Electric bills in Scranton area (apartment, to rent, appliances)

[xrouteman]

I'm looking to rent an apartment within 5-10 miles of Scranton. I've seen apts with heat included, with oil heat, and some with electric heat, no heat included. On a 1 bedroom, what will I be looking at for a monthly bill with electric heat? Does the electric co. here have budget billing? I saw one ad saying that the monthly electric bill was about $20. This seems ridiculous, maybe if you don't have an electric range, no air conditioner, no fridge and you work 2 jobs and are never home. Anybody help a guy out?

[CHS89]

PP&L does have budget billing, but it's based on the previous year. If you're a renter, the previous tenant may have skyrocketed it on you, so you may want to wait a year before going on budget, just to establish your own usage patterns.

Rates vary wildly, depending on usage. My average bill is about $30-40/mo. for my 3 BR house this past year, a lot lower than last year, but I try to be a stickler about lights off when not in the room, I unplugged appliances I don't use, TV on a timer at night rather than on continuously, etc. There are also fewer people here now than before. This past winter, I relied pretty heavily on electric space heaters, and still never got higher than $95 on a bill. If you get cold, put on a sweater. My appliances are gas, so I don't know how your electric stove will up your bill.

[RurNEPA]

We used to have a 3BR ranch with about 1100 s.f. It also had electric heat. Our budget was 225 year around. If I had to guess, I'd say you'd be less than 100. We had our service with PP&L.

Hope that helps.