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Old 04-30-2009, 10:11 PM
 
66 posts, read 208,057 times
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We are buying a 2600 square foot home in Cary, built in 2001. It is in great shape. Nothing Energy Star I am aware of, as far as appliances go.
Gas heat
Gas water heater
Gas fireplace
Electric stove
Central air, electric too.
Additionally, unless my kids are just real dirty from play at the end of the day, baths are every other day, and I only use cold water in the wash. We run the dishwasher once a day and never use the rinse cycle. I stay at home and we have six people in our family, only my husband is gone during the day. We try to be utility conscience, but want to know what we can be expecting upon our move back. Thank you for any help you can give.
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Old 05-01-2009, 05:30 AM
 
Location: Cary, NC
792 posts, read 4,476,185 times
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The biggest utility cost is heating and cooling your home. You didn't mention what temps you like to keep your thermostat at, but that will have the single biggest impact on your bills.
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Old 05-01-2009, 05:39 AM
 
Location: Virginia (again)
2,697 posts, read 8,671,879 times
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We kept our air at 74 in the summer and heat around 66 in the winter. Our home was about 3800 square feet (roughly 50% bigger than your home) and we paid around $250 on average for gas and electric. Our house was built in 2006 and wasn't energy star. I would think $200/month would be conservative. I believe you can call the gas and electric company and find out what the current residents bills are, but as the PP said, it can vary so much based on how hot/cold you keep your home. As far as water, if you don't irrigate your lawn I would think you'd be around $50-$75/month. Cary has tiered water pricing and it gets very expensive if you aren't careful. If you do irrigate your lawn it could be much more expensive (we had over a $300 bill one month for a quarter acre).

Last edited by sls76; 05-01-2009 at 06:18 AM..
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Old 05-01-2009, 07:10 AM
 
66 posts, read 208,057 times
Reputation: 38
Default Cary water and utilities forecast on home purchase

"The biggest utility cost is heating and cooling your home. You didn't mention what temps you like to keep your thermostat at, but that will have the single biggest impact on your bills."

We keep our thermostats at 68 in winter and at 76 in summer. The lot is one third of an acre, landscaped. However, we will not have the extra money to spend on irrigating. Maybe we'll try rain buckets. Thank you for your help!

Last edited by MissingNC; 05-01-2009 at 07:15 AM.. Reason: Left out important information.
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Old 05-01-2009, 07:59 AM
 
Location: Cary, NC
792 posts, read 4,476,185 times
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My house sounds a lot like yours, about the same size, with gas water & heat and central A/C. We use programmable thermostats and set the A/C at 79 from 6am to 6pm and 74 from 6pm to 6am. The heat is set at 62 from 6am to 4pm, 65 from 4pm to 10pm, and then back to 62. Gas heat is very expensive -and I have a 95% efficient gas heater.

gas bills for the past year:

04/06/2009 $52.51
03/06/2009 $121.72
02/04/2009 $172.43
01/06/2009 $134.51
12/03/2008 $108.85
11/03/2008 $41.34
10/06/2008 $25.78
09/05/2008 $20.63
08/06/2008 $25.94
07/08/2008 $24.09
06/05/2008 $27.69
05/06/2008 $32.81
04/07/2008 $55.95

electric bills for the last year:
4/3/2009 $47.57
3/4/2009 $63.04
2/3/2009 $82.26
1/5/2009 $69.08
12/2/2008 $73.61
11/4/2008 $46.65
10/3/2008 $67.43
9/4/2008 $71.29
8/5/2008 $110.83
7/3/2008 $110.74
6/4/2008 $47.72
5/5/2008 $39.56
4/3/2008 $47.88
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Old 05-01-2009, 02:33 PM
 
66 posts, read 208,057 times
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Thank you so much. This really helps.
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Old 05-01-2009, 07:05 PM
 
Location: Cary, NC
2,407 posts, read 10,658,646 times
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I believe you can call the utility company, give them the address, and find out average costs for the last year.
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Old 05-02-2009, 12:14 PM
 
Location: Triangle NC
426 posts, read 1,487,265 times
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Sounds similar as to what we have Our house is 2500-2600 sq ft, built in 1999 and located in Cary. We have a gas range, energy star fridge and a high efficiency washer/dryer.

