Utility costs, considering the weather (Los Angeles, San Jose: rent, house, utilities)

[Userdavey]

The unit cost for natural gas, electricity, and water is probably way more in LA than here in Colorado Springs.

But with the milder weather there, you surely won't use as many energy units for heating/cooling as you would here.

I think my December heating bill alone was $200 here in Colo Spgs.

I run my A/C five hours a day from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

I also have a big yard that gulps massive amounts of water.

So, can some of you who are like me (40, married, 2 kids) tell me what you pay for utilities for like a 1200-1500 sf single family home?

Also, if I were to live nearer the beach, would I need much A/C in the summer?

[KnoxTown]

I spend like 50 bucks a month for Gas and Electric.

[ksmoe]

I am from Baltimore area and my gas and electric bill for this winter is above $500 per month. We have 50 yrs old rancher with new windows. Total household = 5 adults + 2 kids.
About $200 during the summer.
My wife's relative with large house had a bill close to 1K.
That is what fu*ked up by deregulation in Maryland.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Userdavey

Also, if I were to live nearer the beach, would I need much A/C in the summer?

If you are near the beach you won't need A/C hardly at all except for two situations: monsoonal events in late July and early August when even the beach temperatures hit 90F and the upper 70s F at night and Santa Ana Wind events which hit in fall into winter. It can hit the mid 80s F for days in December.

[sonarrat]

I rent a 1200 sf house in San Jose, which has a similar climate to Los Angeles. 1948 house with no upgraded windows and plenty of loose weatherstripping.. we pay about $120 a month for all utilities. Water, garbage, electric, and gas. We keep the heat at about 62.

[Alter]

About 4 miles from the beach, 1600-1700 sq ft, 40's ranch, original windows, not a scrap of insulation. House doesn't have a/c no need for it. Gas and electric run $50-$200 a month (summer/winter) could be far less but my husband likes his comfort and electronics.

[happ]

There are homes near the beach that need every little heating or cooling [in-fact many homes do not have AC]. But just a few miles inland it is hotter in summer & AC is recommended unless you like to sweat

[Userdavey]

Thanks for the replies. I guess in Colo Spgs. my total utility bill is like this:

(Gas, elec, water, and wastewater are all combined) - $220.00

DirecTV for 2 sets and 7 mbps internet - $105.00

Cell phone for 3 lines (AT&T unlimited texting 450 anytime) - $100.00

Trash removal - $22.00

I like to lump them all together as utilities to make things simple.
So this is for a 3 bed 2 bath 2 car single family home.

How does this compare with the bills out in LALA land?

[ffej]

Living right on the bluffs in South Shores, I spent about $550 every two months for LADWP services (water, electric, sewer, trash). Gas was about $100-150 per month in the winter and maybe $35 the rest of the year. No AC, but the pool pump and hot tub certainly used a fair amount of electricity. Since most homes in L.A. are older, they usually aren't too energy efficient or well insulated unless totally remodeled.

[happ]

ffej;7998658]Living right on the bluffs in South Shores, I spent about $550 every two months for LADWP services (water, electric, sewer, trash). Gas was about $100-150 per month in the winter and maybe $35 the rest of the year. No AC, but the pool pump and hot tub certainly used a fair amount of electricity. Since most homes in L.A. are older, they usually aren't too energy efficient or well insulated unless totally remodeled.

Quite correct but sad. I live in a 100 yr old house w/ no insulation between dry wall & exterior wood. Strong winds sorta blow thru the house but on hot 'santa ana' nights the wind feels great My furnace broke down one winter & it was easy living without it since there is a fireplace. But by late June it was very uncomfortable & had to install a new system. In my opinion, LA is too humid during summer to not have AC.