Cost of Electricity, Gas, and water? (Atlanta, East Point: appointed, apartment, rent)

[wheatfly]

Can people tell me how much their monthly bills average. I know this is going to be a huge range depending on a ton of variables but I'm curious. Especially older houses in older neighborhoods.

My wife and I are looking to buy a house (our first) and have a wide range of what we are looking at. More interested in location, location, location than shiny new or shiny remodeled. We absolutely love old neighborhoods with old houses big and small, walkablility, close grocery, and parks. We've looked at turnkey renovations down to the studs, new houses, old houses, and fixer uppers all over the city.

Grant Park
Candler Park
Midtown
Morningside
East Atlanta
Kirkwood
Buckhead
Highland
Lenox Park
Linburg
Decatur
Cabbagetown
Old Fourth Ward

Currently we rent (just my wife and I) a 2/1 and a half 1100 sq.ft. house in East Point. It was renovated before we moved in, good quality not some of the flipped crap we have seen searching for a house, has new appliances, hot water heater, windows, and is pretty tight for a 1950s house. Old Insulation in the ceiling/ attic, nothing in the basement.

Prior to this we lived in an apartment in another city.

I would like to get some data points for what it costs on some older homes and new homes that are maybe less than tight or with older parts.


Just post.

Approx house size.
neighborhood location
any significant improvements, old stuff or known areas that could be changed.

gas (high/low)
electric (high/low)
water
trash


Thanks

[wheatfly]

OOpps can the moderator move this to the Atlanta Forum? Or can someone tell me how to do it myself???

Thanks

[cityrover]

Its high. Utilities are high in the metro, sadly.

It depends on which companies you go with (if you have a choice) but for power, with taxes and all its like 14cents for KW (its actually 11 on the bill fyi). Gas; well that depends on market rate but at least 30-40% of your bill will be taxes. In the summer, 90% of your gas will be taxes.

Sewage is 1.5x the cost of actual water. 40-50$ should cover you unless you water a yard or get a bypass meter (no sewage cost for landscape water)

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by cityrover

Its high. Utilities are high in the metro, sadly.

Everything is relative. Utility costs in the Atlanta area are actually quite cheap compared to many other parts of the country. If you came from one of the few places where things are less expensive, then you might be disappointed. Most people aren't.

Nat Gas has been the cheapest that I have ever seen it over the last few months. Electricity here is several cents/KWH less than most other parts of the country. GA Power has some of the lowest rates in the US (we have Cobb EMC). Water here in Cobb is about the same as what I paid up north. Gasoline in GA is still lower than the US average.

My highest electric bill with Cobb EMC (moved into the house 9/07) was just under $400 this July. August just came and it's $320. Bear in mind that it's a larger house with multiple A/C units. That's not too bad, given the heat (we keep thermostats around 75/76) here in the summer time and all the appliances and computers. I use all CFL and everything is energy star.

Our Nat Gas has never been higher than $200/mo (we have gas heat, hot water, fireplace, and cooktop) during the winter (program thermostat never higher than 68) and this year should be much less, given the big rate drops over the last few months. I locked into a historically low rate for 12 months. During the summer, the gas bill is nominal, based only on hot water and cooking use.

I contrast these bills with our $400/mo Nat Gas up north and $200/mo electric bills (w/o any A/C) during the winter and summer in a smaller house.

[cityrover]

Utilities in GA were cheap years ago, now they are no longer.

GA has been well within the national average for gasoline prices lately.

Things have changed.

jackson emc > cobb emc > ga power

i wish i got jackson emc here. makes me wish to move