Estimate for Monthly Bills (Wake Forest, Star: home owners insurance, appliances, new)

[mwhickey]

I am trying to estimate what our monthly bills/utilities will be when we move to Heritage Wake Forest. Does this look right based on a 3500 sq ft home? I know gas/power will range depending on time of year so i am using average.

Monthly Expenses

Power - 250
Gas - 150
Cable - 100
Home Owners Insurance - 100

[mdp_az]

Your average gas bill in winter will be higher - more like $200+ from Nov - Feb. In summer, it shouldn't be much more than $25.

If you live efficiently, you should be able to keep your electricity down to $50-75 in the winter months and $150-200 in the summer.

Your cable estimate is about right unless you intend that to include internet, in which case it will be closer to $150.

For reference, we are a family of 3 living in a new 2900 sq ft home and we are efficient, utilizing energy star appliances, CFLs, etc... and our utility costs come in well under your estimates, and actully well under even those I've given you above.

[MikeNC29]

Are you planning on buying a new home? If you are, I would ask the builder if they have an independent 3rd party certify their homes as Energy Star, and if they don't, I would look elsewhere. Without testing the tightness of the ducts and the house you will not know what you are getting yourself into. Just as important is how well the insulation was installed, and you cannot always trust city code officials to know what they are looking for regarding the correct installation of insulation.

Mike

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

An example of yearly utility expenses for a 1,500 sq/ft North Raleigh area home