cost of utilities? (Alexandria, Washington: appliances, townhouse, tenant)

[katelt1979]

Can anyone give me a monthly estimate for gas, electric & water in a 2-car garage townhome (not an end unit)? I am trying to put a monthly household budget together before we move in and I have no idea what these things cost in VA. Oh - and our place is in Alexandria.

Thanks!

[statecollege]

How many bedrooms? Three stories or two? How many in the family? Ages of any children? Type of heat? Do you cook and bake a lot or eat out often? Do you turn on the heat or a/c liberally or conservatively? These all make a difference.

[car54]

Dominion Power and Washington Gas bills have the previous year's usage broken down by month. It just gives the therms and KWh's used, but you can figure it out from there.

Maybe the seller or previous tenant will show you their old bills? Of course, individual lifestyles affect usage, but it might give you an idea what that very unit consumed over the past year.

Failing that, maybe the utility company would give you the figures....

[katelt1979]

I'll check with Dominion Power & Washington Gas. I was just looking for a ballpark figure. Its just me and my husband, 3-level townhouse, dual-zoned. Thanks anyways.

[michgc]

Well, we live in a 1950's ranch with 3 kids so it'll be different, but we pay about $300-$400 in winter for gas (Jan.-Feb) and a bit less in December and March ($200-$300). It slowly decreases to less than $50 from May until October. Our electric is about $100 year-round - maybe closer to $200 in the summer, but our house is a fairly cool house with lots of shade trees and I don't like to be cold so I don't run the air too high. Our appliances are all electric and I like to cook and bake a lot. Hope that helps some.