How to Fairly Split Utilities at a Dwelling

Talent OR

Description

Briefly here's the situation: One side of the dwelling houses three people, a washer and dryer, a kitchen with full size stove and refrigerator, and a fireplace insert, with three bedrooms and a living room probably 1200 square feet. One of the residents on this side is home all the time. The other side is a converted garage, probably no more than 240 square feet, as was typical for a home built in 1960. There is no washer and dryer, there is a small apartment sized refrigerator and a shower. Recently, ductless Heating and Cooling was installed on both sides of the home, at no small cost. The tenant in the garage conversion works six out of 7 days a week at two jobs. When they come home at night they watch TV in the dark because that is their preference they rarely use their oven preferring the microwave. They take their laundry to the laundromat. There is only one electric/water/ sewer meter for the entire dwelling. What is the most equitable way to split utility costs so that the people in the larger three bedroom portion feel that they're being adequately credited for the utility bill from the other side of the home, the garage conversion side? The folks in the larger portion of the dwelling have been receiving $45 a month utility credit. Is this adequate or is this inadequate? Recently the larger side of the home was weatherized, which included putting R-49 insulation into the Attic, plugging up any holes left after switching to ductless Heating, and putting weather stripping on the doors, all in an effort towards increasing energy efficiency in the main home. Any and all responses are very much appreciated.