[Uncle Erik]

Heating? In Los Angeles? Maybe $20 a month when it dips into the 40s.

But I lived a couple of years in central Oregon. I used to turn off the furnace when I wasn't home and kept the temperature around 65 when I was. The place was fairly new, well insulated and had double paned windows, so it wasn't bad. Usually $60-$70 a month during the winter.

On the other end, we own, rent and manage apartments in Yuma, Arizona. Heating usually isn't an issue there.

However, we install double paned windows in the units, add insulation and seal the places tight. We've got most units done and have about five to go. But all of this dramatically cuts energy use. Some of the older places didn't have insulation, so bills drop 30% to 50% after it goes in. Also makes the places quieter. Speaking of which, I like to put up sound board on outside/common walls, too. That adds some insulation, but really attenuates noise. Tenants rarely complain about each other now.

 

[Ice Nine]

Electricity, natural gas and water never exceeds $250 total in any month of the year. It gets real cold and can get real hot here. That's on about 2,800 square feet.