Estimate on Utility Cost (apartment, appliances, broker)

[carpetoday]

My wife and I found an apartment in the UWS with an unusually low price but the catch is we will have to bear all utility costs (heat, hot water, electric). The broker told us that this could be on average $200-250 a month extra but just wanted to crosscheck with others whether or not that number is average. The apartment is a 1BR, approx 725 sq ft. and is on the fourth floor in a six-story building.

Any advice from those in similar situations?

[ShayLove]

When I lived in an 1 bedroom apt, my electric bill was leveled at $125 per month and my gas was about $35..
Now in my house(3 floors), my electric is $145 per month, my gas/heat is $85 and my water bill is about $100 every 3 months... I'm still trying to figure why my apt was so high win electric cost!!!

[carpetoday]

Thanks for your response!

I just spoke to my broker...I guess its all consolidated on one ConEd bill. Heat and hot water runs on gas. Appliances and AC will run on electric.

[city living]

My current one bedroom apartment is probably similar in size to your apartment. Normally, my bill is below $60/month for electric. (Higher during the summer for air conditioning.) Gas is always less than $20/month. Since you are paying for your heat/hot water (which I do not) your broker is probably in the right ballpark in terms of your utility expenses.

[girl_next_door]

Can't you ask for the recent 3 months utility bill for the same unit, to get an idea? I think older air-conditioner and related stuff are less energy efficient, hence will cost more in utility bill.

[Kefir King]

Originally Posted by carpetoday

My wife and I found an apartment in the UWS with an unusually low price but the catch is we will have to bear all utility costs (heat, hot water, electric). The broker told us that this could be on average $200-250 a month extra but just wanted to crosscheck with others whether or not that number is average. The apartment is a 1BR, approx 725 sq ft. and is on the fourth floor in a six-story building.

Any advice from those in similar situations?

The largest determinant is whether your heat and hot water is made by gas (reasonable) or electricity (horrific.)

[carpetoday]

Heat and hot water are gas, so I guess thats good...everything else is electric. I did ask for recent utility bills but the broker said all he had was the estimates he quoted me.

[otown native]

It's definitely one of those, depends on your situation & how much you use it kind of things. I've been in my 1/1 apartment for about 3 months now, and the most it's been..$48. I only pay electric & gas though..but I live by myself, fly back home on the weekends or am out & about if I stay in town, only turn a light on if I'm in the room, cook a quick meal for myself, and watch TV for a few hours between getting home from work & going to bed. So not a lot of consumption on my part. Plus I think I lucked out moving up during the colder time when I don't need an AC unit or anything yet.

[Kefir King]

Originally Posted by carpetoday

Heat and hot water are gas, so I guess thats good...everything else is electric. I did ask for recent utility bills but the broker said all he had was the estimates he quoted me.

It won't cost you much and that $200-$250 estimate was probably a bit on the high side as an average...but Summer AC can go well above that, so maybe it's a good guesstimate.

How sane...GAS. I lived for 20 years with electric heat and it was just NUTS.