Utility bill cost in northwest Indiana? (Crown Point: apartments, home, to live in)

[crayzibeautyful]

We are planning on moving into apartments in either lake or porter county. Can anyone give me an estimate on what they spend on electricity and gas? winter and summer months? We are moving from newton county where things are a bit cheaper so we aren't sure of what to budget... Thank you

[PJSaturn]

Originally Posted by crayzibeautyful

We are planning on moving into apartments in either lake or porter county. Can anyone give me an estimate on what they spend on electricity and gas? winter and summer months? We are moving from newton county where things are a bit cheaper so we aren't sure of what to budget... Thank you

It would depend entirely upon the location you choose.

Back when I used to live in apartments, I found that my utility costs were next to nothing when I had a south-facing (windows) apartment in a middle or upper floor. Remember that heat rises, so in the wintertime, you'd benefit by having an upper floor apartment because you'll be getting some heat from the apartment beneath yours. Also, if you're in the middle of a floor level instead of a corner, your unit is insulated by the units on either side. Also, with the southern exposure, in winter you'd benefit from the mid-day and afternoon sun.

As far as A/C expense in a south-exposure apartment, I would simply keep the drapes drawn in the daytime when I wasn't home and this helped reduce the effect of the hot midday sun.

Edit: PS - I once had an apartment in Crown Point that was on the 2nd of 3 floors, with a south exposure. One winter, I never had to turn the heat on!