Natural Gas May 2008 - April 2009:

M $38.18
J $38.99
J $36.82
A $36.58
S $41.89
O $39.38
N $57.22
D $142.52
J $120.10
F $146.26
M $111.39
A $45.57

Electricity May 2008 - April 2009:

M $43.87
J $104.56
J $147.40
A $114.01
S $95.28
O $59.18
N $68.63
D $103.62
J $107.45
F $98.22
M $86.81
A $63.29

Water + Trash bill is usually in the $40's. Highest bill over the last 12 months was $54.09 in July/Aug period (filling up the kiddie pool, kids playing in the sprayer etc.).

We try to conserve as much as possible. Our a/c is at 80 during the day, 78 at night (extreme heat we might do 78 day/76 night) + celing fans Heat 65 during the day, 63 at night. We use electric oil filled radiator heaters in our childrens rooms during the winter. They are very efficient energy, heat and cost wise. We are upstairs the majority of the time, we very rarely put the a/c on on the main level and the heat gets turned down to 55 at night. Lived here about 18 months and weve only used the fireplace twice.

I am a stay at home mom and home most of the time, so that impacts usage. We are a family of 4 humans + a 5th on the way + 1 pup Im at what some of my neighbors are paying for the same size house etc., some of their bills are DOUBLE.

Yes, you can contact the utility companies for the average cost, but keep in mind that usage may vary greatly. Progress Energy (electricity) was able to give me an average monthly amnt (12 bills/12) and the previous owners had an average bill of $180 per MONTH ! PSNC Energy (natural gas) gave me high/low $ amnts and the previous owners high bill was $425 for February 2007 ! Obviously conserving energy/saving money wasnt a priority.

Best of luck with your move!
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Old 05-02-2009, 06:46 PM
 
66 posts, read 208,057 times
Reputation: 38
I never considered electric oil filled radiator heaters! What kind do you have? And what would you recommend them for? Our new home has the master downstairs, and three bedrooms upstairs. So mainly, our main area will be downstairs, and with heat rising and us keeping it at about 68 or so during the day in winter, could we benefit from buying these? We would have to buy three since we have four kids in three separate bedrooms. Thank you!
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Old 05-03-2009, 02:50 PM
 
Location: Triangle NC
426 posts, read 1,487,265 times
Reputation: 238
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissingNC View Post
I never considered electric oil filled radiator heaters! What kind do you have? And what would you recommend them for? Our new home has the master downstairs, and three bedrooms upstairs. So mainly, our main area will be downstairs, and with heat rising and us keeping it at about 68 or so during the day in winter, could we benefit from buying these? We would have to buy three since we have four kids in three separate bedrooms. Thank you!
We moved here from MA in 2007. In our old house the thermostat was in our master bedroom and keeping the childrens rooms at a comfortable temp meant that it got too warm in our room.

We decided to turn the temp down and get the electric oil filled radiator heaters for their rooms since they are one of the safer type of heaters and dont get scolding hot. It really works great. We dont have to bundle the kids, with the heaters, a lightweight comforter and cotton long sleeve/pants they stay warm all night.

Our heaters are made by Pelonis. Its the smallest model available, I think its 7 fins. We use them on the lowest setting otherwise it makes the room to warm. I remember using them in our old home's walkout basement before we installed heat. On its highest setting it could sufficiently heat the entire basement! Youve seen my electric bill! Its much more energy efficient to use these for the kids and turn the heat down to 63 (which Dh and I find comfortable).

This is similar to what we have:

Walmart.com: Pelonis Oil-Filled Radiator Heater: Home Improvement

Were going to have to buy a 3rd one for the new nursery
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