is your electric bill a lot higher with a 3rd floor apt? (Gilbert: apartment)

[raqueljune]

I'm moving to Gilbert in a couple weeks and getting around a 1100 sqft 2-bedroom apt. I would rather it be on the top floor so the view out the windows and on the balcony is better and so that I don't hear people above me walking around.

My only real concern is how much worse my electric bill will be on the top floor from it being hotter. Will it make a big difference?

Also, how bad is my water bill going to be?

Thanks!

[adolpho]

after the offset for lower heating cost; I will estimate an extra 120-200 per year for an 1100 sf condo. Go for northern exposure. Avoid southern, and shade the heck out of eastern and western.
Cathedral ceilings on the top floors can add more, but skylights can save you a few.

[lyzzard]

Our electric was lower for a larger apartment on the first floor than for one in the middle of a one story tri-plex. Our summer bill costs $100 more than it use to, minimum. Some of that is because it's an older building, but I think being on the first floor facing west made a huge difference compared to now. My mom has a north/south facing home with better insulation and our electric bills are about the same, even though she has 3x's as much space.

It'll be interesting for us to see what our bill will be when we move into an actual home.

[raqueljune]

Thanks!

I guess I'm just a little scared... I'm getting a really nice place for $800/mo, but I'm used to having an electric bill about $120/mo having my water bill included, and I'm wondering how much that's going to end up costing in AZ...

[adolpho]

water is probably included in your rent. Mine is included in my hoa fee. If you have a newer a/c; you're looking at three high bills of about 160 each +/-.