I also dont want to pay their oil heat for them in full as they seem to like keeping the house very warm (based on their oil consumption patterns last year).

Something else about these countries further up the list....a lower drinking age and a much higher cultural tendency to daily moderate consumption of alcohol.

After completing the toilet replacement & toilet rebuild (tomorrow), I will then see if the water consumption continues to go lower.

Reducing consumption or usage of a polluting product2.

It has been proven that utility consumption is much better scrutinized when it is a controllable charge than when there is no connection between consumption and charges, as would be the case when you include utilities or when customers are billed a flat rate regardless of consumption.

According to this article (https://www.extension.harvard.edu/inside-extension...) written by Teo Nicholais, we know the real estate market goes through circles (in phases): Phase 1 - RECOVERY:  We know the characteristics of a recession: high unemployment; decreased consumption; and decreased company investment in buildings, factories, and machines.

When we encounter a property with oil heat we discount it in our offer ... for us it is the environmental liability of having several hundred or thousand gallons of heating oil stored on site.Regardless of your heating fuel choice the best way to improve efficiency is to reduce fuel consumption via better air sealing and additional insulation.

Mitch, good point along the principal of the marginal perpensity of consumption!

A smart grid for energy consumption will be the next step.

Check utility consumption.