Charges for electricity,water and cable

crazydaisy · #1 04-13-2006, 10:39 AM

Hi all

Help required. Im looking into renting a modern apartment long term - the rental is very resonable. My question is that the electricity, water and cable charges are not included. On a typical 2 bed, 1 bathroom apartment with 24 hr power how much do you think i would be looking at per month for all 3 services? If it helps i would be looking to have the water heater on at least 3 times a day - im British and i dont do cold showers !!!! Also there will be people sharing accomodation.

I dont expect an exact figure but a ball park figure would be great to help with my budgeting.

Many thanks in advance.

C

Snuffy · #2 04-13-2006, 10:51 AM

Power: 24/7 power requires an inverter or generator...so is one installed...or do you have to install yourself. Will you have an A/C and how much do you project to run it. Excluding an A/C I estimate your bill will run 800RD per month.

Water: Cheap, 200RD per month.

Cable: Cheap, 450RD per month.

crazydaisy · #3 04-13-2006, 11:00 AM

Thanks for that - sounds well within my budget. As for electricity i think its is supplied by the new power plant hence no blacksouts or very very few.

I think im going call agent and ask her - lets she what she tells me !!!! Test her honesty lol.

C

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuffy

Power: 24/7 power requires an inverter or generator...so is one installed...or do you have to install yourself. Will you have an A/C and how much do you project to run it. Excluding an A/C I estimate your bill will run 800RD per month.

Water: Cheap, 200RD per month.

Cable: Cheap, 450RD per month.

HOWMAR · #4 04-13-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazydaisy

Thanks for that - sounds well within my budget. As for electricity i think its is supplied by the new power plant hence no blacksouts or very very few.

I think im going call agent and ask her - lets she what she tells me !!!! Test her honesty lol.

C

If you are referring to electricity supplied by the Playa Dorada plant, yes you will have more reliable electric service, but the rate charged is much higher than that charged by the other supplier in Puerto Plata. You probably should figure at least 50% more.

sweetdbt · #5 04-13-2006, 11:16 AM

You did not say where the apartment is located, but if I recall from your previous posts, you were looking in Puerto Plata. There are a few upscale neighborhoods, such as Torre Alta with reliable power, but I wouldn't count on it! Especially since you said the rent is reasonable. You should be thinking about an invertor system if 24/7 electricity is important to you.

crazydaisy · #6 04-13-2006, 11:53 AM

The agent is emailing me all the details and hopefully answering my questions. I believe the apartment is in the El Doral part of Puerto Plata. I obiviously wont take it unless myself or my partner view it properly (he may have a look at it today when he finishs work) . I'm over on the 15th May and will spend that week looking for somewhere to live if this is not suitable before i move out for good mid June.

Once again thanks for all your responses and if you think i have forgotten anything or should ask certain question i may not have thought of please feel free to set me straight.

C

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetdbt

You did not say where the apartment is located, but if I recall from your previous posts, you were looking in Puerto Plata. There are a few upscale neighborhoods, such as Torre Alta with reliable power, but I wouldn't count on it! Especially since you said the rent is reasonable. You should be thinking about an invertor system if 24/7 electricity is important to you.

carina · #7 04-13-2006, 09:12 PM

El Doral is on the mainroad, almost in Playa Dorada.
You will be connected to the Playa Dorada powerplant there.
Cable as someone said 400-450 RDS monthly depending on which company, also about 1000 pesos to do the contract if it is not done by the landlord.
Phones forget it there, no connections yet as this is a new neighborhood. ( If you are on the side to the right of EL Doral towards Sabana Grande it works though )
Also no public transportation, only from the mainroad.
Alots of contruction going on in that area, lots of Haitians.

Ken · #8 04-14-2006, 10:40 AM

The hot water heater and air conditioner are what most affect the electricity charge. Why do you need to have the hot water heater on at least 3 times a day? Do you take that many showers. Experiment with how far in advance of your shower you must turn on the water heater. 30 minutes should be enough. And turn off the water heater when you start your shower. Use the AC only when you feel you really need it.

I don't think anybody on this board can estimate what your electricity charge is going to be, since so much depends on you. There is a good chance you will be shocked by your first bill, then think seriously about how you can reduce it.

Snuffy · #9 04-14-2006, 11:40 AM

You may find yourself preferring cold showers. I do most of the year.

crazydaisy · #10 04-14-2006, 06:39 PM

I dont think 3 showers a day is excessive? 1 in morning, 1 when i return from work and 1 before bed. As for A/C im not that bothered - i feel the cold very easily and a fan for a short time is usually enough. Thanks for the imput.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken

The hot water heater and air conditioner are what most affect the electricity charge. Why do you need to have the hot water heater on at least 3 times a day? Do you take that many showers. Experiment with how far in advance of your shower you must turn on the water heater. 30 minutes should be enough. And turn off the water heater when you start your shower. Use the AC only when you feel you really need it.

I don't think anybody on this board can estimate what your electricity charge is going to be, since so much depends on you. There is a good chance you will be shocked by your first bill, then think seriously about how you can reduce it.