So -- Utilities in Austin

[alfreda89]

I am filling out another grant application, and need a utilities breakdown. Problem is, I lived out by Lakeway the last time I paid utilities (not Austin utilities) and haven't paid gas in a decade. So no idea what my utilities will be on a 2Bd2B 1000 in Austin. The gas company and City of Austin say there are too many variables and will not give hints. My gas is the water heater, for showers and dishwasher. I don't normally wash my clothes in scalding hot water (STILL annoyed and unable to check to see if they've shrunk.) The water heater produces the heat, which other tenants have told me is cheaper than electric or even regular gas heat.

I unplug my vampire appliances like DVD/VCR (which are dormant right now, since I don't have a TV.) I don't run my A/C crazy -- usually 80 in the day, and 76 at night. That was when I was home days -- it may be higher during the day, but I need to research to see if it's cheaper to run steady or run higher and then reduce when you return home.

Anyone out there with a similar pattern have a utilities report?

Time to wring out clothes in tub and prepare to visit my neighborhood laundromat.

Comments

[originalkitsune.livejournal.com]

My gas bill is $18-22 a month.
My electric/water/trash bill is approx $80-125 a month. The +100 happens in summer.

I don't unplug anything. All computers run all day.I don't have a TV.
I keep AC at 83 during the day and drop it to 75 at night.
I take 1-2 showers a days, 2-3X a week I fill a HUGE bath rub with epsom salt and soak in it.

I wash 2 loads of laundry a week, most of the time i use cold water wash and rinse.

I have NO dishwasher.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

That's a help, Kit, thank you!

How big is your house, anyway?

[originalkitsune.livejournal.com]

1400 sq ft.

Keep in mind, I have a brand new water heater. new fridge. new washer and new dryer, all of which have energy saving specs.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Yes, the apt people have told me $75 for water/sewer/trash -- so i am calculating up slightly, like 100-150 for electric.

[sheilagh.livejournal.com]

Kit's house has a design that keeps it comfortable all year long -- probably similar to your place, far newer than mine. Mine's cold all winter, hot all summer, no matter the air conditioning I try to run.

Maybe see if there was a significant different in the utility costs that Laura had when you were living there vs when you left?