from the great Russian director K. Stanislavsky - “I don’t believe it!” To tell the truth, for me personally this technique is located approximately on the same level as “the miraculous Herbalife”, with the “magical possibilities of green coffee”, with “miracle knives” and “exercise machines that guarantee iron abs in three days”.

There are several reasons for this mistrust:

• Firstly, the advertising is too intrusive, typical specifically for such products, designed for “miracle lovers”.
• Secondly, there is already quite enough information (test samples) on the Internet on this matter. Why repeat other people's mistakes?
• And thirdly, if such devices really made it possible to pay significantly less, that is, to the detriment of energy suppliers, then they would have long ago been strictly prohibited at the legislative level. And since experts treat them like some kind of children’s toys, then this already explains everything.

In short, under the guise of a miracle cure, the gullible consumer is sold a plastic box with a power supply for several joyfully blinking LEDs. Well, at least there is no particular harm, just money thrown away in the literal sense of the word.

Believe me, even without any miracles you can achieve quite economical energy consumption. By following at least some of the recommendations suggested above, you can feel a tangible effect.