Huntsfield in Charles Town, WV (HOA, how much, month to)

[newtowv]

Hello All,

About to move in the Huntsfield division in Charles Town.

I am just trying to get an idea of (monthly) utility costs in that area as I am having a hard time getting good data.

Home has metered (I believe) propane coming in from storage tanks and a back-up heat pump for second floor.

Large house but most lights will be off and the thermostats will be set quite low 60 in the winter. Water use will probably be kinda high though.

any input is greatly appreciated.

[wvaspartan]

I live there and we spend 165 a month on budget (read same cost each month) on propane but we also have the Heater to 72 in the winter. So you would be less by far.

[spunkydawg]

We average around $240/mo on our propane tank, and $130/mo on electricity. I'd venture to guess your amts will be lower than that though -- 60 in the winter? Yikes! (that's icicles hanging from my moustache)

Our water is free (sorta), we have our own well.

You'll probably also have to pay $27/mo for trash collection.

[newtowv]

Originally Posted by spunkydawg

We average around $240/mo on our propane tank, and $130/mo on electricity. I'd venture to guess your amts will be lower than that though -- 60 in the winter? Yikes! (that's icicles hanging from my moustache)

Our water is free (sorta), we have our own well.

You'll probably also have to pay $27/mo for trash collection.

Thanks for the info! I was under the impression it was natural gas and noticed a propane tank so I figured costs would be higher...we recently moved to the area from interior Alaska and 60-62 degrees should suffice for the winter...but we shall see.

Free water sounds like a plus but you kinda threw in sorta...lol...is it a case by case basis? Thanks again and what is your opinion of the neighborhood...too late to disuade me now.

[wvaspartan]

Water isnt free and as far as I know we cant have wells in Huntfield. Water is from the City and depending on how much you use it is metered at a steady rate per 1000 gallons. Worst bill we had was 125 for water and sewer. Trash collection is part of HOA payment.

You can pay propane in three ways...up front payment (cheapest rate they say) with what they believe will be your usage for the year, budget plan which is again based on what they think you will use but is charged monthly at a set amount which would only change once a year, and month to month which has a flexible rate based on monthly propane cost and the charge is you usage for the month so it can be REALLY high in winter and next to nothing in summer.

[newtowv]

Originally Posted by wvaspartan

Water isnt free and as far as I know we cant have wells in Huntfield. Water is from the City and depending on how much you use it is metered at a steady rate per 1000 gallons. Worst bill we had was 125 for water and sewer. Trash collection is part of HOA payment.

You can pay propane in three ways...up front payment (cheapest rate they say) with what they believe will be your usage for the year, budget plan which is again based on what they think you will use but is charged monthly at a set amount which would only change once a year, and month to month which has a flexible rate based on monthly propane cost and the charge is you usage for the month so it can be REALLY high in winter and next to nothing in summer.

Thanks a lot for the info. Helps out quite a bit.

[spunkydawg]

Originally Posted by newtowv

Free water sounds like a plus but you kinda threw in sorta...lol...is it a case by case basis? Thanks again and what is your opinion of the neighborhood...too late to disuade me now.

Sorry, I should have mentioned I'm not actually in Huntsfield, just live near Charles Town, thus I felt qualified to give estimates on utilities. Hope I didn't throw you off.

Where we live we have our own well, and by sorta free I just meant that we still have to pay for water softener salt and the water softener (conditioning) machine itself.