Despite the drop in demand, in 2022 electricity prices in Russia broke a five-year record. As Kommersant writes with reference to a report by the Market Council association, in the European part of the Russian Federation and the Urals, single-rate prices on the wholesale market increased by 3.4%, to 2.54 thousand rubles per 1 MW/hour, in Siberia - by 0.6%, up to 1.78 thousand rubles per 1 MW/hour.
For the population, electricity prices will rise by 5% from July 1. As stated in the forecast of the Ministry of Economic Development, electricity tariffs will increase by the same amount in 2022-2023.
Pay on time
Last year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, a communal amnesty was introduced in Russia - no penalties were charged for non-payment of housing and communal services. Starting in February of this year, defaulters will once again be assessed fines for late or incomplete payment of utility bills.
To save money on the world (and on utilities in general), you should first of all pay your bills on time and avoid penalties.
I received two receipts for utility bills. What to do? More details
Hydroelectric power plants
The cheapest electricity today is considered to be generated by hydroelectric power plants.
The costs of building a hydroelectric power station are essentially one-time expenses. A hydroelectric power plant pays for itself fairly quickly, after which electricity is generated at virtually no cost. Among the most powerful hydroelectric power stations in Russia are the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 6,400 MW and the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station - 6,000 MW, built on the Yenisei, and the Bratsk hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 4,500 MW on the Angara.
...and transmit meter readings
Everyone has electricity meters, but not everyone remembers to transmit their readings. But in vain. The fact is that if you do not notify the resource organization about electricity consumption for three months, the fee will be calculated based on the average annual meter readings. And if you go, for example, on vacation or to the country, that is, you will not watch TV, cook or wash clothes, then you will pay the same amount for light as you paid in those months when you were at home and did all this.
And if you do not submit readings for more than three months, in this case the invoice will be issued according to the standards established in your region. As a rule, it is more expensive.
Advantages of autonomous power supply
It would seem that there is only one point in an autonomous power supply system - when there are no power lines near the house, and it is too expensive to run your own line.
However, many homeowners create their own electrical system even if they are already connected to a public system. So what are the benefits of autonomous power supply?
- Regardless. Its own system will protect against power outages for various reasons. An autonomous system is also not immune from accidents and other troubles, but if you create duplicate devices, the protection from accidents will reach its maximum.
- In economy. Electricity supplied through a single system is expensive. Creating an autonomous system is also not a cheap thing, but many homeowners believe that it pays off very quickly, and just as quickly it becomes not only cheap, but also profitable.
- In mobility. An autonomous system, built on several power sources, allows you to quickly respond to the situation, remaining in the light in any situation.
When leaving, turn off the lights
In Europe, utilities are very expensive. In Germany, for example, they pay 222 euros per month for an 85-meter apartment (for light, water, heating, garbage removal). The Germans are so accustomed to turning off the water when brushing their teeth that they even do it in hotels. It’s the same with electricity - in the summer, some German residents sent to work remotely went to work in cafes to save on electricity.
German pragmatism is worth adopting and remembering to turn off the lights when leaving the room/kitchen/bathroom.
We distribute kilowatts. How much electricity does kitchen appliances consume? Read more
Which source of autonomous power supply to choose
You can even get electricity from a stove. However, if we take into account the factor of time and effort, then we can seriously consider only those sources that can work on their own. For this reason, the following methods of providing electricity to your home are the most popular.
Liquid fuel generator
For example, gas generators are available in a variety of options, but using them as a constant source of electricity in a residential building is not advisable. The reason is:
- high cost of fuel;
- generator noise;
- presence of exhaust gases;
- the need to allocate a separate room or shed for the generator.
Prices for liquid fuel generators start at 30 thousand rubles. However, the cheapness of the generated electricity is illusory, since it must be multiplied by the cost of fuel.
In the photo there is a gas generator HONDA HG 5500 (SE) with a power of 4.0 kW, price 121 thousand rubles
Solar power plant
A solar power plant does not require attention or fuel. The only thing they need is intense light, and since nature does not regularly supply this fuel, powerful batteries are also needed. If the latter are present, in a climate with a lot of sunny days, it is quite possible to provide the house with electricity.
