[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Sorry guys, but I wouldn't purchase a home with electric heat either. My first home had it, and in a state where utilities are the highest in the country, it really broke the bank.

This is one area where I, personally, wouldn't budge.

^^ This. Exactly this.

Especially because nep likes to keep his toes toasty in the winter.

Seriously, I'm one of those people who has a "must have," a "like to have" and a "absolutely cannot have" list when looking for a house.

Absolutely cannot haves: electric heating and a swimming pool (I don't swim and I don't want the liability and expense of something that I'm not going to use).

I don't keep my heat up to 75 -- not even close -- but that would be impossible with electric heating. $$$$$

I'm also one of those people who is blinded by something great (oh look! shiny!), and then I overlook the bad. But when it comes to the "absolutely cannot have" list, I don't even go look at the house. So "oh look! shiny!" can't even come into play.

The "must have" and the "absolutely cannot have" lists are crucial when looking for a house, although you might find that some "must have" items eventually make their way to the "like to have" list (and you don't get them).

[nep321]

Originally Posted by willow wind

You're not likely to find natural gas heat in those very suburban or country locations you favor. Much too expensive for the gas company to run lines to spread out homes on big lots. Natural gas tends to be a city or subdivision amenity. That doesn't mean never, but simply much less likely.

You will more commonly find electric heat, oil heat and sometimes individual propane gas services ( either a buried tank or canister tanks).

As for keeping it 75 degrees, good luck with that. In an apartment where the heat may be included with your rent and you are cozily tucked in with another unit above, below or next to you, keeping the cold at bay, you can afford 75 degrees.

When you're paying by the gallon on your own- 75 degrees is cash going ka-ching, ka- ching out the window. I think you'll soon learn to do what the rest of us tend to do, lower the heat, add another layer of clothes and perhaps start looking into a wood or pellet stove, etc .

I refuse to "lower the heat" and wear sweaters and bulky clothing, in the comfort of my own home. How depressing that would be. When it's cold in my home, I get depressed and my mind is focused on staying warm, the whole time. One of my biggest pet peaves is being indoors, in a house that's below 70 degrees. I gave my parents hell for this, when I used to live with them. If I can't have the comfort of being able to wear a T-shirt indoors, during the winter, then I don't want the house. This is one of those things that are in my "absolutely must have" list. Even if it means not being able to buy a house. I'd rather rent for that matter.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by nep321

I refuse to "lower the heat" and wear sweaters and bulky clothing, in the comfort of my own home. How depressing that would be. When it's cold in my home, I get depressed and my mind is focused on staying warm, the whole time. One of my biggest pet peaves is being indoors, in a house that's below 70 degrees. I gave my parents hell for this, when I used to live with them. If I can't have the comfort of being able to wear a T-shirt indoors, during the winter, then I don't want the house. This is one of those things that are in my "absolutely must have" list. Even if it means not being able to buy a house. I'd rather rent for that matter.

You'll change your tune really fast once you see how much it costs to fill up your oil tank!

[nep321]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

You'll change your tune really fast once you see how much it costs to fill up your oil tank!

If I have gas or oil heating, I am budgeting for about $120 a month on a 1,000 sq ft home, during peak winter months. That is, leaving the heat at around 70-75 degrees, depending on the house. I would shut the heat off during business hours. Does this sound realistic?

[JViello]

Originally Posted by nep321

If I have gas or oil heating, I am budgeting for about $120 a month on a 1,000 sq ft home, during peak winter months. That is, leaving the heat at around 70-75 degrees, depending on the house. I would shut the heat off during business hours. Does this sound realistic?

lol NO! You are about to see the pain you inflicted on your "heat included" landlord.

@75* you will probably blow through about 100 gallons a month at least. Do the math Mr Accountant.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by nep321

If I have gas or oil heating, I am budgeting for about $120 a month on a 1,000 sq ft home, during peak winter months. That is, leaving the heat at around 70-75 degrees, depending on the house. I would shut the heat off during business hours. Does this sound realistic?

At 75 degrees, you're probably looking at double that - AT LEAST! I could be wrong - maybe someone with a similarly sized home can chime in.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by nep321

That one is nice, but probably won't fit into my budget. Plus, there's only like 10 feet between neighboring houses, which is a major turn off. Might as well get a condo (which I won't do).

The price listed is the asking price, not what you are going to pay. You could offer much lower and see where they go. As for the closeness of the houses, remember you are just starting out and need to compromise on some of your wish list items. If this is too urban for you then I would recommend looking further out and east of the Connecticut River. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by nep321

If I have gas or oil heating, I am budgeting for about $120 a month on a 1,000 sq ft home, during peak winter months. That is, leaving the heat at around 70-75 degrees, depending on the house. I would shut the heat off during business hours. Does this sound realistic?

70-75 degrees??? Are you kidding? In the dead of winter this will seem positively balmy. More realistic to set the temp at 68 when you are home during the day, 64 overnight and when you are not home. That will really save you. Jay

[nep321]

Originally Posted by JayCT

70-75 degrees??? Are you kidding? In the dead of winter this will seem positively balmy. More realistic to set the temp at 68 when you are home during the day, 64 overnight and when you are not home. That will really save you. Jay

Are you kidding? 68 degrees is cold for an indoor environment during the winter. It's also easier to get sick that way, for me. Overnight is when I turn the heat up the highest....well, between 6AM and 8AM it's the highest, because that's when it's the coldest outside. There's nothing worse than getting out of bed into a cold room in the morning.

@ JViello: Heat is not included in my rent. I have to pay for it. And this past winter, the highest peak gas heating cost for me was $111.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by nep321

Are you kidding? 68 degrees is cold for an indoor environment during the winter. It's also easier to get sick that way, for me. Overnight is when I turn the heat up the highest....well, between 6AM and 8AM it's the highest, because that's when it's the coldest outside. There's nothing worse than getting out of bed into a cold room in the morning.

@ JViello: Heat is not included in my rent. I have to pay for it. And this past winter, the highest peak gas heating cost for me was $111.

You're going to have a serious monthly bill, then. I have mine on a timer. At 10 pm, it drops to 63 - At 6 am, it's set to go up to 68. Why would you need heat at night? You're under a blanket anyway.

You might want to look into a pellet stove...