[L39]

I am transferring to the Lakeland, fl.area next year. What is the average monthly electricity cost
during the summer months? Also would like any small town recommendations southwest of Lakeland?
Are there some nice amall towns in this area? Does anyone have any negatives or positives for the apt complex~~ Huntington of Sundance, Mulberry? Any apt. complex that receives high score?

[BNBR]

Between $80 - $850

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by BNBR

Between $80 - $850

That is a fair statement. However, I use "average billing", a service my power company offers. My bills year round run in the $150-175 range.

[Arcenal813]

My Bill (which includes all utilities: power, water, sewage, waste management, etc.) Runs $300/month in the summer. I have an old heat pump unit. I'm sure it could be a bit cheaper. However, two stories doesn't help either.

[BNBR]

I guess the poster did specify they were looking at apartments, but without having an idea of the size and ammenities, an "average bill" is kind of useless.

In my 2 bedroom apartment years ago with a new AC and very little direct sunlight, $80. At my current house with the pool heater and hot tub running, $300. At my new house, closer to $500.

But even then, I've seen people in apartments somehow end up with $200 electric bills and people in townhouses with sub $100... It's all over the place.

I think the best advice would be to call FPL and request the info on the actual apartment you are interested in. But if looking at an apartment, I would probably think in the $100 - $150 range max if the AC is functioning properly and in good shape. Of course, then it depends if you work all day and can set the AC higher when not there... do you work from home?

[Arcenal813]

Also, Lakeland (and surroundings) is pretty much hit or miss when it comes to "nice and safe" vs "run down meth-town."
Lakeland Highlands is beautiful and wonderful if you can find something reasonable.

I believe that part of Mulberry is one of the nicer areas as well. Not sure about Huntington itself, but Sundance is surrounded by fairly new (nice) developments.

[beachmouse]

Originally Posted by BNBR

But even then, I've seen people in apartments somehow end up with $200 electric bills and people in townhouses with sub $100... It's all over the place.

Age of the building and the energy efficiency code it was built under can cause those kinds of variations. When we went from a 1000sf end unit uninsulated cement block town house to a more energy tight 1750 sf single family home that was 20 years newer, our electric bills actually went down significantly.

[stumble]

3000 + SF with pool. Highest bill in summer was $155. FPL and lots of large Live Oaks.

[LifeIsGood01]

Most likely at least around $100 a month. Could be less if the building is well insulated or you have blackout curtains to block some heat from the sunlight if you are home during the day. If you have a ceiling fan that will help spread the AC air around and make you feel cooler. I was in a small apartment when I first moved to Florida with an old AC unit, it also got a lot of sunlight into the living room and bedroom and in the summer it was around $100, but it's mostly summer all year in south Florida but the worst heat is during the actual summer. The hot water heater was old and used a lot of energy as well as the fridge and stove. I tried to keep the thermostat high and lowered it a bit at night to be able to sleep without sweating.

Then my second bungalow one bedroom by the beach did not get as much sunlight and at most it was $80 a month. You can control your own costs, I don't like it freezing, I like room temperature around the mid to high 70s. Some people like 65 to 70, I don't like it that cold. But if you do like it cold it can run several hundred dollars depending on the age of the AC unit and how much heat gets into the home from the sun.

[aridon]

Around $250 but we can hang meat in our bedroom at night. Winter runs $75 to 185 depending on how hot it gets.