I once had a $3,000 gas heating bill.

Mix of electric and natural gas for water heater/stoves.

" If I purchase a home, nobody should be able to come in to my home and tell me to do anything"Just change the requirement to inspecting your gas line before turning the gas on, what do you think about it now?

Hi Gary, if the pump failed on it's own I would pay the increased energy bill.I don't know where Your from but in Wisconsin the electric/gas bills have a "Degree Days" number on the back of the bill, this number would make it easy to figure the actual increase in fuel used for the month in question this year, and the same month last year, when the pump was working.

I would hate to pick out cabinets and have no one like them, or put the gas fireplace insert in and have someone hate it, but the curb appeal is what scares me the most.

Gas leaks, fuel runs leak.

I would definitely make sure there is antifreeze in all the traps too as you don't want any sewer gas seeping into those units either. :-)

When I got there I realized that there was no heat in the house at all and the gas had been shut off because of non-payment.

Did you consider natural gas, since it tends to be the more affordable fuel choice?

The garage is fully finished and has tile, finished walls and gas/water hookups.