If your electric bill is higher than you’d like, there is an option available that might lower your rate. According to the National Power and Light Company (CNFL), most clients living in residential areas can take advantage of a billing plan that allows customers to pay rates that fluctuate during the day instead of a fixed rate.
In a statement to The Tico Times, CNFL representatives said that the tarifa residencial horaria, or hour-based residential rate, is available to CNFL clients who meet certain conditions, including the following:
¦ The client must live in a residential sector.
¦The electric bill must be in the name of the person making the request or the applicant must be an authorized resident.
¦ The residence must have only one electric meter.
¦The meter must be located within the property limits.
¦The meter must be between 1.75 meters and 2 meters above ground level and must be rooted in the ground.
The rate is divided into three parts of the day: Peak time, the highest rate, runs from 10:01 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 5:31 p.m. to 8 p.m.; low time goes from 6:01 a.m. until 10 a.m. and from 12:31 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.; night time, the lowest rate, applies from 8:01 p.m. to 6 a.m. The rates were set by the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP).
CNFL encourages residents interested in the hourly rate to contact the company at 800-energia, via e-mail at 800energia@cnfl.go.cr or to visit a customer service location.
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Variable Residential Electricity Rates |
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Total monthly consumption |
Peak Hours 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. |
Low Hours 6 a.m.-10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
Night Hours 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. |
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Less than 300 kWh |
¢121.00* |
¢50.00 |
¢21.00 |
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Between 301-500 kWh |
¢138.00 |
¢56.00 |
¢24.00 |
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More than 500 kWh |
¢161.00 |
¢65.00 |
¢30.00 |
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* Cost per kilowatt hour |
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