Mexico’s national electric company, CFE, provides electricity to more than 44 million households and businesses across the country. That’s a whole lot of people relying on CFE to keep their lights on and their appliances running!
If you’re an expat living in Mexico, paying your CFE electric bill can be a bit confusing.
Wondering how to pay your electric bill in Mexico? It’s actually pretty easy, and we’ll walk you through all the options in a sec. But first, let’s decipher that CFE bill – it can be a little confusing at first. No worries though, we’ll break it down into simple terms so you’re a CFE bill whiz in no time!
Key Takeaways:
- CFE is Mexico’s national electric company, providing electricity to over 44 million households and businesses.
- Paying your CFE bill in Mexico can be confusing for expats, but understanding the process is key.
- There are multiple payment options available, including CFE offices, online payment, OXXO stores, and mobile apps.
- Be sure to pay your bill on time to avoid late fees and keep your electricity running smoothly.
- Implementing energy-saving practices can help you reduce your CFE bill and contribute to a greener future.
How do I pay my electricity bill in Mexico?
Paying your CFE bill doesn’t have to be a hassle. There are multiple payment options available to make the process easy and convenient for you.
In Mexico, it’s common practice for utility bills to remain in the property owner’s name, even when renting.
This shouldn’t prevent you from easily managing your bill payments. You can still create an online account with CFE and link the bill to your account for online payments.
Here are your best options to pay your bill…
- CFE Offices: Pay in person at your nearest CFE office. Don’t forget to bring your bill.
- CFE Website: Pay online through your CFE account. This offers the convenience of paying anytime, anywhere.
- CFE APP: For those who prefer mobile convenience, there is also an APP through CFE to pay your bill. Simply download the app, create an account, and follow the instructions to make your payment.
- OXXO Stores: Settle your bill at any OXXO convenience store – a great option when you’re out and about.
How to pay your bill online in 8 easy steps…
Start by going to https://app.cfe.mx/Aplicaciones/CCFE/MiEspacio/Login.aspx
Don’t Be Late! Due dates and late fees – nobody wants their power cut.
It’s important to pay your CFE bill on time to avoid late fees and ensure uninterrupted electricity service. CFE provides a due date on each bill, indicating the deadline by which you must make your payment.
To avoid any issues, mark the due date on your calendar or set a reminder on your phone. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don’t miss the payment deadline.
Nobody wants to experience a power cut due to late payment, so be proactive and prioritize paying your CFE bill by the due date.
Local Tip: Most people prefer to pay their bill online. By paying online you can avoid long lines at the CFE offices. But… if you want to pay online you must pay before the due date!
Billing Cycle: Bills can arrive every TWO months, so don’t freak out by larger numbers.
The billing cycle for CFE bills in Mexico can be every two months. Unlike monthly bills in other countries, CFE bills can be issued every month or can be issued every two months.
This means that the total amount on your bill may appear larger compared to what you are accustomed to. However, it’s important not to panic when you see the larger numbers, as they reflect consumption over a longer period of time.
Understanding the billing cycle is crucial for managing your electricity expenses effectively. It allows you to plan and budget accordingly, avoiding any surprises when the bill arrives.
Keep in mind that the frequency of CFE bills gives you more time to adjust your energy usage and make any necessary changes to reduce consumption and control costs.
The Dreaded DAC: Why it means your bill could skyrocket – a key fear for newcomers.
One of the main concerns for newcomers to CFE bills in Mexico is the Dreaded DAC (Domestic High Consumption). The DAC is a mechanism that triggers higher rates when your electricity usage exceeds a certain consumption threshold.
This means that if you consume more electricity than the defined limit, your bill could skyrocket, resulting in unexpectedly high charges.
It’s important to be aware of the DAC and understand its implications to avoid any financial surprises. To prevent your bill from reaching the highest tariff bracket, it’s essential to adopt energy-saving practices and make conscious efforts to reduce your overall electricity consumption.
By managing your energy usage efficiently, you can stay within lower tariff brackets and effectively control your CFE bill.
How Your Bill is Calculated
Understanding how your CFE bill is calculated is essential to manage your electricity expenses. The bill calculation is based on tiered tariffs, where rates vary depending on the level of consumption.
The Tiered Tariffs: (1, 1A, 1B, etc.) how it’s NOT like home.
The tiered tariff system used by CFE assigns different rates to different consumption levels. In Mexico, the tiered tariffs are denoted by numbers such as 1, 1A, 1B, and so on.
Each tier has a specific rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity consumed. This system is different from what you may be accustomed to in your home country, where a flat rate is often applied to all consumption levels.
Understanding ‘Average Usage’
Average usage of electricity can vary depending on factors such as the climate and lifestyle in a particular location. For example, here in Mazatlan, a coastal city known for its hot climate, air conditioning usage is a significant factor contributing to higher electricity consumption.
Is Electricity Expensive? It’s cheaper than some places, but can add up.
When it comes to electricity expenses, it’s important to consider the context. While electricity rates in Mexico may be cheaper compared to some other countries, the overall cost can still add up depending on your usage.
It’s crucial to be mindful of your electricity consumption and implement energy-saving practices to keep your CFE bill expenses in check.
CFE Bill Survival Guide
To survive your CFE bill and manage your electricity expenses, implementing energy-saving practices is key. Not only will this help reduce your bill, but it will also contribute to less strain on the electricity grid during peak heat periods.
Energy-Saving is Key: Not just for your wallet, but less strain on the grid during peak heat.
When it comes to your CFE bill, saving energy is beneficial both for your wallet and the environment. During peak heat periods, the strain on the electricity grid is higher, and reducing your energy consumption can contribute to a more sustainable energy supply.
Simple habits such as turning off lights when not in use, using natural lighting whenever possible, and avoiding excessive use of appliances can make a significant difference in your bill.
Insider Tricks
In Mazatlan, locals have developed some clever habits to save on their CFE bill. Consider using timers for your appliances, such as setting a timer for the air conditioner to turn off automatically after a certain number of hours.
Additionally, optimizing your AC settings by keeping the temperature at 23° C – you are probably getting the same level of AC as at 19°.
Exploring other energy-efficient alternatives, like using fans instead of AC when possible, can also help keep your bill in check.
Beat the DAC: Practical tips to stay in lower tariff brackets.
One of the ways to manage your CFE bill is by staying in lower tariff brackets to avoid DAC. Be mindful of your energy consumption and try to stay below the consumption threshold that triggers the higher tariffs.
This can be achieved by using energy-efficient appliances, keeping track of your usage, and making conscious efforts to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
What is CFE? Mexico’s national electric company.
CFE, short for Comision Federal de Electricidad, is Mexico’s national electric company. As the key player in the Mexican electricity sector, CFE is responsible for generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity to households and businesses across the country.
Being a government-owned company, CFE plays a crucial role in providing reliable and affordable electricity to meet the needs of the Mexican population.
