13 Secrets to Save Family Budget When Paying for Housing and Utilities

Paying for housing and utilities services is a significant expense in every budget, especially if there are children in the family. Want to spend less on water, electricity, and other utilities? Follow our list of simple and effective rules.

Pay by meters1. Pay for electricity, water, and gas by meters. If for some reason you have not installed them yet, hurry to do so and sign a contract with the management company for payment based on meter readings.

Important note: do not forget to test the meters every few years. Like any other device, meters wear out over time and may provide distorted data. Information about the next meter inspection is indicated in its technical passport.

2. If in your family electricity is consumed more during nighttime (from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM) than during the day, it may make sense to install a dual-tariff electricity meter. The cost of electricity at night is significantly lower than the daytime rate.

Families with children, where washing machines and dishwashers (and other appliances) are used almost daily, will quickly feel a noticeable savings, including using household helpers only at night.

Save wisely3. Choose appliances that consume energy efficiently, class A and above.

4. A toilet tank with multiple flush modes significantly reduces water consumption.

5. Purchase mixers with aeration function or install an aerator on existing ones. Thanks to this method, much less water is used without compromising the flow intensity.

6. Get a dishwasher. It saves not only your time and effort but also water (i.e., money). It is proven that hand washing uses much more water. Modern appliances consume electricity very efficiently (especially noticeable to owners of dual-tariff meters who use appliances mainly at night).

Additional bonus for families with children: dishwashers with the «Hygiene / Hygiene+» function ensure more thorough dishwashing due to longer exposure to hot water at higher temperatures.

7. Get rid of incandescent bulbs. There are much more energy-efficient and durable alternatives: LEDs, energy-saving bulbs.

8. Install single-handle mixers. They allow you to set the water flow and temperature much faster, thus saving resources. Also, this option is much more convenient for small family members to use.

9. Get light dimmers. They help not only save but also create a cozier atmosphere with softer lighting.

Don't pay for what you don't use

10. Fix leaks in time. Even dripping from a tap can lead to significant overpayments.

11. Turn off lights. Don't leave them on when exiting a room or apartment — and teach even the youngest family members to do so.

12. Turn off electrical appliances if you're not using them. A computer in standby mode and a TV running in an empty room are common occurrences that drain your family budget.

13. Don't let water run just because you're busy shaving or brushing teeth. Turn off the tap if you don't need water for several minutes.