Gus Abernathy

Gus worked as a residential energy auditor for six years, crawling through attics and basements with a blower door and an infrared camera, before moving into writing. He has owned two older houses, one with a boiler older than he is, and keeps a spreadsheet of every utility bill since 2014. He covers Owning, Maintenance and Home costs for Kenponet, and his rule is simple: put a number on it, then decide whether it is worth worrying about.

Credentials

Former residential energy auditor with six years of in-home assessments
Trained in building science and home performance testing
Writer on home costs and maintenance since 2018

Home costs
Winter Heating Costs 2026-27: What You Can Expect to Pay by Fuel

Natural gas and propane homes should spend a little less this winter. Heating oil homes are looking at a much bigger bill. Here is the forecast and what to do about it.

Gus Abernathy Oct 15, 2026 7 min read
Owning
Why Homeowners Insurance Keeps Going Up, and What You Can Do About It

Premiums have outpaced inflation for years, and some homeowners are losing coverage altogether. Here is why, and the steps that actually lower a bill.

Gus Abernathy Oct 15, 2026 7 min read
Maintenance
Fall Home Safety Checklist: Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide, Heating and Radon

Four checks, one weekend. The safety jobs worth doing before you switch the heat on for the season, and how often each one needs repeating.

Gus Abernathy Oct 15, 2026 7 min read

Credentials

Winter Heating Costs 2026-27: What You Can Expect to Pay by Fuel

Why Homeowners Insurance Keeps Going Up, and What You Can Do About It

Fall Home Safety Checklist: Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide, Heating and Radon