Rising gas prices are contributing to an increased cost of living. Just as people feel the need to watch their budgets, homeowners also have to contend with higher maintenance costs and expenses. Let’s look at some of the ways gas prices affect homeowners.
How Rising Gas Prices Affect Homeowners
Higher Grocery Prices
Before grocery products arrive at your local store, they must be shipped there. The transportation from the farm to your kitchen table may happen on rail, road, air, or sea, ferried by vessels fueled by gas.
With the rising gas prices, homeowners have to spend more on groceries as manufacturers try to recoup the money spent on higher gas prices. Similarly, if you order food to be delivered, you may notice increased charges as service providers are also paying more for fuel.
Increased Landscaping and Lawn Mowing Costs
Oil-based fuels power most landscaping and lawn mowing machines. Mowers, weed hackers, chainsaws, and leaf blowers use gasoline. The rising gas prices mean that running these machines becomes more costly.
As a result, homeowners will be spending more on these services or canceling them to save some money. Some landscaping companies no longer offer free evaluations and estimates due to the higher costs of driving to your property.
Rising Gas Prices Affect Shipping Costs for Homeowners
With rising gas prices, there’s a likelihood that the cost of shipping products to your home will be more expensive. These increases include the cost of delivering goods ordered from online shops and many moving companies who haul your personal belongings from city to city when you relocate.
Pay More for Heating and Power
If you use oil-based fuel to warm your home, expect the cost of keeping your family comfortable to go up. Similarly, powering a generator when the lights are out will also cost more. The average 5-kilowatt generator needs approximately 18 gallons of gasoline to run 24 hours. At the current price of $4+ per gallon, running a generator for 24 hours will cost you upwards of $72.
Petroleum products power most of our industries. Because of the abundance of these items, rising fuel costs will keep pushing the prices of products and services higher.
As a homeowner, take steps to reduce your gasoline consumption by carpooling to work or working remotely if that is an option for you. Purchase things locally from the farmer’s market and local vendors to reduce the distance items have to be shipped. Find alternatives to petroleum-based products. Take steps to make your home more energy-efficient to save on fuel costs in every way possible.
St. James Home Services provides inspections to homebuyers and sellers in Durham and the surrounding areas of North Carolina. Contact us to request our services.