Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

Feb 2, 2011, 2:07 PM

Post #1 of 20 (5827 views)

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CFE and DAC

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Is there anyone that maintains their pool and does not fall into DAC?. If so, how do you do it?. T.

Casa

Feb 2, 2011, 2:22 PM

Post #2 of 20 (5809 views)

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Re: [T] CFE and DAC

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I do not have a pool and I cannot get out of DAC no matter how hard we try!

Feb 2, 2011, 2:32 PM

Post #3 of 20 (5802 views)

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Re: [Casa] CFE and DAC

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I had no idea that anyone without a pool could go into DAC. Please share more info and I bet folks here will be glad to give you their thoughts. T

Papirex

Feb 2, 2011, 2:44 PM

Post #4 of 20 (5794 views)

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Re: [Casa] CFE and DAC

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The DAP (not DAC) rate is inly 10%. On most cool winter nights here we use one or two oil filled electric radiators to heat the house. When it comes to comfort vs. a slightly higher electric bill, comfort wins every time.

The only way to get off of the DAP rate is to use an unrealistically low amount of electricity for many months. Once you are on the DAP rate, you are pretty much stuck there. We use a lot less electricity here than we did in Anchorage, and we pay six times as much per billing period, that's three times as much on a monthly basis. We use an electric dishwasher daily, and our automatic clothes washer and gas dryer a lot. It costs a little more on a monthly basis, but not much.

We do not have a pool at this house.

I didn't move to my wife's country to rough it.

Rex

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

(This post was edited by Papirex on Feb 2, 2011, 4:22 PM)

johanson

Feb 2, 2011, 2:55 PM

Post #5 of 20 (5789 views)

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Re: [T] CFE and DAC

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My empty condo in Seattle, with just a big old refrigerator along with a modem and the phantom loads from two satellite receivers that although off still draw about 25 to 30 watts per hour each almost draw enough power to put me over 250 KWH per month which is the max you may draw here the Lake Chapala region of Jalisco before going into DAC. We are in tariff level 1 here. (Actually 3000 or more KWH consumed over the previous 12 month period, takes the government subsidy away and puts in into DAC)

However my much bigger house in Mexico uses much less power from CFE. Why? Because the majority of all of the power I use comes from the sun, you know, photo-voltaic cells.

sanjuan

Feb 3, 2011, 5:58 AM

Post #6 of 20 (5701 views)

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Re: [T] CFE and DAC

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My pool runs every day all year and I am not in DAC (it isn't DAP) because I have 2 meters. My pool and casita are on one the house on the other. In December the bill for my 2 meters was 802 pesos.

(This post was edited by sanjuan on Feb 3, 2011, 6:01 AM)

Zardoz

Feb 3, 2011, 6:13 AM

Post #7 of 20 (5697 views)

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Re: [johanson] CFE and DAC

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Funny I bring down my small flexible unisolar 33watt panel and morningstar solar controller and use it with my very old
first generation Optima battery deep cycle (yes it still works after 15 years) to run my sirius boombox and a seperate
boom box. It is surprising what will run off 12 volts. You can also make a very good stereo from a cheap car stereo and
a set of decent but efficient speakers. This keeps the music from spinning the meter. For you rental folks who pay the
electrical bill I would suggest bringing down a bag of various CFB as these bulbs do make a big difference (cut by 2/3)
in electrical use. CFB bulbs are not what they use to be in a good way. Even Wal mart has different temperature bulbs
which allow you to get that soft white/yellow color that we are use to in regular bulbs. If you want the yellow look for
the 2300K rating. Also CFB bulbs come in Candalabra and normal medium bases these days with litlle flame shaped bulbs
and everything under the sun. No reason to hate CFB (bulbs) anymore other than they still take a few minutes to get to
full power. Anyone who complains about CFE rates and who has not updated to CFB is a wasting money. I even have
CF Candalabra bulbs that dim in our 1920 Tiffany lamped house. For more info on choices check out this site as they
have everything and great tech info like color and such. www.1000bulbs.com and they do ship internationally but
I have not done so myself.

Feb 3, 2011, 12:34 PM

Post #8 of 20 (5632 views)

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Re: [johanson] CFE and DAC

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Pete, always pushing solar heating. I do not blame you. It is what we all should be doing, but some of us are on a limited budget, unlike yourself. And the installation is costly, regardless of the turnaround period. For those of us on a fixed income, we cannot afford the outlay and wait for the turnaround period. T.

