Utility bill (Somerville, Norwood: apartment complex, rental, how much)

[M_Arp09]

Hey everyone. I have a few questions on whether or not anyone might know an average electric bill will run using electric heat. I'm looking to move to Norwood area and looking at some of the houses and apartments to rent. They have electric baseboard heaters and heat isn't included in utilities. Hopefully someone can help me out with an idea of how much it would cost monthly. An average 1 bedroom apartment approx 800 sq ft. Thanks!

[wolfgang239]

This number can vary widely depending on many conditions. Off the top of my head, I can think of ceiling height, insulation, windows, doors, location of unit in building, and cost per kWh (which will be going up for winter). Electricity is one of the most expensive ways to heat. I assume you are talking about electric baseboard heating, and if so...

Don't do it. Find something else. Run, quickly.

[BostonCollege]

My electricity bill for heating was never more than 50 in a new construction one bedroom apartment on the 4 floor of 8 floor building with Windows on one side and no balcony. As Wolfgang correctly said YMMV.

[M_Arp09]

Thanks for the help! I will definitely look at finding a place with gas!

[ormari]

Originally Posted by M_Arp09

Hey everyone. I have a few questions on whether or not anyone might know an average electric bill will run using electric heat. I'm looking to move to Norwood area and looking at some of the houses and apartments to rent. They have electric baseboard heaters and heat isn't included in utilities. Hopefully someone can help me out with an idea of how much it would cost monthly. An average 1 bedroom apartment approx 800 sq ft. Thanks!

As others have noted, electric heat can be expensive in NE and a lot depends on the construction of the dwelling. I have known people who have paid very little for electric heat, and known people who have paid a lot.

I wonder if you can turn up any info on what previous tenants paid. The local utility isn't likely to give you copies of the bills but they might give you an annual consumption for the address. If it is in an apartment complex, perhaps you could ask one of the present tenants. Maybe talk with the landlord about it too, with the understanding that they may or may not be forthcoming.

[Dm84]

The electric company can tell you how many kWh were consumed if you give them the address and explain you're interested in renting there.

I also want to point out you should do the same with the gas company if you find a place with gas heat. Many rental units are poorly insulated and you could find the gas consumption is much higher than you expect it to be.

[timberline742]

I have electric heat in an old triple decker in Somerville. It gets very expensive. I keep it off most of the time when I'm not there, honestly, or very low in portions of it. My place is less than 800 sq feet and in the coldest mos, even with a third party supplier at a locked in lower rate, it can exceed $250-300 a month. That's with plastic on some of the windows and draft guards under the door.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by timberline742

I have electric heat in an old triple decker in Somerville. It gets very expensive. I keep it off most of the time when I'm not there, honestly, or very low in portions of it. My place is less than 800 sq feet and in the coldest mos, even with a third party supplier at a locked in lower rate, it can exceed $250-300 a month. That's with plastic on some of the windows and draft guards under the door.

I hope the rent is cheap!

[sawyer2]

Originally Posted by Dm84

The electric company can tell you how many kWh were consumed if you give them the address and explain you're interested in renting there.

I also want to point out you should do the same with the gas company if you find a place with gas heat. Many rental units are poorly insulated and you could find the gas consumption is much higher than you expect it to be.

....if you know the address/apt. # you can call the utility companies and ask what the highest and lowest bills were over the previous winter or two and that will give you a good range ....assuming the apartment/house was occupied of course.

This is what I do when future tenants ask me about heating costs.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Dm84

I hope the rent is cheap!

Not cheap, but well below market.