Prices for a solar power plant kit start from 130 thousand rubles. The payback is high, since some models can work for thirty years without problems.
In the photo “Solar Dacha” with a power of 1.6 kW/400Ah/1000 W, price 160 thousand rubles per set
Wind generator
Wind generators are no less popular than solar panels. However, they are even more dependent on the vagaries of the weather, so relying only on this source of energy is not possible everywhere.
The simplest wind generators cost from 30 thousand rubles. They can be used for local electricity generation, but they will not be able to solve the problem of complete energy supply to the house. More powerful wind generators to fully provide a home with electricity (from 3 kW) will cost 150 thousand and more.
A full-fledged wind generator with a capacity of 10 kW costs at least 500 thousand rubles. With an average household consumption of 250 kW per month and a price of 4 rubles/kW, such a wind turbine will pay for itself in more than 40 years
Mini hydroelectric power station
A mini hydroelectric power station requires a watercourse with a small height difference to ensure the effect of falling water. A small turbine is installed at the location of such a difference, and electricity will flow into your home constantly, and most importantly, for free. You can use a natural stream or river for a mini-hydroelectric power station, or you can dig a small canal passing through your site. However, such a hydroelectric power station will only operate in the warm season, then it will be necessary to switch to other sources.
If you assemble a 3-5 kW hydroelectric power station from scrap materials, then the cost of the device will not exceed 20 thousand rubles
5. Alternative low power sources
This includes electricity from the earth and atmospheric electricity. In both cases, one cannot count on a full power supply, but for “dacha” needs such sources are quite suitable.
Install motion sensors on switches
Expert of the Russian Ministry of Finance project on financial literacy Igor Grigoryants recommends using energy-saving light bulbs and motion sensors - the latter are especially relevant for families with children (kids often forget the rule that the lights need to be turned off, and children cannot always reach the switches).
“Various control systems will help you remember to turn off the lighting in the rooms in a timely manner. Contrary to popular belief, their cost is not that high: for example, a circuit breaker with a motion sensor will cost about 250-300 rubles,” says Grigoryants.
By the way, although LED lamps are more expensive than energy-saving lamps, they last longer and consume less energy.
How to choose an electricity tariff in the Moscow region
More and more residents of the Moscow region are consciously approaching the choice of electricity tariff. The cost of this utility service is currently based on several conditions. If you know all the nuances of determining the final price for electricity, you can save a lot of money. Read about what electricity tariffs are in the Moscow region and which one is better to choose in the material of the mosreg.ru portal.
Gas or electric stove
The cost of supplied electricity directly depends on the type of stove and heating appliances installed in the house. If the stove is gas, then the price of one kilowatt/hour will be 5.04 rubles, and if it is electric - 3.53 rubles. Electricity tariffs also vary depending on the time of day. In this case, the cost of a single-rate tariff is given.
Such a significant difference (more than 30%) is explained by the fact that electric stoves consume a large amount of electricity, and the reduced rate allows the final price tag not to soar to enormous values. The same goes for electric batteries. However, it should be remembered that all equipment must be officially installed and included in the project documents for the house.
How to gasify a private house in the Moscow region>>
Differentiated tariffs for citizens
In the case of a single-rate tariff, the cost of one kilowatt/hour of electricity is fixed and does not change.
As for differentiated tariffs, the price for electricity fluctuates depending on the time of day. So, you can choose tariffs where the cost of electricity is divided into two or three time periods. The two time zones are daytime (from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and night hours (from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.). At the same time, the cost of night hours is much lower - 2.09 rubles per kilowatt/hour versus 5.80 rubles per kilowatt/hour during the day (the cost is indicated for houses with gas stoves). The night rate is almost 3 times lower than the day rate. This means that people whose main electricity consumption is at night have the opportunity to save a lot.
Another tariff plan involves differentiating the cost of a kilowatt/hour over three time periods. From 7 to 10 a.m. and from 5 to 9 p.m., electricity is the most expensive (6.55 rubles), since this is the peak period. Half-peak falls on the time periods from 10 to 17 hours and from 21 to 23 hours (5.04 rubles). The cost of consumption at night (from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) is the same as with a two-rate tariff (2.09 rubles per kilowatt/hour).