Feb 3, 2011, 12:39 PM

Post #9 of 20 (5628 views)

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Re: [sanjuan] CFE and DAC

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Outstanding. I do not have a second meter for the pool, but I think that would solve my issues. Did you install the second meter or inherit it.? If you installed it, please give me the details. I have been told that it is very difficult, expensive and time consuming, but DAC every two months at around 3,000 pesos is knocking my socks off. T.

sanjuan

Feb 3, 2011, 12:50 PM

Post #10 of 20 (5623 views)

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Re: [T] CFE and DAC

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I had the second meter installed. My contractor got the permit for it. He sweet talked the girl in the CFE office. He said they gave the permit because the picture of my property clearly showed that the house was separate from the casita. It didn't take long to rewire my place but it took months to get a meter as there was a shortage of them. My electrician installed the meter in a few minutes but it took months to get CFE to put it in their computer. Supposedly having a casita makes it much easier to get a permit but I know a guy in Ajijic who doesn't have a casita but got a second meter by hiring a lawyer to get the permit.

johninajijic

Feb 3, 2011, 12:59 PM

Post #11 of 20 (5615 views)

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Re: [T] CFE and DAC

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How much was the cost to install a second meter including the cost of the meter or did you acquire the meter at no cost? I have a casita and have often thought of puttiing in a second meter for my casita and pool.

BTW, I don't believe anyone who has a pool cannot have a DAC rate. In our Community, we all have pools, 10 year or newer houses with modern conveniences. Our bui monthly electric bills run from a low of $ 2,200. pesos to highs of $ 4,500 to $ 5,500 pesos.

Feb 3, 2011, 1:08 PM

Post #12 of 20 (5612 views)

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Re: [sanjuan] CFE and DAC

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sanjuan, thanks so much for your rapid response. I think you have reinforced my fears. I have no casita. Could you give me a ballpark figure on what you and your friend paid to have a second meter installed, including attorney's fees and everything else? Feel free to send me a private message, should you not want this info posted on the forum. Muchas gracias, T

Feb 3, 2011, 1:34 PM

Post #13 of 20 (5602 views)

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Re: [johninajijic] CFE and DAC

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Thanks, John for the first answer to my post My CFE bill runs anywhere from 2500 to 3000, exactly within the parameters of what you wrote. Guess I just have to deal with it, unless you and I get a second meter installed. . Appreciate your input. T

sanjuan

Feb 3, 2011, 2:11 PM

Post #14 of 20 (5593 views)

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Re: [johninajijic] CFE and DAC

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I don't know how much it cost to rewire for the second meter as he was rewiring at the same time for the pool and voltage regulators but it didn't take him very long for the new meter part. The meter is free. I was supposed to pay a propina for getting it but no one came to collect. I'm very conscious of my electricity consumption-I read both meters every day. I can see the change in consumption when I use the crock pot or do a laundry. I haven't used my dryer for over a year as I hang my cloths outside on a line. I have a new energy efficient fridge and don't have a toaster oven. The night light is energy efficient. It is very easy to stay below the DAC rate if you pay attention to the details. As I said my cost for both bills for December was 803 pesos and 929 for October. I know people with a much smaller house than mine, one meter, and a smaller swimming pool whose bill is usually around 4,000 pesos.

(This post was edited by sanjuan on Feb 3, 2011, 2:14 PM)

gpkgto

Feb 3, 2011, 4:29 PM

Post #15 of 20 (5565 views)

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Re: [T] CFE and DAC

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I hope everyone who scams CFE with second meters is proud of being such smart gringos! Like it or not, it is illegal.

johanson

Feb 3, 2011, 7:32 PM

Post #16 of 20 (5535 views)

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Re: [gpkgto] CFE and DAC

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I'm sad that you would attack everyone, qpkgto. Yes some people do cheat. I qualify for two meters, because my watchman lives in a seperate and very small casita, on my propery. Yet I only have one. And I dont pay DAC. Why? Because I installed photo voltaic panels. But if I had two meters I would not be cheating. Many others with smaller casitas would not be cheating either.

Rolly

Feb 3, 2011, 8:13 PM

Post #17 of 20 (5527 views)

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Re: [johanson] CFE and DAC

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Pete is right. I live in a casita behind the main house. CFE says we are eligible for two meters.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Feb 5, 2011, 1:00 PM

Post #18 of 20 (5443 views)

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Re: [gpkgto] CFE and DAC

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Wow. Please explain why having more than one electric meter at one's home is a scam and illegal.. Also, cite your sources. T

Feb 5, 2011, 1:09 PM

Post #19 of 20 (5438 views)

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Re: [sanjuan] CFE and DAC

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You check your propane and electricity useage everyday? Wow, you are much more than conscious of your useage. I cannot think of the word, but great response and good for you. T

sanjuan

Feb 6, 2011, 5:23 AM

Post #20 of 20 (5352 views)

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Re: [T] CFE and DAC

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I check my meters everyday not my propane as when I had one meter I went into the DAC rate briefly and I was quite annoyed-feeling like I was being ripped off. Something I forgot to mention-I have a pump that can pump water from my aljibe to my tenaco or to water the garden but I never use it. All the water I use in and outside of the house is moved by gravity.

(This post was edited by sanjuan on Feb 6, 2011, 7:12 AM)