how much do you pay for heat in chicago? (budget, apartments)

[bxlefty23]

Im thinking of moving from NYC to chicago for a year or 2 and I was looking at rentals on craigslist. Some include heat and some dont. How much should i expect to pay for heat for 2 people in a 2 bedroom apt?
thanks

[Windy City John]

depends on the heat factor between the 2 occupants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by bxlefty23

Im thinking of moving from NYC to chicago for a year or 2 and I was looking at rentals on craigslist. Some include heat and some dont. How much should i expect to pay for heat for 2 people in a 2 bedroom apt?
thanks

This totally depends on how drafty your apartment is. In the winter, I've paid as little as $150 per month in a coachhouse and as much as $350 per month in a 2 bedroom. Bottom line, if you can find a place that includes heat that's really nice; however, the downfall is you often don't have control over the heat.

[bxlefty23]

wow im used to rent being included in every apt in ny
thanks for the info

[Chicago60614]

^ I live in an apartment in the city, and it's usually lower in an apartment with all the other units around you.

I had the heat running all last month and my bill I just got was only $34. Just turn it off when you leave and you'll save a ton. The highest I've ever had was last February when it was up around $80. Electricity is normally between $15 in the winter and $60 in the summer. Of course this is a 1 bedroom apartment in the city, I'm sure a house or spread out townhomes would be higher since you have more exposed walls.

[Steve-o]

I usually average between 40-60$ a month for a 2 BR, 2 BA. Not bad, really. I keep it kinda low, around 70-71 degrees or so.

[NYrules]

Do yourself a favor and call Nicor and ask how much it would be per month to go on the budget plan for the address. That way your bills will be the same per month. Plan on $50-100 a mo.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

I usually average between 40-60$ a month for a 2 BR, 2 BA. Not bad, really. I keep it kinda low, around 70-71 degrees or so.

BTW, my estimates were based on keeping the temp below 70 degrees. Again, it just depends on the quality of the apartment.

[j33]

It depends on a myriad of factors. Older apartments have older windows and that might cause your heat to go up. I live in one of those older apartments, so my winter heating bills have been known to get up to 150 or so for my one bedroom (I'm also paying for the gas for our communal dryer ... the other tenant pays the electricity for our communal washer). I do the budget plan, so I just give the gas co. about 85 a month. I have a programmable thermostat so I keep it low during the day and when I go to bed.

Be careful about turning the heat completely off in the winter, you don't want your pipes to freeze.

[aragx6]

Seems like a raw deal for you j33! Gas is way more expensive than electric.