I recently updated to wp8.1, i noticed that the battery drainage happens when you're actually using your phone. I have 10-15% battery drain per hour on heavy/moderate use. When on idle/locked 1-2% only in every 2 hours. I didn't hard reset my phone, but did some tweaks i saw on forums to conserve battery life.
This
If my phone is on the desk with the screen facing down (meaning the screen does not turn on when something arrives) then it is drained like 0.000000000000000001% pero hour (well, I'm exagerating a little bit but you get the idea) BUT when I'. doing something, the battery drains faster. Not super fast but yes, somewhat fast.
Personally, I got better battery life
but with a sacrifice. Mail is synched only once every 2 hours and I check whatsapp every 30 mins or so (average, sometimes I stick to it for 15 mins, sometimes I forget about it anc check 1 hour later). It's my personal phone, so no work mail on it (which would mean to synch constantly).
I have not tried 2g but I am not too fond of it. My acquired the phone with a plan and part of the fee is the high speed internet... so not using it makes me feel like I'm wasting my money (just the way I felt when I paid 3 months of World of Warcraft and didn't play hahaha)
Anyways, if you want my advise (I don't know why would you... I'm kinda crazy) leave your non prioritary mail accountos to synch every 2 hours or even leave them to synch manually. Turn off all background apps unless you're really into them (chats, social networks) and check 'em only now and then.
In the end, it all deppends on how you use your phone.
... I think I could have just said that without making this such a huge post hehe. Sorry