Cost for utilities in Poconos? (Sunbury, Selinsgrove: low income, houses, heat pump)

[bldginpa]

Thinking of building a weekend/vacation/retirement home in Pike County near Hawley. Have no idea what utility costs per month would average on an average size home, all electric. (heat pump and a/c). Can anybody help me estimate a monthly cost? Thanks!

[beachlvr]

I live in the Promised Land area, not far from Hawley. Utilities are hard to judge, a lot depends on the winter. We use electric heat, propane wall heaters/cooking, and a wood stove. I live in an older home Our electric/gas averages about $275 - 300 a month plus the wood. In a newer more efficient home, I would guess if you figured an average of $225 to $250 a month (more in winter, less in summer w/no wood) you would be in the right ball park. I highly recommend supplementing electric heat with gas, oil, or some type of pellet/wood/coal heat. My parents have a gas fireplace, and they love that. Phone runs around $60 a month for unlimited nationwide long distance. You will probably require cable or satellite TV, about $60 a month. Don't forget to figure in plowing in the winter at about $25 each time anywhere from 10 to 20 times. Food for a family of four runs us around $140 a week.

I sent you a private message with some additional information. Hope this helps, please let me know if you would like more information.

[turboredcart]

electric ranges 6-12 cents a kilawatt. depending on the supplier. PPL is teh cheapest- predominent in central pa.

my advice. proper insulation. these old houses have nil.

there is electric choice in PA- there is also weatherization for low income here.

[bldginpa]

Thanks for the info. Does this mean that we can actually choose our electricity supplier?

[turboredcart]

http://www.puc.state.pa.us/utilitychoice/ yes.

BTW- during the big east coast black out- we had electric the whole time in Selinsgrove and Sunbury. Central PA fared well too during teh rolling black outs during the blizzards=--