MOving to Portland, Maybe (appliances, how much, modular home)

[ladyj1945]

I recently bid on a home in Portland, TN. The inspection was done and some things needed to be fixed by the seller. One thing I forgot to ask was the amount of a normal electric and gas bill per month. I called the companies with the address and was told the gas was close to $300 a month each month and electric was between $300 and $400 per month.

I live in Michigan now in a modular home and my gas is $81 per month and electric is $85 a month on a budget. Never has it gone over $130 during the worse winters. There has to be something wrong for bills to be this high. Leaks, no insillation.

I'm suppose to close on this house Aug 1st, but now thinking I should bail out unless seller will get necessary tests done to find out where the energy is going. I'll be living on $952 in Social
Security. With bills that high, I won't be able to pay for my meds or buy food.

This house has been vacant for two years but these bills go back to 2004. I would think the previous owner would have complained.


Does anyone have any advice for me as I really like the house, neighborhood and was wanting to get out of Michigan.

Thank you

[artemis]

You might want to post this in the Nashville forum. They would be more familiar with your area.

[46Barb]

How big is this home in Portland? Those rates you were given don't sound right at all. It sounds like you have gas heating and the electric is just for appliances & lights. Is this correct? I have a 2,500 sq ft home that is all electric including the heating and pay as little as $85 a month when heat/ac not in use to anywhere from $120-$200 a month depending on how much heat/ac is being used.

[DonCorleone]

Barb's figures sound correct to me too. I can't imagine utilities running as high as you were quoted...

[ladyj1945]

Originally Posted by 46Barb

How big is this home in Portland? Those rates you were given don't sound right at all. It sounds like you have gas heating and the electric is just for appliances & lights. Is this correct? I have a 2,500 sq ft home that is all electric including the heating and pay as little as $85 a month when heat/ac not in use to anywhere from $120-$200 a month depending on how much heat/ac is being used.

Thank you,

This house is 1229 sq ft brick home. Gas is for heat only but the bill is added to water, sewage and trash removal. Electric is for everything else.

They are doing a energy audit today and I'll have the report by tomorrow. So far they found that there was no insillation under the house or a moisture barrier. That has been taken care of.Could be the very cause of the high bills. I can see $80 a month and up to $150 during the winter when it really gets cold. Your idea of cold and mine are different. That may change the longer I live down there.

Will post as soon as I get the report and know where all the extra energy was going. Thanks.