Transportation And Energy
Transportation isn't usually considered an occupancy cost, but transportation to schools, churches, shops and recreation facilities should be considered when buying a home. The farther you are from work or school, the more you'll spend on "getting around".Roughly 20 to 25 per cent of our national energy consumption is used to heat our homes. That includes space heating, hot water and appliances. The energy consumed for heating depends on such variables as insulation, type of house, location, size of family and lifestyle.
The occupancy cost for energy has risen dramatically over the last few years. You should be prepared for continuing increases. Because compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane have become cheaper for heating, many homeowners are adapting their oil furnaces to gas or are installing gas heating systems in new homes.
December 4, 2008