The cost of differentiated tariffs is also given for houses equipped with gas stoves.
How to apply for technical connection to electrical networks in the Moscow region>>
Tariffs for rural population
The cost of a kilowatt/hour of electricity for residents of rural areas differs from the price of a kilowatt/hour in cities. For all tariff plans it is significantly lower. Moreover, it is identical to the cost of all tariffs for residents of cities whose homes are equipped with electric stoves. The single-rate tariff is 3.53 rubles per kilowatt/hour, the two-rate tariff is 4.06 rubles during the daytime, and 1.46 rubles at night. In the three-rate tariff, the peak zone is 4.59 rubles, and the half-peak zone is 3.53 rubles per kilowatt/hour.
Thus, for an ordinary resident of the Moscow region, the optimal choice would be one-rate and two-rate tariff plans. The latter is suitable for those citizens who consider themselves night owls and for some reason stay awake at night. As for the three-rate differentiation, such a choice is advisable only under the condition of clear control of electricity consumption by the resident.
How to pay for housing and communal services online in the Moscow region>>
For other consumer groups
Some consumer groups are considered equal to the population, and the same tariffs apply to them. These are, for example, residential areas at military units and correctional labor institutions, homeowners' associations and various cooperatives, gardening or gardening associations of citizens. In addition, the same tariffs are used to calculate the cost of a kilowatt/hour for religious organizations that are supported by parishioners. So, with a one-rate tariff it costs 5.04 rubles, with a two-rate tariff it costs 5.80 and 2.09 rubles, and with a three-rate tariff, depending on the reduction in peak consumption, it costs 6.55, 5.04 and 2.09 rubles.
For non-public groups, tariff rates may vary depending on the required network voltage, power and time of day. The price of a kilowatt/hour is determined in this case during market trading.
Find out how to recalculate housing and communal services when leaving home>>
Ivan Pyshechkin
Release sockets
If the refrigerator must be connected to the power supply 24/7, then the laptop, TV or smartphone charger can be unplugged. Moreover, this technique continues to consume energy.
Journalists from How To Geek decided to find out how much the habit of leaving gadget chargers in sockets costs. They inserted a surge protector (in other words, a pilot) with six chargers connected to it (without gadgets) into a special device that measures energy. The device showed energy consumption of 0.3 watts. At American prices - 79 cents per year. If in rubles, then 58.7. The amount is small, but we leave not only smartphone chargers in the sockets, but also kettles, TVs, and multicookers.
To avoid constantly switching appliances off and on, use extension cords with an off button: with their help, you can turn off all appliances with one movement of your finger.
Housing and communal services scammers. How we are deceived with electricity meters Read more
Solar power plants
Today this is one of the most expensive ways to generate electricity. The main reason is the high cost of solar panels; it is not yet possible to reduce the cost of their production while simultaneously increasing efficiency and service life. If this goal is achieved, generating electricity using solar panels will become one of the most convenient and cheapest options.
Thus, the cheapest electricity is provided by hydroelectric power plants and nuclear power plants, the next step is occupied by thermal power plants. Unfortunately, there is no real alternative to them yet.
We monitor the equipment
By the way, about teapots. This is one of the most energy-consuming household appliances. Experts recommend regularly cleaning them from scale, which increases the boiling time of water and, accordingly, electricity consumption. In addition, you should pour only enough water for a couple of cups of tea or coffee. If you need half a liter of boiling water, and you fill the kettle to the maximum, it will boil three times longer and the energy consumption will be greater.
But for washing machines and dishwashers, electricity consumption does not depend on the loaded laundry and dishes. So it’s most profitable to wash/clean dishes when the machines are fully loaded.
Thermal stations
Thermal power plants usually run on coal; small stations may use gas or fuel oil. The cost of electricity produced from them is higher than that of nuclear power plants and hydroelectric power plants. Nevertheless, it is at thermal stations that the bulk of electrical energy is currently generated.
The main advantage of thermal stations is high safety. Like nuclear power plants, thermal power plants produce large amounts of steam, which is used for space heating and other household needs.
