Cut Your CFE Electric Bill & Save Big $$$
By Jsun Mills
From the Lake Chapala
Review:
December 15th, 2010 Volume 12, Issue 11
In last month’s
article we learned about Solar Energy and how a Solar Electric “Photovoltaic”
System can reduce or eliminate your electric bill, provide a solid economic
investment and help lower your carbon footprint and associated contribution to
global climate change. As professional renewable energy consultants, we find
that most people can significantly cut or entirely eliminate their CFE electric
bills by utilizing the following “Top Ten List”. Save the following list and
check off each number as you have completed each task. Have fun!
1. Educate yourself and
stay informed: Learn how to read your meter, CFE electric bill and understand
how the electric rate structures work here in Mexico. Most people are shocked to
find out that electric rates can be 3-4 times more expensive than up North.
Billing errors are very common, difficult to understand and have corrected-
especially if you do not know what you are looking at except the total amount
to pay and the cut-off date.
2. Lighting: Turn off all
of those lights at night that you are not using. Yes you! Next, replace all
incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (ahorradoras) or even better
with LED’s. Start by replacing lights that are on for the most hours of the
evening. Be sure to select bulbs with the color spectrum you like. Most people
prefer warm light (2700 K`). If the light bulb package is written in Spanish,
look for “Luz Calida” not “Luz Blanca” or “Luz del Día” which is the bright
white/bluish color that most people do not like.
3. Get yourself an energy
use meter such as the popular the “Kill-A-Watt”. This device will show exactly
how much electricity a device is using and the associated monthly cost. It will
also better help you understand and learn the basics of electricity and power
consumption.
4. Place all TV’s,
stereos, computers and other electronics on power strips to stop “phantom
loads” or vampire energy losses. Turn off the main switch when not in use to
eliminate all unwanted standby loads. The US Energy Star program estimates that
up to 10% or more of a modern household’s energy consumption is wasted on these
devices while in standby mode.
5. Replace that old
refrigerator, freezer and other appliances with a new model certified with the
FIDE seal. A good general rule of thumb is that if the appliance is more than 5
years old, it is probably worth replacing from an energy efficiency cost
perspective. For more information, see www.fide.org.mx *Mexico’s Energy Star
6. If you have a swimming
pool, it is likely that 50+% of your electric bill is directly related to your
swimming pool pump. Make sure your swimming pool pump is on a timer. Now adjust
that timer back to the minimum amount of hours possible without turning the
water green. 2-3 hours is usually sufficient depending on the time of year and
amount of people who use the pool.
7. Replace your swimming
pool pump with a new energy efficient model. Modern, high efficiency pool pumps
can easily save 30-90% on electrical use for pool pumping. Yes they cost more
but are worth every peso.
8. Heaters: Cool weather
has arrived Lakeside but be smart with the use
of electric heaters of any type. Make sure they are unplugged when not in use.
Air Conditioners: If you really must use an air conditioner in this perfect
climate we have- raise up the temperature a few degrees. Be sure to purchase a
model with the highest SEER rating possible (16-24).
9. Think about the lovely
water fountains and those outside garden lights that are often on all day and
night long. Have timers, motion sensors or dusk-to-dawn sensors installed.
10. Install a high quality
eSun Energy Solar Electric Photovoltaic “PV” System to get you out of the
highest electric tariff rates, especially the dreaded “DAC” rate. Connect to
the Sun!
Jsun Mills is a 12
year experienced veteran and renown professional in the international
photovoltaic industry. On the local level, he is an entrepreneur and owner of
“eSun Energy”, Lakeside’s first solar electric
solutions provider. For more information on solar: info@esunenergy.com or
(376)766-2319