Quote:
Originally Posted by AngieT2
Hi Fellow Friends and Neighbors,
We are moving from San Diego to The Villages in the next 3-5 months (we are building a Seabrook in the Pinellas section).
We have a pool currently in San Diego, with solar heat, and are wonding what type of utility bills we can expect, IF we decide to do a pool again in our new home.
Typically, our electric/gas bill runs about $350 per month, every month. If we have to run the air or heat, then it quickly jumps well into the $450 range.
I am wondering if anyone knows what the expected increase in utility bills are for a home WITH AND WITHOUT a pool. Also, any thoughts on what T & D charges for a basic pool/spa (nothing fancy) with birdcage? $50K? $75K? I know that when we built our new pool/spa in San Diego, you could not get ANY type of pool built for under $75,000. Solar was an additional $7000 and it truly only works OK in the summer (and we have a true southern exposure backyard, currently).
My husband, Tom, will be retiring from the San Diego Police Dept. and is excited beyond belief, to soon get to, "Live The Dream" with all of his new Villager friends!
Any and ALL pool/spa feedback most welcomed! Including thoughts on NOT using T & D during the home building process and going with an outside pool construction company after closing (does this save you any $$ on property taxes if the pool is not in your original sales contract?).
Thanks again!
Angie in San Diego (for now!!)
 |
Not sure about now.............however, when we lived in Florida (twice before) we were amazed at how LOW the electric bills were compared to up north.
We've already decided that when the time is right for us, if we can't find a resale with a pool / birdcage, we will make sure we find a home that has "room for a pool" and will have one installed. We always had an inground pool up north when we were raising our family and it's very nice when you have guests, whether family or friends.....visiting. It's nice to have the sliders right off the master bedroom to the pool area and also, of course, from the living room or great room area out to the pool area.
It also creates a great visual as you enter the home and can see through the great room out to the lanai / pool / birdcage area.
To us, it would be a central part of living in Florida.......so I would vote yes. Go for it. We received casual quotes and the prices were not as high as you have experienced elsewhere. Nothing at all even close to that.
When we rented a home in The Villages, the inground pool was a major plus and enjoyed by us, even if just sitting outside and reading on our kindles.......it was pleasant to just have it there......and listen to the waterfall...........and especially nice when our adult children and grandbaby visited over Thanksgiving weekend........it just adds to the pleasure of your new home.
Good luck...........
p.s. When we had returned home to Vermont, the owner of the home sent back our security deposit in full, even though my husband had "upped the temperature" on the heated pool for his own comfort.........it was a minimal rise in the electric bill according to the owner......so we were not penalized. My husband even cleaned the coping while he was floating around; went out and purchased the stuff to do it...........the pool guys would come and vacuum but never really cleaned the pool. He was used to pool ownership and didn't mind..........it gave him something to do.