[deano_hoosier]

Good questions... and I'm sure you'll probably have some more as you consider this investment.

I have Comcast which supplies my t.v. and internet. They also have phone service available, but I use MajicJack computer/internet phone service, so just have cable and internet. Comcast has a "vacation hold" plan where you can place your service on hold for up to 7 months in the spring through the fall months. It can't be put on hold during the prime winter months. The cost for me and my (2) services during the vacation hold from Comcast is $15/month. If you re-start the service during the hold period, it cannot be returned to hold status. I'll be back for the month of July. I'll restart the service and at the end of the month return my equipment to the Comcast store and cancel my service completely. When I return in late December, I'll go get the equipment and start back up again. This has another advantage, sometimes, of being able to jump in on a new discount rate for new users. Comcast does not require a contract and is month-to-month usage.

I turn off my house-internal water supply when I leave, but leave my house-external water running for the sprinkler system. My May water bill was for 13,000 gallons (sprinkler system) and the graduated water bill, alone, for that usage rate was $25.31. In addition to the water usage portion of the bill was a flat rate sewer charge of $25.67 plus $17.90 waste pick-up (flat rate) and amenity charge of $141.63. Total monthly charge for Not Here time was $210.51.

Can't turn off the various charges for utilities listed above except to minimize your water usage as best possible.

Electricity must be left on as your heat/air conditioning will require it. I do have a "humidistat" on my ac so that the ac runs only enough to keep humidity to a level that won't promote mold/mildew growth. My May electricity bill for this level of usage was $32.64 for a 1,700 sq ft ranch-style home. When I was in the house last July the electric bill went up an additional $120 or so for the additional ac use.

Hope this helps and I imagine others will have additional information to offer.